LAKEPORT, Calif. – Lakeport's fifth annual Oktoberfest event on Saturday celebrated German culture with food, music and racing dachshunds.
The Lake County Chamber of Commerce hosted the event on Main Street from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
A highlight of the day was the Dachshund Derby, which pitted the fastest little dogs against each other in pursuit of cash prizes and other goodies.
This year's winner in the miniature division was “Bube,” an Iowa-born, 3-year-old miniature long-haired dachshund owned by Judy Six of Lakeport.
Bube – which Six said means “jack of hearts” in German – was defending his win in last year's event.
Six said that after Bube's 2013 win, she wanted to race him again to see if his speed in the racing setting was a fluke.
“It wasn't,” she said after the race.
Six used some strategy and preparation in getting Bube ready for the race, including walking the course and making sure she had plenty of his favorite treat – beef hearts – on hand.
It worked, and Bube raced to first place, followed by Echo, owned by Upper Lake resident Nicky Phillips. A dachshund named Lydia placed third.
After the race, Phillips and Echo visited with Bube, with the two dogs cordially touching noses.
Phillips has had the 2-year-old Echo since she was a puppy.
Echo is deaf, so Phillips used hand signals to help guide her during the racing competition.
Bube received a $75 cash prize for his owner, while Echo received a bag of treats from Rainbow Ag for her performance.
Six said she intends to retire Bube from racing, explaining that the annual Dachshund Derby meant to be a fun event. “Everyone should get a chance.”
Six does have another competitor she'll be training for next year's competition – “Hank,” a 1-year-old dachshund mix.
Hank was entered in the races on Saturday. He competed in a heat of four dogs, three of which didn't move from the starting line.
To see a sampling of the day's highlights, including the Dachshund Derby, see the video above.
Email Elizabeth Larson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Follow her on Twitter, @ERLarson, or Lake County News, @LakeCoNews.
VIDEO: Oktoberfest celebrated in Lakeport; last year's Dachshund Derby winner repeats
- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On