The town of Vergas is less than one month away from one of the most thrilling events of the summer in northwest Minnesota: the 2024 Wiener Dog Nationals at Looney Days on Saturday, Aug. 10 at 9 a.m. in Vergas. 

The race is sponsored again this year by Forest Edge Gallery of Vergas, who provides the one-of-a-kind trophies for the top racers. Door prizes will also be awarded so that all contestants have an opportunity to take home a beautiful hand-crafted metal wiener dog statue.

Although most of the contestants are from the local area, approximately 75 sleek wiener dogs from an estimated 10 states will descend upon the neatly-groomed turf at the baseball field in Vergas to sprint their way to the crown of 2024 National Champion. Last year’s national championship race was held in Los Alamitos, Calif.

Planning for this premier event has been underway for over 9 months, as an event of this magnitude requires a tremendous amount of preparation and work. According to Digger Anderson, President of the National Wiener Dog Racing Association (NWDRA), a staff of over 25 people from as far away as Green Bay, Wis., are needed to properly set up and conduct this national race.

The natural grass track is 80-feet long and 40-feet wide, as up to 8 hounds compete in preliminary heat races, trying to stampede their way to the championship race. Owners of the speedy wiener dogs are positioned at each end of the track,
as one owner releases their wiener and begins the sprint to the finish line, where the other owner awaits with its favorite treat or toy to bribe it. 

Bleachers are trucked in from Frazee and Big Lake, Minn., as the track is surrounded with both bleacher and comfortable chair seating to help accommodate the expected 2,500 spectators. The perimeter of the track is designated for ground seating only, so that kids and those willing to sit on the ground can have a clear, close-up view as the sausage dogs fly past to the finish line.

Over 300’ of vinyl fencing is installed to prevent the racers from escaping into the spectator areas. There is ample time throughout the races for spectators to get a close-up visit and to pet their favorite wiener dog (and maybe even get a dog smooch).

No admission is charged for spectators, who are encouraged to arrive early as the best seats begin to fill up well before race time. There is a $15 entry fee per racing hound, or $25 total for a family who enters more than one of these 4-legged sprinters. A dog does not need to be a full-blooded dachshund, as the judges have some flexibility in allowing other dogs to race, providing they are similar in size to a dachshund. Individuals can enter their racer by arriving at the track at 8 a.m., or by mailing a registration form that can be found at www.cityofvergas.com, or on Facebook at Vergas Community Club or 2024 Wiener Dog Nationals at Looney Days.

Youth and adult event T-shirts are available from sizes 2T through XXXXL ($20 limited quantities) at Vergas Hardware, Summers Construction, and Billy’s Corner Bar and Grill in Vergas.

For more information, contact Digger Anderson at (763) 370-9796 or digsisme@gmail.com.