Kasson’s Wurst Dog Derby May Be the Cutest Chaos You’ll See All Year

On your mark, get set... START YOUR WIENERS! 🐕💨

Hold on to your lederhosen, because the wildly popular Wurst Dog Derby is back for its third year of wiener-racing action in Southeast Minnesota!

This is by far my favorite Oktoberfest event in Minnesota. Imagine dozens of determined dachshunds zooming down the track, ears flapping in the wind, all for a chance to be crowned the fastest wiener in the Midwest.

SEE ALSO: Chaotic Good Brewery in Kasson is Back!

Kasson Oktoberfest 2025 featuring the 3rd Annual Wurst Dog Derby

The 2025 Wurst Dog Derby will take place at the Zumbro Valley Golf Course in Mantorville on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at 1:00 PM to officially kick off the Kasson Chamber of Commerce annual Oktoberfest celebration.

This year, organizers aren’t just looking for the speediest little sausages; they’re also on the hunt for the best derby hat! That’s right, the brand-new Wurst Dog Derby Hat Contest will take place right after the races. Design or purchase your flashiest, funniest, or most fabulous derby hat for a chance to win.

The pet costume contest is also back this year with a prize for the best-dressed pup!

Whether your dachshund is a seasoned sprinter or just loves to strut those stubby legs, this is the perfect chance to let them shine. With only 25 spots available, registration fills up fast. Use the button above to get your wiener dog entered.

The derby is free to enter and attend, but donations to the Small Dog Rescue of Minnesota are encouraged. Back again this year is celebrity announcer Curt St. John from Quick Country 96.5, calling every thrilling finish.

Prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place, best-dressed dog (optional), and now, the derby hat contest winner! Every pup that participates will go home with a gift.

Here’s a look at the action from past Wurst Dog Derbies:

The fun doesn’t stop with the Wurst Dog Derby!

Kasson’s Oktoberfest has a full lineup of fun planned for the same day, Saturday, September 27th.

After the dachshunds dash, head into downtown Kasson for a jam-packed afternoon of quirky fun. Grab a beverage from the Legion or Tammy's Place and walk Main Street browsing the vendor market, cheer on the parachuting hot dogs, watch llamas tackle an obstacle course, or jump into classic games like tire flipping and potato sack racing.

Meet Celebrity Dachshunds Tug & Tuke!

Stop by The Studio Events to meet Tug & Tuke, two celebrity dachshunds who will also be racing in the derby! They’ll be signing books, and kids will get a free copy. Coloring pages and stickers will be available, too.

Here's the full lineup of activities for Oktoberfest in Kasson:

Wiener Dog Races at ZVGC

• 12:30 pm: Registration begins (Zumbro Valley Golf Course)
• 1:00 pm: Wiener dog races, pet costume contest, Derby hat contest

Tons of Activities in Kasson After the Races

1:30–4:00 pm Downtown Activities:

• Vendor Market
• Llama obstacle course
• Root Beer Floats
• Tire flipping
• Potato sack races
• Pretzel necklaces & Goats
• Face painting
• Signed Tug & Tuke books (1 per kid)
• Brass Quartet
• Hot Dogs & Brats by Hyvee
• Coloring Contest
• Wiener dog coloring page & hot dog special at the golf course
• Pics with Bigfoot

Later Activities:

• 2:00 pm: Bingo with kids' prizes at The Studio
• 3:00 pm: Hot dog drop by the Fire Department
• 4:00 pm: Beer & root beer mile starting at the American Legion
• 5:00 pm: Sauerkraut eating contest at the American Legion
• 6:00 pm: Music on the American Legion patio

Pub Crawl

• 12–8 pm: Participate in the Pub Crawl at participating businesses to win prizes: (Hidden Pines, Hubbell House, Kasson American Legion, Tammy’s Place, Zumbro Valley Golf Course)

And keep an eye out! You might run into local celebrity Great Danes Moose & Millie making the rounds!