The annual Oktoberfest celebration in Old Munichburg will look a little different this year.
Due to public health concerns, the Old Munichburg Association announced this year's event, set for Sept. 26, would be more of a "'mini' celebration" that will feature brats, beer and wine, vendors and the annual Mid Mo Old Car Club Show.
Not included in the celebration is live music, a kids' corner and the always entertaining Dachshund Derby.
But dachshund fans can still celebrate this year by participating in the second annual Oktoberfest Dachshund Beauty Contest, held by Butterfly Treasure Hospice Resale Shop. Contest categories include Moxie Doxie Pups, for those six months or younger; Special Seniors, for those eight years or older; Doxie Duos, for pairs; Dapper/Dive Doxie, for a male and/or female dog; and Best Action Shot.
To enter, send a photo of your favorite dachshund, along with the category, dog's name, your name and email address, to [email protected] or to Butterfly Treasure Hospice Resale Shop on Facebook Messenger. All information must be included in order to be entered.
The contest ends at 5 p.m. Sept. 21, and the winners will be announced on Facebook Live during the Oktoberfest celebration Sept. 26.
Crystal Ramsey, office manager and program development specialist at the Missouri Hospice & Palliative Care Association, said they opted to start the contest last year after moving the resale shop to Jefferson Street, which was right on the edge of the Oktoberfest celebrations. In an effort to take part in the Old Munichburg tradition and stay on theme, the Dachshund Beauty Contest was born.
This year features one main difference, Ramsey said, and that is the categories. In the first year, they really didn't have any specific categories but quickly learned they were needed.
"We weren't really sure what we were doing, we were just kind of trying it out," Ramsey said.
A woman who used to work with the association and has a background in professional dog shows is judging the contest, she said. And while the announcement of the winners will be done on Facebook Live from the shop on Jefferson Street, Ramsey said the shop will be open to the public and usually features some snacks and other things to make the experience fun and line up with Oktoberfest.
"We try to make it really fun," she said, noting last year, she and another employee dressed in tradition German dresses and braids.
With the cancellation of the usual Dachshund Derby, Ramsey said they're hoping for even better participation than last year as derby fans get their annual dachshund dose from the online contest.
"Last year, we had a really good turnout with it, so this year maybe we can get a little more," Ramsey said.