Welcome to Tyler Weinerfest!
Welcome to Tyler Weinerfest!
We are Amanda, Laura, and Polly—three Tyler locals bound together by a massive love for dachshunds and a combined total of nine low-riding, loud-barking fur babies.
After traveling to different cities to attend sausage dog celebrations, we looked at each other and said, "Tyler needs its own Weinerfest!" Why should other towns get all the short-legged fun?
Weinerfest is our way of bringing the community together for an unforgettable day of family fun. We are talking high-stakes weenie races, the highly anticipated crowning of our Weiner King and Queen, delicious local food trucks, and a fantastic lineup of local vendors. Most importantly, it is a chance to support our community, give local businesses a boost, and create a space where fellow dachshund obsessives can swap stories and share the love.
Whether you own a doxie, love a doxie, or just want to watch them sprint across a finish line, you are welcome here. Grab your lawn chairs, bring your appetite, and let’s make some noise for the long dogs!
Polly Featherston
I grew up in Bullard, Texas, and have spent most of my adult life in the Van and Ben Wheeler area. I've loved dachshunds since the very first time I saw one, and they've been a big part of my life ever since.
I'm a semi-retired truck driver. I started driving in 2005 and have hauled fuel throughout East Texas since 2011. While I still enjoy trucking, these days you'll usually find me caring for my dachshunds, playing a game of pool, or working to make East Texas WeinerFest an event our community can look forward to every year.
I'm excited to help bring people together through a shared love of dachshunds and create a fun, family-friendly tradition for East Texas. I can't wait to welcome everyone to our inaugural East Texas WeinerFest!
Amanda Cortez
Hi, I'm Amanda Cortez!
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I am 48 years old and originally from the vibrant, culturally rich city of New Orleans, a place that will always hold a special piece of my heart.
**Life in the Classroom**
For the past 18 years, I have dedicated my career to education, and I currently have the joy—and the adventure—of being a middle school teacher. Guiding students through such a transformative and energetic period of their lives requires a lot of patience and a good sense of humor, but it is incredibly rewarding work.
**My Family and Milestones**
Family is at the absolute center of my world. My husband, Lee, and I are celebrating our 10th wedding anniversary, and we are currently navigating a very exciting (and bittersweet!) transition at home: our daughter, Sophie, just turned 18 and is starting her freshman year at the University of North Texas (UNT) this year. We couldn't be prouder of her.
**A House Full of Paws**
When I’m not in the classroom or cheering on my daughter, you can usually find me wrangling my other pack—our six dogs! Three of them are dachshunds, so as you can imagine, our house is never boring. (I'm not gonna lie though, Widget is my baby out of the three!)It is always full of big personalities, a little bit of chaos, and a whole lot of love.
Between my students, my husband, sending my daughter off to college, and my spirited pack of pups, it is a busy, beautiful life—and I wouldn't have it any other way!
amanda.cortez1977@gmail.com
Laura Fraga Crim
I’m an interior designer in East Texas, working alongside my husband, who builds homes throughout the area. We welcomed our first baby in May 2026 and share our home with six dogs—three dachshunds and three rescues. My love for dachshunds began 11 years ago with Leo, my mini dachshund and seizure alert dog.
Living with epilepsy, I relied on Leo to help keep me safe, and that incredible bond made me fall completely in love with these long dogs and their BIG personalities. That love eventually inspired me to create ETX Weenies, bringing dachshund lovers across East Texas together. Now, I’m so proud to be one of three co-founders bringing the first Wiener Fest to East Texas—all because of one very special long dog who changed my life. ❤️🐾
