Popular Autumn Canine Event Brings Bark to Kauffman Park on October 19
Get ready for a doggone good time! Registration is now open for LakewoodAlive’s 12th Annual Spooky Pooch Parade, a celebration of costumed canines taking place on Saturday, October 19, 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 is a one-of-a-kind event in the region, providing a tail-wagging good time for canine and human guests alike. Last year’s Spooky Pooch Parade drew 350 canines and an estimated crowd of 3,000 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 community-centered nonprofit organization striving to foster and sustain vibrant neighborhoods in Lakewood. (Register your dog now.)
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 at this family-friendly event.
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 3:15 p.m. in a number of categories, including Best Pooch & Child, Best Pooch & Adult, Best Pooch & Group, Spookiest Pooch and Best in Show. Contestants must participate in the parade in order to be eligible to win a prize.
“We’re excited to have our Spooky Pooch Parade return to Downtown Lakewood for a 12th consecutive year,” said Ian Andrews, Executive Director of LakewoodAlive. “This family-friendly community event not only showcases our city’s vibrancy, but also makes for a really fun time for everyone who participates.”
For more information and to register your dog, please visit LakewoodAlive.org/SpookyPooch.
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:
Inn The Doghouse
Pet’s General Store
Poochy Sponsors:
Bath Fitter
Milo & Me
PetPeople
Renewal by Andersen
Uptown Lakewood Business Alliance
Interested in sponsoring the Spooky Pooch Parade? View sponsorship opportunities or call 216-521-0655.