Like a talented musician amidst a world-class orchestra, it’s not easy to stand out from the crowd at the Spooky Pooch Parade.
For one autumn afternoon each year, Kauffman Park transforms from a picturesque downtown greenspace to an expansive sea of costumed canines. Beagles, bloodhounds and bulldogs become dinosaurs, hot dogs and Darth Vaders. The entertainment value is priceless, and the joy observed on the faces of children at this family-friendly community event is even better.
But what about if you’re in it to win it? Just how can you ensure your canine remains conspicuous despite the masses of mutts? There are, after all, various “Best of…” awards to be claimed when the 12th Annual Spooky Pooch Parade – sponsored by Discount Drug Mart and presented by LakewoodAlive – takes place from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 19.
Here are five tips for claiming victory during the upcoming Spooky Pooch Parade:
1. Register Your Pooch!
You miss every shot you don’t take. Register your furry friend to march in the 12th Annual Spooky Pooch Parade now by visiting LakewoodAlive.org/SpookyPooch.
2. Know the Award Categories
While it’s easy to immediately get enthused about a clever costume idea, like dressing your prized Pekingese as a lion, it’s worthwhile to take a step back and first examine the award criteria. This will enable you to target specific categories with your canine costume. Prizes (limited to one per canine) will be awarded for first, second and third place in five categories. The award categories are as follows:
- Best Pooch & Child
- Best Pooch & Adult
- Best Pooch & Group
- Spookiest Pooch
- Best in Show
A huge thank you goes out to Pet’s General Store, who is donating one year’s worth of free dog food to the winner of Best in Show during the 2019 Spooky Pooch Parade!
3. Be a Package Deal
You bolster your chances of claiming victory by collaborating with your pooch on a shared costume theme. Three of the five award categories require a collaborative effort, and you certainly aren’t excluded from the final two criteria when you play the Robin to your pooch’s Batman. Besides, dressing up is ageless and fun!
4. Play to Your Dog’s Strengths…or Weaknesses
There are two ways you can capitalize on your canine’s unique appearance and personality with your Spooky Pooch Parade costume. First, you can leverage your pooch’s innate characteristics to select the perfect costume, such as dressing your basset hound as a rabbit or your Shih Tzu as an Ewok. Conversely, though, it’s often even more effective to take your dog out of its comfort zone and pay homage to Opposite Day. Consider, for instance, dressing your Doberman as a dainty daisy or your Chihuahua as a ferocious monster.
5. Strive for Family-Fun Humor
Even the most discerning judges tend to have a funny bone. When in doubt, aim to be humorous with your costume – but keep it clean for this family-friendly event. A little creativity goes a long way. And as Charlie Chaplin once said, “A day without laughter is a day wasted.”
Ultimately, whether you spend five weeks or five minutes on your dog’s costume, the Spooky Pooch Parade is all about enjoying a fun afternoon while showcasing Lakewood’s vibrancy. Win, lose or draw, everyone goes home as happy as a dog with a bone.
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