Dachshunds invade Girdwood

Rotary and Girdwood Brewery Coordinate Fall Festival Fun

By Brooks Chandler

TN Contributor

With impeccable timing the Girdwood Rotary Club hosted its second Fall Festival at Girdwood Town Square Park Saturday on the first day of fall, Sept. 21.  

Dry skies and a blessed burst of afternoon sun lent a soothing aura to fairgoers wandering past a variety of booths.  

A Dog Parade was one of the many activities at the Girdwood Rotary Fall Festival Saturday.  (Photo by Brooks Chandler)

The sense of community was palpable as friends and neighbors reconnected. Kids played corn hole, “Ring the Stump” and blew giant bubbles in the park center. Pumpkins abounded and provided a lovely backdrop for family photos.

But dogs were by far the stars of the fair—not only the hot dogs sold next door from one of Girdwood’s newest food trucks—but a stunning array of dachshunds.  

Who knew so many of these “hot dogs” lived in Anchorage and Girdwood?  

Yet there they were parading from the park to Girdwood Brewery in a variety of costumes: green checked hats, pink boas, hot dog coats, and doggy lederhosen.   

Neither dogs nor dog owners seemed uncomfortable to be seen in such finery. Traffic was backed up on Alyeska Highway as dozens of dogs and owners crossed from the bike path to the brewery where a dog race was held. Results were not available at press time.

The Girdwood Rotary Fall Festival was a huge success with many vendors, non-profits, games, face-painting and a Chili Cookoff for people to participate in.  (Photo by Brooks Chandler)

Rotary member Erin Eker was in charge of this year’s festival. She said Rotary saw the event as “community giveback” and a way for Girdwood to “have fun”.  

The Dachshund connection came via Tim Ball of Girdwood Brewing—a devoted Dachshund dad. Eker said last year it was just by coincidence the Brewery happened to be hosting a Dachshund-themed day on the same day as the fall festival.  

This year Rotary and the brewery coordinated the events. If fun was the goal the goal was achieved. Here’s hoping for a third festival in 2025.

More dog photos in the parade donated to the Turnagain News from Darby Andrews.