Abba-Zaba the corgi dressed as the L train for the 2023 Tompkins Square Park Halloween Dog Parade.Photo:Jenna Wang
Jenna Wang
The dogs of New York City celebrated Halloween early and in style.
On Oct. 21, nearly 15,000 New Yorkers braved the rainy weather to cheer on the city’s cutest pups as they trotted down the street in Halloween costumes for the33rd annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade.
The long-standing tradition was initially shut down after complications arose with permits, park construction projects, and rising costs. However, thanks to the support oflocal dog wellness startup Get Joyand city agencies, the beloved event’s streak of continuous parades continued.
“When joy is threatened, we want to make sure that we can do something about it,” Get Joy founder and CEO Tom Arrix told PEOPLE of the cancellation. “We raised our hand and said, ‘Hey, we can help support this and make this better than any parade that’s ever happened in the city of New York.'”
The parade, which also doubled as a costume competition, featured six judges who handed out golden tickets to their favorite costumes throughout the procession. Forty proud owners and pups were chosen to be semi-finalists, and then a select few continued into the finals.
Arrix, who also served as a Halloween costume judge, noted the “tough competition” and shared his simple judging criteria.
“Anything that brings a smile to people’s faces,” he said. “Just creativity – people that can weave some kind of New York or tri-state dynamic into the costume.”
Dr. Brett Levitzke — the chief medical officer of VERG Brooklyn, veterinary advisor for Get Joy, and fellow judge — added an additional component. “I also want the costumes to be comfortable and safe for the dogs,” he said.
Creating the costumes is Summer Strand’s “favorite part” of the event. It’s a fun process for the “Chihuahua obsessed” community leader, who served as a competition judge this year, and an opportunity to bond with her four Chihuahuas and the city’s thousands of pooches.
The dog community’s vibrant spirit makes the event unique for judge and author Fern Watt, who co-hosted the competition segment withPuppy Bowl referee Dan Schachner.
“There’s so many tough things going on in the world, and to have a day where the community comes together and we all celebrate the love of our dogs and the friendship they give us is really sweet,” Watt said. “It’s a reminder that it’s good to be silly and joyful.”
Read on to see the furry costume contest winners below and other spooky-cute standouts for the N.Y.C. Halloween Dog Parade.
01of 231st Place: Pookah as ‘Winnie the Pookah’Jenna WangPookah was awarded the top prize after his “paw-rents” Sam Carpenter (left) and Michelle Leone dressed him up in aWinnie-the Poohinspired costume, which took “about a month” to create.“He looks like a little cuddly bear, so we thought Winnie the Pookah was the perfect fit,” Leone told PEOPLE of the Pomeranian pup. “This is our first year. Wanted to go big, but we weren’t expecting to win.“You can follow Pookah on Instagram@pookahthepom, where the pet boasts over 19,100 followers.
01of 23
1st Place: Pookah as ‘Winnie the Pookah’
Pookah was awarded the top prize after his “paw-rents” Sam Carpenter (left) and Michelle Leone dressed him up in aWinnie-the Poohinspired costume, which took “about a month” to create.
“He looks like a little cuddly bear, so we thought Winnie the Pookah was the perfect fit,” Leone told PEOPLE of the Pomeranian pup. “This is our first year. Wanted to go big, but we weren’t expecting to win.”
You can follow Pookah on Instagram@pookahthepom, where the pet boasts over 19,100 followers.
02of 23
2nd Place: Penny Lane as Willy Wonka
The family had won at a previous parade dressed up as theSchitt’s Creekcast, Tory (left) said. During the pandemic, they dressed up as individuals from Netflix’sTiger Kingin a virtual Zoom parade. “It’s a fundamental thing for us being in New York, and we look forward to it every year,” he added.
03of 233rd Place: Mimi as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade BalloonChance Yeh/GettyMimi the Bichon became aparade floatfor a day, donning the look of the famousPokémoncharacter,Pikachu. Because she can’t float across the streets, owners Kat Liu (left) and Kevin Condardo were there to guide her.
03of 23
3rd Place: Mimi as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Balloon
Chance Yeh/Getty
Mimi the Bichon became aparade floatfor a day, donning the look of the famousPokémoncharacter,Pikachu. Because she can’t float across the streets, owners Kat Liu (left) and Kevin Condardo were there to guide her.
04of 23Abba-Zaba as the L TrainJenna WangThis Welsh corgi transformed into his owners’ daily commute.“We live in Williamsburg and take the L train every day,” owner Seth said.As for how the semi-finalist is planning to celebrate?“With a nap,” Seth answered for the pup.
04of 23
Abba-Zaba as the L Train
This Welsh corgi transformed into his owners’ daily commute.
“We live in Williamsburg and take the L train every day,” owner Seth said.
As for how the semi-finalist is planning to celebrate?
“With a nap,” Seth answered for the pup.
05of 23Beast as the New Year’s Eve BallJenna WangBeast the pug is payinghomage to the holidaythat’s also the wedding date of his owners, Jessica Marx (center) and Steven Riddle.The owners, who took home the top prize at last year’s parade, were “so relieved” that the parade wasn’t canceled since they had started working on Beast’s costume in August.“It’s not just for New York,” Riddle noted of the parade’s significance. “I have family that live all around the country in Tennessee, different places, and they see us on their local news.“You can follow Beast on Instagram@sexybeastthepug.
