Canines, Kiddies Come Costumed Sunday

By Heidi Hatch

Staff Writer

Halloween has gone to the dogs.

Costumed as cowboys, bumblebees, cheerleaders, bats, clowns, hula girls and more, dogs of all kinds are dressing up for the Sixth Annual Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade, taking place at 2:30 p.m. Sunday in Belmont Shore.

This has become the world’s largest pet Halloween parade, said event founder Justin Rudd.

“I did a lot of searching, and nothing even comes close,” Rudd said. “It’s the biggest.”

Approximately 600 dogs are expected to participate in the 12-block sidewalk parade. It begins at Livingston Drive and Park Avenue, heads south on Park Avenue to Second Street, continues on Second to Granada Avenue, crosses the street and makes a U-turn on Second Street, heads back to Roycroft Avenue then returns to Livingston Park.

Rudd said he decided to create a Halloween parade after the success of his Easter pet parade.

“I saw people enjoyed spending time with their dogs and raising money for charity,” Rudd said. “I’d been seeing costumes in stores, and dressing up dogs had become a fad.”

All of the money raised goes to the Community Action Team, a nonprofit that benefits children, animals and the environment. The parade raised $10,000 last year, and this year’s goal is $12,000.

Prizes are in store for the dogs with the best costumes. A panel of judges will choose the top 10 entries, plus a few specialty awards. One is the best overall costume; another is the best “float” award (where entrants will be judged on their decorated non-motorized device used to take the costumed dog on the route), and the group theme award, a contest judged on the combined costumes of at least one dog and one person.

Judging is based on originality, showmanship, detail of costume and first impression. The awards ceremony will take place at Livingston Park immediately following the parade, and prizes include gift cards and gift baskets.

The cable television channel TLC will have camera crews shooting footage of the event for a one-hour Halloween special they’re producing called “Holiday Madness.”

Dog-friendly festivities will take place from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Livingston Park. Rescue groups are bringing approximately 100 animals that will be available for adoption. Additional events are bobbing for howl’oweenies — dogs will take turns grabbing floating wieners from a pale of water — and the great pumpkin drop, where a 50-pound pumpkin will be dropped from a tree.

“Like they start New Year’s in New York, we start Howl’oween in Belmont Shore,” Rudd said. “It’s symbolic.”

For those who like to get wet and slobbery, a bulldog kissing booth will be on-site selling kisses for $1. About 20 English bulldogs will take turns giving kisses. Proceeds from the booth benefit Operation Santa Paws, a holiday toy and treat drive for shelter animals.

Approximately 50 vendors are participating with mostly dog-related items including clothes, jewelry, food and cleaning products.

The day isn’t just for dogs. A children’s Halloween contest will take place at 4:30 p.m.; organizers are asking for a $2 donation per entry. There also will be a dog-treat stacking contest where two-legged participants compete to create the tallest tower of dog biscuits in 30 seconds.

To enter a pooch in the parade, the fee is $10. For $25, participants receive a Haute Dog T-shirt, and for $35 entrants receive a T-shirt and a spot near the front of the parade.

Entry forms are available online at www.hautedogs.org, or at Wiskers, located at 4818 E. Second St, and the day of the event.

All participants will be entered into a drawing for a one-year supply of Pedigree dog food. The event is free for spectators.

Volunteers are needed to host watering stations along Second Street at each intersection between Roycroft Avenue and Granada Avenue, and help is needed to assist with activities at Livingston Park before and after the parade.

Sponsors are Gazette Newspapers, Community Action Team, Belmont Shore Business Association and Recreation Dog Park Association.

For more information, call 439-3316 or visit www.hautedogs.org.

“There’s smiles on the faces of the people who see this thing,” Rudd added. “It will put everyone in a very happy mood.”

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