World’s Largest Wiener Dog Race Readies For Biggest Edition Yet
Starkville, MS – The world’s largest wiener dog race and award-winning festival, The Starkville Derby, is set for the biggest edition yet on April 25th.
With over 250 racers from 24 states and crowds in the tens of thousands, the Starkville Derby is the yearly pilgrimage for fanciers of the short-legged thoroughbreds, attracting fans from across the country.
This year’s race will include racers traveling from as far as Rhode Island and Washington. The Derby’s past champions have all included travelers from outside of the Magnolia State: 2023 and 2024 champions hailed from Georgia, and last year’s champ, Forest, raced in from Texas.
More than a race, the Derby is also one of the largest arts festivals in the southeast, with 192 food and art vendors currently approved for its Boardtown Pizza and Pints Arts Festival. It also features the pageantry of the Old Dominick Call to Post, world-famous Mutt Juleps, flyovers, a giant kids’ zone, live music, and the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile.
“We are so excited to welcome even more of our friends to the next edition of the world’s largest wiener dog race. It is a testament to how great our team, athletes, event, and town are,” said Alden Thornhill, Founder and Host of the Starkville Derby. “Our team can’t wait to welcome so many new folks, both two- and four-legged, to the greatest show on turf on April 25th!”
A multi-award winner, the Derby has been tabbed as the Mississippi Tourism Association’s Best Large Festival, the Mississippi Main Street Association’s Best Creative Large Event, and one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Signature Events of the Southeast.
The fourth edition of the multi-award-winning event will run on April 25th, with its multi-camera HD broadcast starting at 11 AM CST on the Starkville Derby YouTube channel (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHeK3K7EJ0ICtHsWalxiAZw/) and Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/starkvillederby/).
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About the Starkville Derby
Founded in 2023 by a group of friends, the Starkville Derby is the world’s largest dachshund race and festival, attracting 250+ racers from 24 states, garnering tens of thousands of festival attendees, creating millions of social media impressions, and raising over 150,000 dollars for shelter pets. Learn more about the Derby by visiting thestarkvillederby.com (http://thestarkvillederby.com/), follow us on social media @starkvillederby, or contact media@thestarkvillederby.com
About Visit Mississippi
Celebrated as the Hospitality State and proudly known as the Birthplace of America’s Music, Mississippi invites visitors to experience a rich tapestry of culture, history and unforgettable adventures. From the soulful sounds of the Delta to the serene beauty of the Gulf Coast and Appalachian foothills, Mississippi is a destination where every journey tells a story.
Visit Mississippi, a division of the Mississippi Development Authority, serves as the state’s official destination marketing organization. As storytellers and cultural ambassadors, we champion Mississippi through strategic global marketing, innovative partnerships, and creative collaboration. Our mission is to elevate the state’s thriving tourism economy and inspire visitors from around the world to discover the magic that is Mississippi.
Learn more at visitmississippi.org/music.
