A race between long little dogies will highlight this weekend’s activities at the Wyoming State Winter Fair in Lander.
Wiener Dog Races — where organizers promise there will be “no losers … only wieners,” will top the morning’s activities at the Lander Rodeo Grounds on Saturday.
The race is the first of its kind for the 52-year-old State Winter Fair, said Yvette Broadhead, the fair’s president.
“The Fremont County Fair in Riverton is putting it on for us,” Broadhead said. “They called us and said it would be a fun event and we just jumped on board because we thought it was excellent. We’re all excited for it.”
Races featuring 10 dachshunds will be held until the field for a championship race is filled. Broadhead said organizers hope competitors will come from across Wyoming to take part.
Another major event of the weekend will be a miniature bull riding competition.The Ultimate Miniature Bullriding event, put on by Howl Rodeo Bulls, features young athletes — under the age of 15 — competing on bulls that are smaller than those usually seen in rodeos.
Ultimate Miniature Bullriding is a national program designed to help young aspiring bull riders learn more about the sport by giving them a chance to compete.
The competition has been a feature at the winter fair for some years, Broadhead said.
“Those kids are so good,” she said. “The whole crowd just loves them.”
The weekend begins with team roping on Friday and will wrap up Sunday with a horse show at the rodeo grounds arena.
The State Winter Fair was created in 1967 as a way to give people something to do during the long winter months, Broadhead said. The year’s fair had to be held over two weekends because of scheduling issues at various venues. Activities held on Feb. 23 included a duct tape fashion show, live music and a talent show.
For more information, visit the Wyoming State Winter Fair website at WyomingStateWinterFair.org.
