Despite the rainy weather, devoted dachshund owners gathered once again at Steamboat Landing Park in Belfast on September 7th for the 21st Wienerfest. Familiar faces returned to enjoy the festivities, including the popular costume contest and the always-exciting Doxie Derby.
Thank you to our panel of costume judges which included Jill Parker, PAWS Board President, Scott and daughter Scarlett from the Belfast Chamber, and Selina Chen from Tealight Studios in Portland.
This year’s costume contest winners were a pair of young dachshunds from Bradley, ME named Franklin and Hank. Their costume was described as ‘Jurassic Park.’ Amongst the runners up was last year’s winner, Primrose from Limerick, ME who was dressed as a ‘Long Bottomed Loon’ as well as 12-year-old Princess from Orland, ME who dressed as an ‘Old Lady.’
The winner of the Doxie Derby's 'Mini' category—reserved for dachshunds under 12 pounds—was 5-year-old Oakley from Cornville, ME. In the 'Standard' category for dachshunds 12 pounds and up, 8-year-old Moose claimed the trophy for the second year in a row. Meanwhile, Toby, a Norfolk Terrier from Belmont, ME, nearing his 9th birthday, took top honors in the 'Wannabe' category, open to non-dachshund breeds under 40 pounds. The two winning dachshunds then competed for the title of ‘Overall Doxie Champion,’ where Moose successfully defended his crown and emerged victorious once again. Toby then challenged Moose to a race-off, but Moose proved unstoppable, clinching another win.
Wienerfest is a fundraiser for P.A.W.S. Animal Adoption Center (pawscares.org) based out of Camden. P.A.W.S. serves the communities of Appleton, Belmont, Camden, Rockport, Lincolnville, Belfast, Hope, Northport, Searsmont, Liberty, Islesboro and Swanville. Once they have been uploaded you will be able to view more photos on the Maine Wienerfest Facebook page or website mainewienerfest.com.
Photo Credit: Debra Bell, Bell’s Furry Friends Pet Photography, www.bffpetphotos.com
