Wienerfest moves to Burford

(Contributed photo)

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

For the first time in the event’s 25-year history, Wienerfest will not be held in Woodstock.

The event, featuring hundreds of the lovable dogs and their owners, has moved to Burford out of necessity, not choice.

“After 25 amazing years of growing the Wienerfest Home County Festival, we’ve once again outgrown our venue, a familiar pattern that seems to happen about every four years,” explained Linda Sonnenburg, Executive Director of Wiener Fest Canada. The event will be held on June 21 and 22.

“This time, the move brings us to a beautiful new location, the Burford Fairgrounds. We knew we needed more green space for the dogs to run, more parking, and an environment that’s suited for low dogs. We’re so grateful to Tourism Oxford for helping scout options, but ultimately, Burford checked all the boxes.”

Sonnenburg said those boxes include lush green grass, ample parking and a community ready to embrace the festival.

“As much as Woodstock and more.”

The festival was held at the Woodstock Fairgrounds, having just settled in after COVID, but she explained there was no venue in Oxford that was suitable for the event.

“While it served us well, the reality is that no current venue in Oxford County could meet the size and quality we now require. Moving a festival is no small task, kind of like trying to move a house in two days, but we’ve been working tirelessly these past two months, and the County of Brant has been absolutely phenomenal. Their support, along with the Burford Agricultural Society, local businesses, and volunteers, has been beyond generous.”

This year’s edition of Wiener Fest is shaping up to be the biggest yet.

“It’s our 25th anniversary. We've already heard from people traveling in from across Canada and the U.S. including Kentucky, Alabama, Kingston, Ottawa, and even Mexico,” added Sonnenburg.

There are some new events this year, including a Wiener Wedding on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. and a craft, antique, bicycling, and horse shows.

There will also be a lure course, an agility course, bobbing for wieners and a scent training course. Over 145 vendors will be on site for shopping, dog health and wellness, grooming, nutrition advice, and more. A lively food court will feature ribs from Woodstock Ribfest, Jack the Nibbler, and other favourites.

As always, admission is free.

“While sponsorships are a bit lower this year, we welcome and appreciate any financial donations to help keep this one-of-a-kind festival going strong,” said Sonnenburg.

She also wanted to thank our longtime sponsors, Big Steel Box for moving everything, and Royal Canin, which has returned as a proud sponsor this year.

“We’re excited, we're ready, and we can’t wait to see you, and your dogs, at Wienerfest 2025 in Burford!”

More details are available at www.wienerfest.ca.

In 2024, there were 8,000 two-legged visitors and over 1,000 four-legged folks. Meaning owners.