South Beach Dachshund Winterfest

It's free.  This is an informal gathering in a public park.  There is no admission fee.

It's a festive day out for dachshunds.  Dogs and people socialize.  Strangers marvel.  There are a few dog-oriented activities.  Sometimes there is a speech by a local dachshund-loving dignitary.  NEW FOR THIS YEAR, WE'LL HAVE A "DACHSHUND DELIRIUM CONTEST" AS WELL - see the Home Page for categories. We end with a spirited singing of the Dach Song and a Grand March.

We start at 12:00 noon and are done by 2:00.  Some linger, others leave earlier.

Normally, most dogs arrive au naturel with a few dressing for the occasion (as hot dogs, cowboys, divas, beach babes, politicians, you name it).  BUT FOR 2010, WE WILL HAVE OUR FIRST "DACHSHUND DELIRIUM CONTEST" - CHECK THE HOME PAGE FOR CATEGORIES!

Yes!  All "weenie wanna be's" are made Honorary Dachshunds for the day.  Your non-dachshund should be prepared for a little outraged barking, but don't mistake this for being unwelcome.  It's just Long Leg Envy, articulated. 

Dachshund Rescue of South Florida (www.DachshundRescueSouthFlorida.com) has bottled water for sale.  Proceeds go to dachshund rescue efforts.

There's no food for people (it's a small park so you can bring picnic items), but dog-friendly outdoor cafes can be found all over Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road.  Attendees can often be spotted dining and drinking in style after the festivities.

While the Winterfest is a non-commercial event, Dachshund Rescue of South Florida (www.DachshundRescueSouthFlorida.com) sells water and various doggie items, as well as Official South Beach Dachshund Winterfest T-shirts.  Florida Dachshund Rescue (www.FLDR.org) holds a raffle for some wonderful dachshund-related items.  

We're in the grassy area on the east side of Ocean Drive in Miami Beach, called Lummus Park.  We meet between 11th and 12th Streets.  The easiest approach from 95 is via 395 (aka the MacArthur Causeway). Go straight when you hit Miami Beach (you'll be on Fifth Street) until you can't go any farther, then take a left onto Ocean Drive. 

Parking can be a challenge in South Beach but everyone seems to find a spot.  Public parking costs $1.25/hour and most spaces use machines that take cash and credit cards.  There are metered spaces on Ocean Drive and the side streets.  There is a small public parking garage on 13th between Ocean & Collins (entrance on 13th), and a large one at 7th & Collins (entrance on 7th).  There are other lots and garages as well: http://web.miamibeachfl.gov/parking/scroll.aspx?id=30920

We are smitten by our little dogs -- loyal, demanding, hilarious, stubborn, articulate, opinionated comfort-seeking missiles of love.  The rest of the world sees a funny looking dog but we know better.  We are mere dachshund servants, ruled by our better halves. (eighths? sixteenths?)

The Winterfest is fashioned after the popular Octoberfests and Spring Fiestas in New York City, gatherings we sorely missed after moving to Miami.  We figured South Beach could handle one more quirky event and created a dachshund social affair with a tropical spin. 

We started with 30 hot dogs at the first 'Fest in 2003.  Last year, more than 300 dachshunds attended.  We've been feted by Ocean Drive hot spots such as The Tides Hotel and The Palace Bar, presented with keys to the city by Miami Beach officials, and hounded by the media (NBC's South Florida Today, Channel 10 News, Miami Herald, Wire, Miami New Times, Miami Sunpost).  The Mayor even ceded temporary control over the government in 2007.  Dachshund power knows no bounds.

But mostly, we take the day to honor the wonderful loving silly dachshund, our little "haute dogs", stretch limos of the canine world, twisters of our minds, capturers of our hearts.