FRANKENMUTH, MI — The annual Frankenmuth Dog Bowl festival, billed as the world’s largest Olympic-style festival for dogs, will return to Michigan’s “Little Bavaria” this Memorial Day weekend.
The festival, to take place Saturday and Sunday, May 24-25, at Frankenmuth River Place Shops, will offer a weekend full of fun for dog lovers and their four-legged friends.
Dog Bowl is open to the public at no cost and features more than 25 scheduled events and over 20 competitions in which pets can participate.
The festival takes place at the shopping center, 925 S Main St., and surrounding event fields.
The nonprofit event promotes responsible pet ownership and supports various community initiatives through education and public programming, according to event organizers.
Among the highlights are the Wiener Dog Races, held at 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Frankenmuth Credit Union Event Field. More than 200 Dachshunds are expected to compete. Registration begins on site at 4 p.m. at the Wiener Dog Registration Tent.
Barn Hunt, another featured event, takes place from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at the Frankenmuth Credit Union Event Field.
Dogs will navigate a straw bale maze to locate safely enclosed live rats, testing their scenting and agility skills. The event costs $10 per dog, which includes a $5 donation to the Frankenmuth Dog Bowl nonprofit.
The Pet Parade starts at 1 p.m. Saturday, and owners will line up at 12:45 p.m. in the south parking lot of River Place Shops.
The parade travels north on Main Street, across the Wooden Covered Bridge and concludes at the Doggie Play Park.
This year’s crowned king and queen will serve as grand marshals and receive special recognition at the Fest Platz Stage.
Additional competitions and shows include:
- DockDogs International Competitions
- Disc Dogs of Michigan
- Dog Lure Course
- Silly Pet Tricks and Vocalizations
- Border Collie Sheep Herding Demonstrations
- Rock-N-Roll K-9s Performance Team
- Dog Breeds of the World Showcase
- Best Canine Costume Contest
- Police K-9 Demonstrations
- Dog Mushing
- Canine Cruise on the Bavarian Belle Riverboat
- Paws With A Cause exhibitions
Find more information about Dog Bowl events here.
And find event parking information here.
All other event information can be found at dogbowlfun.com.
Click through the gallery above or click here to see photos from the 2024 Frankenmuth Dog Bowl
Balloons Over Bavarian Inn will run concurrently with Dog Bowl, featuring 23 hot air balloons, six scheduled flights, and three nightly glow events from May 23-26.
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