Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Tompkins Square Halloween dog fest won't be curbed by another rainy weekend
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 17, 2023
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Scott Lynch for Gothamist
By
Catalina Gonella
Published Oct 17, 2023
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The final details of the now-revived Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade are coming together.
The beloved event was put in limbo last month after organizers had trouble securing the necessary permits due to unexpectedly exorbitant fees. Lead organizer Joseph Borduin said he’s been meeting with representatives of all the involved city agencies at the park on a regular basis to nail down finishing touches. And with rain in the weekend forecast, Borduin said they will have ponchos to keep the pooches and their owners dry.
“Five more days, and then I can sit back, relax, and laugh about it all. Be like, ‘We did it!’ How did we do it in such a short period of time?” he told Gothamist on Monday evening.
Joseph Borduin, who organizes the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade, is pictured with his dog Biscuit (right), and their friend Mickey.
Kerry Shaw
For those hoping to participate, 600 wristbands will be distributed to humans on a first-come, first-served basis at a table on 13th Street and Avenue B starting at 12 p.m., Borduin said. The wristbands will grant dog parents and their pooches access to the parade and the park.
Dogs and their humans will walk the route down Avenue B where spectators will be lined up, and make a right on 7th Street, which will be blocked off exclusively for participants.
As of Monday night, there was a 40% percent chance of showers in the New York city metro area, according to the National Weather Service. It would be the seventh rainy weekend in a row in the city. But Borduin said the parade is set to take place rain or shine.
The parade will start at 1 p.m. Saturday, during which judges will choose 40 dogs as finalists for a stage competition that will take place inside the park at 2 p.m. Only those with wristbands will be allowed inside.
Borduin said it’s been a challenge to get the logistics ironed out on the expedited timeline, with just weeks between its revival and the event, and not everything came together in time — unfortunately, this year the competition won’t be livestreamed.
“I just hope everyone understands all of the obstacles we had to deal with this year to put something together. And even with all those obstacles, I still feel like we are going to have an amazing parade on the streets of the city,” Borduin said.
Tagged
public safety
manhattan
parks
art
Catalina Gonella
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Queens man found dead, police say, and injured woman is his mother, neighbors say
Police are investigating a related incident in which a 62-year-old woman was found injured beneath the Van Wyck Expressway.
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 14, 2026 at 7:39 p.m. ET
Man shot by ICE in NYC's Marble Hill said federal officers never identified themselves
The wounded man said he didn't learn ICE agents were involved until he woke up in the hospital.
By
Arya Sundaram
and
Samantha Max
News
Man shot by ICE in NYC's Marble Hill said federal officers never identified themselves
The wounded man said he didn't learn ICE agents were involved until he woke up in the hospital.
By
Arya Sundaram
and
Samantha Max
Brooklyn school dean says MTA officers assaulted him over a $3 bus fare he says he paid
By
Carol Chen
National Grid customers in NYC will see higher gas bills this winter
By
Rosemary Misdary
Bruce Blakeman joins Gov. Hochul in support for expanding NY rape law
By
Jon Campbell
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .