Owners release their hounds during the Dachshund Derby Saturday on the front lawn of the Armory in Marietta. (Photo by Art Smith)

MARIETTA — The first Dachshund Derby took place Saturday with people packed shoulder-to-shoulder at the Armory Square in Marietta.

The event began at noon with a parade from the Armory parking lot to the gazebo at Muskingum Park. Participants dressed their dachshunds in colorful and creative costumes as they walked through town.

After the parade, the races started at 1 p.m. on the Armory lawn. Dachshunds competed in five different race categories based on age, allowing dogs of all life stages to participate. More than 90 dachshunds were registered to compete.

According to the organizer of the event, Kaitlin Streator, who is on the committee for Marietta Main Street this was a passion project brought to reality.

“I moved here to Marietta a few years ago, and I (told) Jen Tinkler with Marietta Main Street that I think a Dachshund Derby would be great for this whole town, and she said, yeah sure,” said Streator. “A bunch of volunteers have been organizing this since January, and I wanted to do it because I love the breed.”

The crowd at the Dachshund Derby on Saturday eagerly watch dogs race on the front lawn of the Armory in Marietta. (Photo by Art Smith)

For those not interested in racing, there were additional contests held at stations around downtown businesses, where pups showcased their skills and competed for prizes for the oldest dachshund, longest ears, shortest legs, best costume and longest body.

The event also had a charitable focus, with a $5 entry fee for competing pups. All the proceeds went toward supporting Marietta Main Street, with additional donations encouraged for the Humane Society of the Mid-Ohio Valley. Vendors. Representatives from the Humane Society set up near the race area, offering pet products, T-shirts and other memorabilia.

Gwen Sour can be reached at gsour@newsandsentinel.com.

Owners release their hounds during the Dachshund Derby Saturday on the front lawn of the Armory in Marietta. (Photo by Art Smith)

The Little Smokies group, which covers puppies up to 1 year old, races during the Dachshund Derby on Saturday in Marietta. (Photo by Gwen Sour)

From left, Maggie and Sam Tuten walk their dog, Dinky, during the parade at the Dachshund Dash Saturday in Marietta. (Photo by Gwen Sour)