The world’s largest weenie dog race will soon return to Starkville — this time with a new title sponsor.
The 5th annual Starkville Derby will return to the college town on May 1, 2027. In the offseason, event officials struck a three-year naming-rights partnership with Mama Justice Law Firm.
“We can’t say enough about how amazing a partner Mama Justice has been to us these past two years, and we are so blessed to have Missy and her team on our side,” Starkville Derby founder Alden Thornhill said.
“Everywhere you look, Mama Justice teammates and the firm itself are always out supporting their communities, and Oktibbeha County Humane Society is so thankful to have them supporting its biggest fundraiser. This commitment will help out so many pets in Starkville and the Golden Triangle for years to come!”
The Starkville Derby has drawn national coverage from ESPN and Barstool Sports and has earned multiple state and regional tourism awards, including the Southeast Tourism Society’s Can’t Miss Event, Mississippi Tourism Association’s Best Large Festival, and Mississippi Main Street’s Best Creative Large Event designations.
“Anybody who’s been to the Derby knows it’s the most fun you can have in Mississippi on a Saturday,” Missy Wigginton, founding attorney of the Mama Justice Law Firm, said. “We love animals, we love Starkville, and underneath the wiener dogs and the crowds is a community taking care of its most vulnerable. That’s work we believe in, and we’re proud to stand behind it for the next three years.”
The festival has raised hundreds of thousands for the Oktibbeha County Humane Society, garnered tens of millions of views, raced nearly 1,000 dachshunds, and attracted countless visitors from across the globe to watch its canine athletes race in the center of Starkville.
