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By MACKENZEE SIMMS | Staff Writer

HELENA – A fleet of Dachshunds bounded down a grassy track, barreling toward their owners across the finish line. Across the field, parents raised steins in celebration, while children stuffed their faces with pretzels.

For the final installment of Old Town Live, attendees gathered at the Helena Amphitheater on Saturday, Sept. 21 for an Oktoberfest celebration featuring competitions, German melodies and a Dachshund race.

Similar to other Old Town Live concerts, the event was organized by the Helena Old Town Board. HOT Board treasurer John Barnes shared that the event was well attendance despite the unusual late September heat.

“We had a great event,” Barnes said. “It was hotter than we thought it was going to be, but we got a good turnout. We are estimating anywhere between 2000 to 2500 people came out throughout the day. The events were super fun. We had a great time.”

Unlike other Old Town Live events, Helena’s Oktoberfest lasted all day, starting with an opening toast by Councilmember Hal Woodman at 11 a.m. and concluding with The Vegabond’s set at 7:30 p.m.

Guests participated in several activities throughout the day, spaced out between performances from the Bavarian Express and the Alabama Accordion Association.

Some tested their strength with the keg toss, hurling kegs down a field to see how far they could travel. Others tried their hand at stein hoisting where one has to keep a stein that is filled to the brim aloft in the air without spilling a drop. Meanwhile, children as old as six years old tested their mettle with a pretzel eating contest.

In addition, Helena’s Oktoberfest featured a Dachshund race.

Each racing team featured one Dachshund and two people. One person would hold the dog at the start line, while the other tried to keep the Dachshund’s attention behind the finish line.

In total, there were three races and then a final. In some heats, the competition was tight as the dogs barreled down the field toward their ecstatic owners. In other races, the dogs were a little more focused on making friends and rolling around than crossing the finish line.

In the finale, a huge upset rocked the crowd as the fastest Dachshund in the race turned around just a few paws away from the finish line to intercept the second place dog in the other line. Meanwhile, the third place dog passed them both and sailed across the finish unchallenged to take home the trophy.

At the end of the night, The Vegabonds took the stage to perform a set of alternative, southern rock in classic Old Town Live style to wrap up a day of festivities.

According to Woodman in his toast, the day was full of laughter between friends, celebrating Helena as a community.

“We gather by the banks of Buck Creek. / In Helena town, where the ducks do speak, / With friends we love, we laugh and cheer, / To celebrate this special year! / The creek flows strong, the beer flows fast, / May the joy of today forever last. / So lift your stein, let’s drink a toast / To Helena Alabama…Prost,” Woodman said.

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