05of 23
Beast as the New Year’s Eve Ball
Beast the pug is payinghomage to the holidaythat’s also the wedding date of his owners, Jessica Marx (center) and Steven Riddle.
The owners, who took home the top prize at last year’s parade, were “so relieved” that the parade wasn’t canceled since they had started working on Beast’s costume in August.
“It’s not just for New York,” Riddle noted of the parade’s significance. “I have family that live all around the country in Tennessee, different places, and they see us on their local news.”
You can follow Beast on Instagram@sexybeastthepug.
06of 23Muddy Mac as the Rat CzarJenna WangThe nine-month-old border terrier showed up to his first parade as the emperor of all rats.“The border terriers are bred to hunt vermin and rats, and he loves going in the N.Y.C. subway because he can smell the rats,” owner Lou Probes (left) said.But has Muddy Mac caught a rat?“He’s had interactions,” the pet parent said. “Because everyone has in N.Y.C.”
06of 23
Muddy Mac as the Rat Czar
The nine-month-old border terrier showed up to his first parade as the emperor of all rats.
“The border terriers are bred to hunt vermin and rats, and he loves going in the N.Y.C. subway because he can smell the rats,” owner Lou Probes (left) said.
But has Muddy Mac caught a rat?
“He’s had interactions,” the pet parent said. “Because everyone has in N.Y.C.”
07of 23It’s Barbie’s World and We’re Just Living In ItJenna WangMake way! Barbierode through the parade and back to Barbie Worldin style - all decked out with an entourage and a pack of fans, of course.
07of 23
It’s Barbie’s World and We’re Just Living In It
Make way! Barbierode through the parade and back to Barbie Worldin style - all decked out with an entourage and a pack of fans, of course.
08of 23Floating in a Fairy GardenJenna WangThis canine contestant greeted visitors sheepishly while decked out in ornate Fairy Land flowers.
08of 23
Floating in a Fairy Garden
This canine contestant greeted visitors sheepishly while decked out in ornate Fairy Land flowers.
09of 23
He’s right here … but dressed up as Daphne?
10of 23The “Pet” GalaJenna WangA dog duo took on Hollywood’s most glam couple and theMet Galadressing as"A$AP Barky” and “Ruffanna.”
10of 23
The “Pet” Gala
A dog duo took on Hollywood’s most glam couple and theMet Galadressing as"A$AP Barky” and “Ruffanna.”
11of 23Tito the Trouble MakerJenna WangThere’s no way that such a cute face could be guilty of a single crime, right?!
11of 23
Tito the Trouble Maker
There’s no way that such a cute face could be guilty of a single crime, right?!
12of 23A Wedding…Or ElseJenna WangYou’d better not file for a divorce from this sweet pup.
12of 23
A Wedding…Or Else
You’d better not file for a divorce from this sweet pup.
13of 23Up, Up, and Away!Jenna WangJust add one extra balloon and this pup might start floating away, just like in the Pixar-animated film,Up.
13of 23
Up, Up, and Away!
Just add one extra balloon and this pup might start floating away, just like in the Pixar-animated film,Up.
14of 23This is FineJenna WangThe owners of this pup made a real-life version of theirfavorite meme, featuring a dog who says, “This is fine,” while sitting in a room filled with flames.
14of 23
This is Fine
The owners of this pup made a real-life version of theirfavorite meme, featuring a dog who says, “This is fine,” while sitting in a room filled with flames.
15of 23You’d Better Not Anger Pearl…Jenna WangOr else the iconic character from the2022 horror filmmight show up with her furry henchman.
15of 23
You’d Better Not Anger Pearl…
Or else the iconic character from the2022 horror filmmight show up with her furry henchman.
16of 23A Play on PercussionJenna WangThe percussion group Stomp, well known for its physical theatre performances, might have a special guest to feature in its next show.
16of 23
A Play on Percussion
The percussion group Stomp, well known for its physical theatre performances, might have a special guest to feature in its next show.
17of 23
Vote This Dog for Mayor
18of 23Rise of the Pink LadiesJenna WangThis pup and their owners formed aPink Ladypack at the parade.
18of 23
Rise of the Pink Ladies
This pup and their owners formed aPink Ladypack at the parade.
19of 23Mario’s MuttJenna WangIf Nintendo’s famous plumber is looking for a new sidekick, the N.Y.C. Halloween dog parade has some great options.
19of 23
Mario’s Mutt
If Nintendo’s famous plumber is looking for a new sidekick, the N.Y.C. Halloween dog parade has some great options.
20of 23Boo!Jenna WangThis pup dressed up as the terrifying James P. Sullivan from theMonsters, Inc.movies — a much smaller version.
20of 23
Boo!
This pup dressed up as the terrifying James P. Sullivan from theMonsters, Inc.movies — a much smaller version.
21of 23There’s an Imposter Among Us…Jenna WangThe Halloween dog parade attracted a few feline costume lovers too!
21of 23
There’s an Imposter Among Us…
The Halloween dog parade attracted a few feline costume lovers too!
22of 23Barbie the BlondieJenna WangThis Barbie wants to feel the wind in her hair.
22of 23
Barbie the Blondie
This Barbie wants to feel the wind in her hair.
23of 23A Pot o' GoldJenna WangHave you ever wondered what’s at the end of a rainbow? Now, you know!
23of 23
A Pot o' Gold
Have you ever wondered what’s at the end of a rainbow? Now, you know!
source: people.com
