You can shuck corn and watch dachshunds race at this free event near Calgary

The Cornstock and Dachshund Dash at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino is turning the final day of Standardbred season into one very corny celebration, and you’re invited. Just outside Calgary in Balzac, the annual event brings a full day of racing, food, games, and entertainment to the track.

You can try your hand at corn shucking, test your guessing skills with a kernel-themed game, and stick around for the return of the Dachshund Dash. Local organizations will also be on site, with prizes up for grabs and plenty of food to keep you fueled throughout the day.

Here’s a closer look at what you can get up to while you’re there.

What to know about Cornstock and Dachshund Dash

First up, the racing. If you’ve never watched Standardbred racing before, it’s a form of harness racing where horses pull a driver in a two-wheeled cart called a sulky. Cornstock coincides with the final day of Standardbred racing at Century Downs, with the season wrapping up at the track that day.

What activities will be there?

After the horses have had their turn, it’s time to get a little more competitive yourself. The Corn Shucking races will challenge participants to see who can shuck their corn the fastest, with corn-themed gift baskets going to the winners. Anyone who wants to participate in the race can sign up on-site.

There will also be a Guess the Kernels game where you can try and figure out how many kernels are on an ear of corn for another chance to take home a prize.

Once the competitions and racing wrap up, the Dachshund Dash will take over the track, giving local wiener dogs a moment in the spotlight. You can watch dachshunds and dachshund mixes go head-to-head in a short sprint as they race down the track to see who can make it to the finish line first.

What can I eat?

After all that competing and cheering, you’ll probably have worked up an appetite. And you’re in luck because there will also be an old-fashioned corn roast, which is essentially a celebration centred around freshly cooked corn, and there’s a special menu to go along with it. The corn on the cob comes grilled or cooked, with your choice of maple bacon, hot honey, or garlic parmesan seasoning.

And corn isn’t the only thing on the menu. There will also be three specialty corn hot dogs to choose from, including a barbecue mac and cheese dog, a Chicago-style dog, and the CDR dog, topped with bourbon bacon maple cream and bacon crumble.

A few local organizations will also join the festivities, with Alberta Dachshund Rescue hosting a 50/50 draw and Parachutes for Pets bringing its Thrifty Pet Shop pop-up. Petland will give away prizes to the top dachshund racers, and ARF will sell mystery pet bags, with proceeds going back to the organization.

When is the Cornstock and Dachshund Dash happening?

The Cornstock and Dachshund Dash take place on Saturday, Aug. 29, at Century Downs Racetrack and Casino in Balzac, just outside Calgary. The event is completely free to attend, and you don’t need to buy a ticket or register ahead of time. Parking is also free, so all you need to do is show up and enjoy the festivities.

Standardbred racing begins at 12:45 p.m., with the Dachshund Dash taking place after the final harness race. And if you want your pup to compete in the dash, they’ll need to be registered ahead of time. Purebred dachshunds and dachshund mixes are welcome to participate, and registration is still open for the race, so you can still sign your speedy little sausage dog up ahead of the event. Prizes will also be awarded to the top racers, so there’s a little extra incentive for your pup to give it their all.

If you’re still figuring out what to do with that last Saturday in August, make the short trip out to Balzac and enjoy everything the Cornstock and Dachshund Dash have to offer.

Which event are you most excited for?

When: Saturday, Aug. 29, 2026
Time: First race begins at 12:45 p.m.
Where: Century Downs Racetrack and Casino – 260 Century Downs Dr., Rocky View County, Alta.
Cost: Free

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Kaiya Williams

Kaiya is a Calgary-based writer and content creator with a background in marketing and digital storytelling. She has a passion for community-driven stories and covering local experiences that connect people.

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