ROCKAWAY BEACH, Ore. — “Get set, go!” says a loud booming voice as racers take off down the track. Hundreds of spectators cheers as the furry Dachshunds run, some toward the finish line and others, not so much.
The Firecracker Wiener Nationals took over Rockaway Beach, Oregon on July 4. For over a decade, the charity event has taken place on the holiday weekend.
“Where better to celebrate than at the Firecracker Wiener Nationals?” said Skye Dahl who traveled with his family from Camas.
The Dahls said they recently lost a Dachshund of their own and enjoyed being around so many dogs.
Over 40 wiener dogs competed, running in heats of four or five. The top two in each race move on to the next round, until a winner is crowned.
Photos: Wiener dog race on Oregon Coast
“’Go fast, stay low’, wise words for everybody,” said Christopher Willett with a smile as he held up a t-shirt from the event.
Willett says his family has attended the dog races for years, proudly pointing out a hat from a prior year.
“As soon as we heard about the [dog race] we started pivoting and making this part of our family ritual when we’re out here for 4th of July.”
All the money raised from selling t-shirts, hats and hot dogs during the event is donated to the Tillamook Animal Shelter.
“It is huge,” said Maria Nagy, shelter president. “It means a lot to us to have this many people come out to an event especially here in our little town, our little county.”