CINCINNATI — Hot dog!
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati’s annual Running of the Wieners dog race will take place a day earlier than usual. This year’s race will feature 100 dachshunds dashing down Freedom Way between Walnut Street and Rosa Parks Way starting at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 19.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati organizers, the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber traditionally hosts the Running of the Wieners at 11 a.m. Friday, hours before the beginning of the first evening of the three-day German heritage festival each year.
The chamber announced on Aug. 15 it would expand this year’s Oktoberfest by officially starting the festival at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 20 instead of the traditional time of 6 p.m. Cincinnati Mayor John Cranley also declared Friday a city-wide half-day holiday.
RELATED: Oktoberfest Zinzinnati extends hours, mayor declares city-wide holiday
“With our expanded Oktoberfest Zinzinnati hours, the Running of the Wieners will now be held on Thursday. Bring your co-workers, friends and family - one day early - for the unofficial kickoff to Oktoberfest Zinzinnati,” said Lori Salzarulo, the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber’s senior event manager.
Oktoberfest Zinzinnati 2019 will run from 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday. The festival will once again line Second and Third streets between Elm and Walnut streets, downtown.
Dog owners can register their dachshund to participate in the wiener dog race via Oktoberfest Zinzinnati’s website. It costs $35 to participate in the race. The chamber will provide four-legged participants a hot dog bun costume to wear as they run approximately 75 feet. The dachshunds will run in heats of ten with the winner of each heat competing in a final race to determine who is top dog.
Prizes will then be awarded to the first, second and third place wieners. The event is free for spectators.
