Popular Autumn Canine Event Brings Bark to Kauffman Park on October 20
This one is for the dogs…but you’re invited, too. Registration is now open for LakewoodAlive’s 11th Annual Spooky Pooch Parade, a celebration of costumed canines taking place on Saturday, October 20, from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Kauffman Park in Downtown Lakewood.
Sponsored by Discount Drug Mart, the Spooky Pooch Parade consists of a free-to-attend festival in Kauffman Park, a parade through Lakewood’s downtown business district on Detroit Avenue and an awards presentation. A favorite Halloween tradition for Northeast Ohio dog lovers and their families, this community festival represents one of the only events of its kind in the region, providing a tail-wagging good time for canine and human guests alike. Last year’s Spooky Pooch Parade drew nearly 350 canines and an estimated crowd of 2,500 people.
Pre-registration for the parade is $10 per dog and day-of registration is $15 per dog. Multiple dog discounts are available with pre-registration only. Humans are free. This community event takes place rain or shine, and proceeds from the parade benefit LakewoodAlive, a nonprofit community development organization.
Festivities get underway with the Spooky Pooch Festival beginning at 12:30 p.m. at Kauffman Park. Enjoy entertainment, kids’ games and dog-related vendors, including rescue groups and other nonprofits offering canine-oriented goods and services. Kids are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes.
The much-anticipated dog parade commences at 2 p.m. Dogs of all shapes and sizes dressed in their finest Halloween fashions will strut their stuff along Detroit Avenue. Judges will award prizes beginning at approximately 3:15 p.m. in a number of categories, including Best Dog & Child, Best Dog & Adult, Best Dog & Group, Spookiest Pooch and Best in Show.
“We’re thrilled to have our Spooky Pooch Parade return to Downtown Lakewood for an 11th consecutive year,” said Ian Andrews, Executive Director of LakewoodAlive. “This crowd-pleasing community event not only showcases our city’s vibrancy, but also results in a great deal of fun for everyone who participates.”
For more information and to register your dog now for the 11th Annual Spooky Pooch Parade, please visit LakewoodAlive.org/SpookyPooch. To apply to be a vendor, click here.
The Spooky Pooch Parade is generously supported by the following sponsors:
Title Sponsor:
Discount Drug Mart
Top Dog Sponsor:
City of Lakewood
Dedicated Dog Sponsors:
The Dog Stop Plus
Inn The Doghouse
Milo & Me
Pet’s General Store
PetPeople
Poochy Sponsors:
Renewal by Andersen
Three Dog Bakery