STAFFORD — Millie the Weather Dog will be a guest of honor during the  6th Stafford Oktoberfest Wiener Dog Races Saturday.
Millie, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, is owned by Ross Janssen, KWCH-TV meteorologist. Millie will be able to view more than 70 dachshunds in the state’s largest Wiener Dog Races Saturday. Final registration runs from 11:30 to 1:30 p.m. and racing starts at 2 p.m. in downtown Stafford.
Julynn Kisner started the Wiener Dog Races six years ago in an attempt to energize Stafford’s Oktoberfest, which is celebrating its 25th anniversary. It’s developed into a premier event that attracts entries from several states.
She said successful owners show the dachshund a toy or treat as an incentive to reach the finish line. Dogs race in small heats and the winners advance.
“The children love the races because they are so unpredictable,” she said.
The group’s facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/Oktoberfestwienerraces) offers up-to-date information.
For information, call Whitlock, (620) 546-4377.
Stafford High’s Derek McClure has created the Wiener Dog Racing trophies through the Stafford SEED program.
Students in Stafford’s  “Jobs for America’s Graduates” program will also participate led by instructor Patrick Dake. The JAG program is a national educational and employment system designed to improve graduation rates and academic achievement to help students succeed in school and in the workplace.
The standard size dachshund was bred to seek badgers and other burrow-dwelling animals. Miniature dachshunds were developed to hunt smaller prey such as rabbits. In the American West, dachshunds have been used to hunt prairie dogs.
The dogs’ unique names featured “Pronto Pup,”  “Jimmy Dean,” and “Rambo,” among last year’s entries.
Kisner said the Weiner Dog Races are a reunion weekend with people she sees one time a year.
“I’m so busy that I don’t get time to visit with everyone, but I’ve met some amazing people I never would have met and started some great friendships,” she said. “It’s fun being around this environment.”
Proceeds of the race and raffles benefit the Pawnee County Humane Society in Larned and the Training To Lead program at Stafford High School.  The program teams non-traditional students with dogs from the Pratt Humane Shelter for a 26-week training program. The dogs are trained to certified therapy dog certification.
Stafford High teacher Mike Cargill directs the class. The students receive high school credit and spend time with the dogs to prepare them to work as service animals at the end of the school year.
“The dogs are trained to be companion animals and it’s gratifying to receive letters that their life has improved and that we’re doing something nice to help people,” Kisner said.
Donations pay for upkeep and preventative care for the dogs, which receive medical care at South Fork Veterinary Hospital in Pratt.
Friday features a pig feed and a homecoming football game.
Miss Kansas Amanda Sasek will also be part of the Octoberfest parade at 11 a.m. Saturday. Tanganyika Wildlife Park will bring an alligator and penguin to the festivities at 1:15 p.m. Saturday.
More than 40 artists and craftsmen will exhibit their skills such as woodworking, stained glass; candlemaking and concrete paving stones.

STAFFORD OKTOBERFEST
Saturday’s events
8:30 a.m.— 2 mile walk/5K run, Main, Broadway
10 a.m.-4 p.m.—Crafts, Food vendors
10:30 a.m.—Parade line-up, Broadway at Buffalo St.
10:30 a.m.— Children’s parade line-up, S. Main at Crawford St
11 a.m.— Main Street parade
11:30 a.m.--1:30 p.m. — Wiener dog registration, N. Main
Noon—National Anthem
Noon—Big Boys Toy Show, S. Main
Noon—Petting Zoo. Stafford Courier
Noon—Beer Garden. city office
Noon—Kids crafts, Home Depot, Lowe’s
12:15 p.m. — Janet Vasey Hardin, Keith Vasey, Rick Stapleton
12:45 p.m.—Cow Pie Bingo, Stafford Courier
12:45 p.m. — Stafford High School band, choir
1 p.m. — Horseshoe Tournament, mini-park, S. Main
1:15 p.m. — Tanganyika Wildlife Show  
2 p.m.—Wiener Dog Races
2:15 p.m.—Logan Schultz
3 p.m.—Cow Patty Bingo, by the stage
3 p.m.—Barry Jones
3:45 p.m.—Cutest Baby Contest
5:30 p.m. — SHS Alumni banquet, Trojan Hall
7:30 p.m. — Kids Movie, Ritz Theater