UPDATE: Due to rain, the Running of the Chiuahuas has been postponed to Sunday, May 15.
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo on the run at The Wharf! This Saturday it’s the 10th Annual Running of the Chihuahuas.
The event will take place on District Pier at The Wharf (101 District Sq. SW) from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
In addition to running, the event will feature the iconic Chihuahua races, a Pacifico Beer Garden, a DJ and an all-breed dog costume contest.
The Cinco de Mayo celebration also supports a good cause; since the inception of the Running of the Chihuahuas in 2012, the event has raised over $15,000 for animal charities.
The Running of the Chihuahuas will feature over 90 Chihuahuas racing in groups of eight on a sixty-foot race track, with all the action captured on a huge video screen.
Only Chihuahuas may participate in the races, but all dog breeds can take part in the excitement with the all-dog contest for best-dressed dog. The races and costume contest are free to view and open to the public.
Chihuahuas who plan to race must be registered for the competition on Eventbrite. The deadline to register dogs is Friday, May 6, and the fee is $30 per dog and 100% of race entries benefit Rural Dog Rescue – a non-profit organization dedicated to pulling dogs from high-kill rural shelters to help them find their forever homes. Walk-ups will be accepted on race day until all spots are full.
The week leading up to the races, restaurants at The Wharf are featuring special cocktails made with El Jimador and Herradura Tequilas. Each cocktail will be named after an adoptable dog from Rural Dog Rescue to help raise awareness and find the dogs a home. Brown-Forman will be donating to Rural Dog Rescue on the restaurants’ behalf. The cocktail program runs from April 29 – May 8.
The Running of the Chihuahuas will be MC’d by Tommy McFly from NBC4 Washington. This event is family-friendly, dog-friendly and free to attend.
