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Where And When To See All The Halloween Dogs
By
Claire Lampen
Published Oct 16, 2019
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Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist
By
Claire Lampen
Published Oct 16, 2019
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Time to make a game plan, because the Halloween dog parades are almost upon us, and you will surely not want to miss your chance to see a bunch of Goldendoodles dressed up/defamed as Joker. (Oh no.) Not one but TWO dog costume contests loom large: Mercifully, their timing does not force you to choose between competing events with competing canine lobsters, but you will still want to set your schedule in stone ahead of time. Otherwise, you might show up in the wrong place at the wrong time with a big bag of dog treats that causes the pigeons to swarm.
We can help you avoid that fate: Below, please find all the relevant infos on the impending Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade and the Great PUPkin Dog Costume Contest.
Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade
They want to suck your blood!
Scott Lynch/Gothamist
When: Sunday, October 20th — i.e., this weekend, which, in terms of weather, should actually be pretty ideal for sitting in a park and watching all the spooky boys go by — beginning at noon (with the runway competition) and ending at 3 p.m. But, and please take note of this if you would like to parade your pug, competitors should arrive between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to register.
Where: Confusingly enough, this event will be held at the East River Park Amphitheater located along side the FDR at Grand Street in East River Park, and not in Tompkins Square Park as the name suggests. For almost three decades, this parade did take place in Tompkins Square Park, but then last year, the Parks Department reportedly pressed organizers for a much larger insurance policy than usual, one that would've placed liability on a single person's shoulders. Distraught, the organizers had to cancel — until a local grassroots civic organization called Good Old Lower East Side stepped in and took over the insurance policy. So now, the event takes place on the LES. And no, the change of location did not tank turnout numbers last year.
What: As Janet Frame once observed, "Life is hell, but at least there are prizes," and sometimes they go to dogs, in costumes! It's a pretty simple concept.
Why: I'm not really sure you need a better reason than "dogs, in costumes," but: Do you want to see a dog dressed as a llama? One half of a 1920s vaudeville duo? Stranger Things? Well then come to the parade, okay?? Jeez.
Website with details, please: Click here my friend.
Great PUPkin Dog Costume Contest
Vroom!
Sai Mokhtari/Gothamist
When: Saturday, October 26th, starting at 11:30 a.m., although realistically, you probably want to get to either or both of these events in advance of the official start time, so you can plant. (Particularly if you weren't one of the first 80 people to pre-register your pet, but still want to compete, in which case you need to get there at 10:30 a.m., prepared to make a $5 suggested donation.) (Also, please note, the rain date is October 27th, same time same place.)
Where: Fort Greene Park (to register, go to the monument plaza).
What: A dog costume contest in which competitors are judged for the creativity of their ensembles, duh!
Why: See above! All of this is pretty straightforward, basically it comes down to this: Do you or do you not want to see dogs dressed up in business clothes, or masquerading as other animals, or embodying spooky monsters, or generally doing human things??
Link me: Here you go.
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great pupkin
great pupkin contest
tompkins square halloween dog parade
tompkins square dog halloween parade
Claire Lampen
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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