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.) 

Registration is now open for the 12th Annual Spooky Pooch Parade.

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.