Hot Dog Night set for July 11

After 57 years, some things never change.
But that’s not the case with Luverne’s Hot Dog Night.
The annual mid-summer event began as a way for merchants to thank their customers with free hot dogs and juice.
While that’s still the goal today, the event has changed and grown considerably since the first hot dog night 57 years ago.
This year’s Hot Dog Night on Thursday, July 11, will be just the start of three days of events, according to Chamber Director Jane Wildung Lanphere.
“Hot Dog Night has really grown into a whole weekend of activity in Luverne,” she said.
“It’s become one of the main weekends for class reunions and for people to come home or visit Luverne.”
In addition to the over 15,000 free hot dogs served on Thursday, the weekend includes live music, the Wienerman Triathlon, the Tour de Donut bicycle tour, multiple class reunions and more.
 
Thursday
The action on Thursday includes the Farmers Market, face painting and temporary tattoos, free inflatables and freeze pops, and demonstrations by Luverne Tae Kwon Do and Spotlight Dancers.
Hot dog serving begins at 5:30 and continues while supplies last.
The ninth annual Wienerman Triathlon, a unique four-person relay race that includes eating, swimming, biking and running begins at 7 p.m.
The ever-popular wiener dog beauty pageant and wiener dog races also start at 7 p.m.
The first of three nights of live music kicks off with Casey Muessigmann, a country artist who appeared on The Voice, performing outside the History Center on Main Street from 8-11 p.m.
 
Friday
Take 16 Brewing Company’s block party takes center stage on Friday night, July 12, when it hosts two live bands for a free concert.
The Federales will play from 5 to 7:30 p.m. before Church of Cash takes the stage from 8 to 11 p.m.
Church of Cash is a popular Johnny Cash tribute band that performed at the Governor’s Pheasant Opener Weekend in Luverne last October to rave reviews.
“They were very good and people are excited to have them back in town,” Lanphere said.
 
Saturday
The Tour de Donut Minnesota begins Saturday morning, July 13, with 7 a.m. and 8 a.m. starts at Luverne City Park.
The unique combination bike tour and donut eating challenge includes four routes from 10 to 55 miles long with treats served along the route.
Much more information and required pre-registration can be found at www.wienermanevents.com.
Take 16 will stage a second night of live music on Saturday night when the band, Standing Room Only, plays from 6 to 10 p.m.
More detailed information about the weekend can be found in the July 6 Luverne Announcer or on the Chamber  website at www.luvernechamber.com.