Saratoga Orchestra of Whidbey Island | Professional Music Organization

GAME RULES and INFORMATION

Rule #1 - Gemütlichkeit - Have Fun!
Rule #2 - In addition to the Event Admission Cover Charge, each game is 2 Tickets ($5) per person to participate. (This is a fundraiser!)
Rule #3 - Game registration is on a first-come basis - you snooze you lose! Pre-registration is required for the Wiener Dog Race
Rule #4 - Upon registering for the games you will receive an attractively colored wristband - you must have a wristband color corresponding to that particular game to participate.
Rule #5 - Be safe, use common sense, be respectful, these are just silly games!
Rule #6 - See Rule #1

WIENER DOG RACES
(Pre-registration is required HERE)

All dogs must be check in by 12:45 PM on Saturday October 4th, 2025. Races will start at 1:00PM.
You must be at least 21 years or over to participate as the Oktoberfest is a 21+ event.
We admire greyhounds as much as the next guy, but fair is fair. So only genuine, low-to-the-ground Dachshunds or Mixed Breed Doxies will be allowed to race.
We reserve the right to determine which dogs are wieners and which dogs are not.
Dogs must be on a leash at all times (except during the races).
Owners must clean up after their dogs! Please bring along your own “clean-up” gear.
Two people must be available during the heat: One at the race start, and one at the finish line.
In addition to the Event Admission, each team will need to purchase 4 tickets (2 per person) Your darling dog is free!
You may use a toy, ball or treat to entice the dog, buy you must stay at each end until your dog comes to you! The toy or treat may not be thrown or tossed. You may bounce the ball, but bouncing is not throwing. No loud devices, drones, laser pointers or anything that may be distracting to other dogs/owners.
You may NOT run alongside the dog, but you MAY wear a tastefully created costume, if you think that will help.
Your dog may step out of bounds but must re-enter and completely cross the finish line, within the boundaries, without being grabbed. If the dog is touched by the handler before completely crossing the line, the dog will be disqualified.
We reserve the right to disqualify any pet owner for behavior deemed inappropriate. Any dog that bites another dog, person or handler will not be permitted at the races and will be asked to leave the event grounds.
All participants must sign the waiver below:

NAGELBALKEN (nail hitting)

Stance: Grip the hammer behind the blue tape safety line and raise it above your head
Striking: Strike the nail with the wedge end down
Turns: Players take turns going counterclockwise around the log
Straightening: If a nail bends, the player can take a turn to straighten it by swinging on an angle
Goal: Be the first player to drive their nail flush with the surface of the wood

MASSKRUGSTEMMEN (Stein Lifting)

GOAL: try to hold a full one-liter stein out in front of you for as long as possible.

Stein - Each stein weighs about 5 pounds when full. We use water, not beer.
Grip - Hold the stein by the handle with your thumb wrapped around it among your other fingers. Your pinkie finger can be outside the handle, but it can only touch the handle and not the stein itself. The front of the stein should face away from you.
Arm - Extend your arm straight out in front of you, parallel to the ground, and hold the stein there. Your arm must be completely outstretched and cannot be bent.
Other arm- Your opposite arm should be straight down at your side and should not support your body in any way.
Movement - You should not lean to the side, switch hands, or break your elbow lock.
Spilling - Spilling any beer is an automatic disqualification, even within the first 60 seconds of the competition.
Warnings - Competitors usually receive only one warning before disqualification.
Judging - Judges may offer corrections to competitors within the first 60 seconds without penalty, but if the competitor doesn't comply, they may issue a strike. Judges have the final say on the winner.

SARATOGA SAUSAGE TOSS

Teams of two compete to see who can toss the Sausage back and forth the farthest while keeping it intact.
Register as a team or we'll pair up singles. Entry is 2 tickets ($5) per person
Each player will be required to toss and catch the sausage in a worn apron at various pre-determined lengths.
The longest successful toss is named the Whidbey’s Saratoga Sausage Toss Champion!

NAGELBALKEN RELAY

Register as a team of 4 or we'll create a team for you. Entry is 2 tickets ($5) per person.
Turns: Players run from behind a line to hit the nail into the log and must return behind the line before the next team members runs to the log.
Stance: Grip the hammer behind the blue tape safety line and raise it above your head
Straightening: If a nail bends, the player can take a turn to straighten it by swinging on an angle
Goal: Be the first team to drive their nail flush with the surface of the wood

BIERMARIONETTE
Available all afternoon

GOAL: to be able to drink from the cup using the ropes without spilling

To try is 2 tickets ($5) per person.
Provide your beverage of choice.
Participant wear a specially designed backpack, equipped with a support system for strings attached to a cup of your favorite beverage.
The goal is to maneuver the strings using only body movements to guide the cup to their mouth without spilling
Participants must complete the challenge in under five minutes