Doxie Derby: Rescue Race

Thirty Dachshunds, One Very Short Track

There is no sophisticated way to explain why this is fun. It is a dachshund race. Great Country Farms lines up a field of very short dogs, points them down a very short track, and lets go. Some sprint. Some sit down. Some run directly into the arms of the nearest stranger. The whole thing takes seconds and the crowd loses its mind every single heat, and if you have a kid who loves animals, this will be the story they tell at school on Monday.

The derby raises money for Tucker WRLD, a dog rescue based in Loudoun County, so the silliness has a point. Tickets run $5 to $12 and the race starts at 4pm. You do not need to own a dachshund to come watch, though if you do own one, there is an entry option. Since you are already driving out to Bluemont, build the afternoon around it: the farm's play area, the mountain views, and the pick-your-own fields are all right there, so arrive early and let the kids run before the dogs do.

Parent Tips 💡

• ✓Arrive early. Come at 2 or 3, let the kids burn energy in the play area, then take a spot at the track.
• ✓Get low. The dogs are eight inches tall. Kids at the rail see everything; adults behind them see backs of heads.
• ✓Check the farm's ticket page. Entry to the derby and general farm admission are handled separately.
• ✓Dress for a farm. Dirt, hay, and closed shoes. This is not a sandals afternoon.
• ✓Talk about the rescue. The whole thing benefits shelter dogs, and kids get that instantly.