Wiener dogs and some folks who love them are a-twitter over the 18th running of the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals, which will be held at Los Alamitos Race Course on Saturday, July 20. The dogs, dachsunds actually, have become popular attractions at the races in which their tiny legs sprint them enthusiastically down the track usually reserved for horses.
Proceeds from the annual event benefit the Seal Beach Animal Care Center. The non-profit group, which recently celebrated 25 years of volunteering on behalf of man’s furry friends, is dedicated to finding homes for stray animals in the Orange County area.
The Wienerschnitzel Wiener National festivities will get underway at 6:30 p.m. The fun will also include a live, horse-racing program featuring Los Alamitos’ top horses. The Wiener Nationals Championship race will be held at approximately 9:15 p.m.
With 80 dachshunds strutting their stuff in front of a packed house at Los Alamitos, a total of 10 trial heats will be contested at 50 yards with the winning wieners advancing to the championship race. From the bugler’s call to the post, to an official starting gate and colorful owners and trainers racing their doxies in numbered silks, the Wiener Nationals features heart pounding excitement from beginning to end. The participants were selected from the hundreds of creative entries received. Contestants include participants from Cypress, Los Alamitos, Seal Beach, Long Beach and other surrounding cities.
People who attend the Wiener Nationals will be able to meet the stars of the night – the mighty wiener dogs – and their trainers/owners on the grandstand area throughout this fun family night.
The purpose of this fun event is to raise funds for the Seal Beach Animal Care Center, a non-profit group dedicated to finding homes for stray animals in the Orange County area. Since 1996, the Wienerschnitzel Wiener Nationals has helped raised over $220,000 for the Care Center.
The Seal Beach Animal Care Center is selling tickets to the event with all proceeds from these sales going directly to the Seal Beach Animal Care Center. Last year’s event raised approximately $20,000 through ticket sales and t-shirt sales on the day of the event. For more information on the Care Center please call (562) 430-4993.
In addition, tickets can also be purchased on the day of the event at Los Alamitos Race Course on a first come first seat basis.
Admission at the track is $3 for adults; Children 17 and under are free. General parking is free. VIP seating is also available in the Vessels Club, the track’s luxurious restaurant that overlooks the finish line.
Los Alamitos Race Course is located at 4961 Katella Avenue in Los Alamitos. For more informantion call (714) 820-2800. For VIP accommodations call 714-820-2681.
