Hundfest at Oktoberfest
CULLMAN – The final Saturday of Oktoberfest brought many events to Cullman including the Hundfest at Depot Park for a full day of dog activities. Registration began at 9 a.m. and the races were kicked off at 10 a.m. starting with the Weiner Dog Race. There were around 20 dachshunds registered for the Wiener Dog Race, which was then split up into five heats. Colonel Cullman and Miss Oktoberfest, Tiffany Bell, judged each heat.
The Wiener Dog race winners were: First Place – Mandi and Joseph Billiot and their dog, Harley; Second Place – Cory and Hayley Clark and their dog, Denney; and Third Place – Emily Ball and her dog, Weeta.
The Hundblitz was next at 11 a.m. This race was for all dogs under 12 inches except for wiener dogs. The Hundblitz winners were: First Place – Ashelynn McCluskey and her Chihuahua, Strawberry; Second Place – Linda Morris and her Chihuahua, Minnie Pearl; and Third Place – Christian Borella and his Yorkshire terrier, Lulu.
Linda Morris said, “My favorite parts of the Hundfest are the races and the costume contest.” Her Chihuahua, Minnie Pearl, has raced three times in the past and has won her heat once before. She has also won the costume contest twice in previous years.
Carol Montgomery brought her 3-year-old wiener dog, Oscar, to compete in the Wiener Dog Race. Oscar is deaf so he races by following hand signals. She also brought her 11-year-old Chihuahua, Pete, to participate in the Double Vision competition with Oscar. “We always bring them out and have a fun day with them,” Carol said. Carol and her husband, Craig, have been coming to the Hundfest for about 10 years now.
The Double Vision competition was next. This portion was for dogs that looked alike or dogs that looked like their owner. Oscar and Pete dressed in Auburn attire to match their owner, Carol’s, Auburn outfit. Their competition was Ashelynn McCluskey and her identical Chihuahuas, Shylow and Chip. Colonel Cullman judged the applause of the crowd for each contestant to decide the winner. Both Carol and Ashelynn won.
Dirty Dawg Rescue & Pet Spa hosted the Hundfest activities for the first time this year and hope to continue hosting it for the following years. They offered an opportunity for participants to register for the Canine Good Citizen Testing and gave each participant $5 off for their dog’s next bath at their facility.
The Hundfest was sponsored by Dirty Dawg Rescue & Pet Spa and the Cullman Kiwanis Club.
