A small group of dachshunds raced down a short track the morning of April 1st during the Spring Conference, a Starkville tourism summit offering tourism directors from across the state an overview of Starkville’s annual Dachshund Derby, which will return to The Cotton District on April 25.
The preview race featured approximately 10 dogs, serving as a scaled-down version of the main event. The derby is expected to include over 300 racing dachshunds.
During the official derby, dachshunds compete in short sprint races along a track approximately 100 feet in length. Dogs are released from starting boxes and race toward their owners at the finish line, advancing through multiple rounds until a champion is determined.
Alden Thornhill, the founder and director of the Starkville Dachshund Derby, said the scaled-down race was organized especially for the Spring Conference.
“The Mississippi Tourism Association was holding its annual summit in Starkville,” Thornhill said. “Paige Hunt inquired about hosting a mini derby for the tourism professionals, and I agreed.”
The demonstration race allowed tourism officials to observe the event prior to the official derby. Thornhill reached out to local dog owners participating in the event, although he noted that only a small number of participants were involved compared to the overall event.
“We just had a very miniature version today with 10 dogs rather than 315 dogs,” Thornhill said.
The actual derby has expanded significantly since its inception four years ago. According to Thornhill, the inaugural race included approximately 120 dachshunds. As photos and videos circulated on social media, participation increased annually.
“Word starts spreading,” Thornhill said. “Then we got up to about 180 dogs, and now we’re in year four, and it’s gone wild.”
This year’s derby is projected to include 315 dogs from 25 states. Thornhill indicated that the participating dachshunds will collectively travel an estimated 28,000 miles to reach Starkville.
While the dog race itself is the main event, additional attractions will be available for attendees to enjoy on the day of the derby. In addition, vendors will transform the Cotton District into a large outdoor market with artists, food and small businesses occupying the streets during the event. According to Thornhill, visitors can expect over 200 art and food vendors throughout the Cotton District, making the event one of the largest art festivals in Mississippi.
“We’re the second largest art festival in the state behind the Walter Anderson Festival in Ocean Springs,” Thornhill said.
Additional entertainment is planned, including live music by the Sam Grisman Project string band, a performance featuring a clown and a trained dog and the return of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, a promotional vehicle shaped like a hot dog. The Wienermobile has become a recurring attraction at the derby and is expected to return this year.
For those unable to attend in person, organizers are expanding the event’s reach with a live broadcast. Thornhill stated that the derby will be livestreamed with a multi-camera setup and commentators, enabling viewers nationwide to watch the races.
“We have about 50 bars and restaurants across the country that are going to livestream our broadcast,” Thornhill said. “It’ll be like an ESPN-style setup.”
While Thornhill manages the event with a planning committee, he noted that much of the behind-the-scenes work is performed by Mississippi State students serving as interns and volunteers who coordinate race logistics, vendors and event scheduling.
Paige Hunt, director of tourism for the Greater Starkville Development Partnership, described the derby as one of the most distinctive experiences available to visitors in a college town setting.
“There’s nothing like 100 feet of track and more than 100 weenie dogs running races in the Cotton District surrounded by restaurants and bars,” Hunt said. “It just brings people out, and it feels like springtime has arrived.”
Starkville tourism officials report that the event has quickly become one of the city’s most recognizable spring traditions. To make sure it is enjoyable for everyone, Hunt stated that the derby is designed to be accessible to the entire community.
“It’s a family-friendly event on a Saturday in April in Starkville,” Hunt said. “There are art vendors, kids zones, and food. It’s a great way to spend the day exploring the Cotton District.”
State tourism leaders assert that events such as the Dachshund Derby play a significant role in attracting visitors to communities throughout Mississippi. Rochelle Hicks, the director of Visit Mississippi, stated that the event is notable for its originality and its ability to attract participants from across the country.
“It’s a unique event that I don’t think is done anywhere else in the state,” Hicks said. “The dogs entering the contest come from all over the United States, and it gives people who may have never been to Starkville the opportunity to experience the city.”
Tourism represents one of Mississippi’s largest industries. Hicks stated that according to Visit Mississippi, the state welcomed 44.2 million visitors in 2024, generating $18.1 billion in economic impact. Hicks stated that events such as the Dachshund Derby allow smaller communities to benefit from this tourism, as visitors frequently stay overnight, dine at local restaurants and explore area businesses.
“When tourists come into a community, they spend money that wasn’t there previously,” Hicks said. “That supports local businesses and helps communities grow.”
