Riverside Park Neighbors Celebrate Halloween with Park’s First Ever Dog Parade and Costume Contest

Riverside Park Conservancy | October 31, 2024

On Saturday, October 26, Riverside Park transformed into a Halloween haven for pet parents and their pups during Riverside Park Conservancy’s first-ever Halloween Pup Parade. The Park was filled with dogs and their humans in a mix of creative costumes, bringing Halloween spirit and joy to the West Side. Throughout the afternoon, parade participants made their way through the Park’s promenade, ending at Ellington in the Park. Explore the full photo album by photographer Sean J. Rhinehart here.

Event emcee Rachael Burke kept the crowd entertained while judges Rachel Dickson, Patricia Hatcher, Bobby Panza, Anthony Rubio, and Anne Watkins deliberated over their favorite costumes of the day.

The Conservancy would like to extend our gratitude to our sponsors for this event: Dog Days of New York, Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, The Pet Market, Playground Pups, Westside Vet Center, Lucky Dog, Snowball Pet’s Grooming Salon, and Benebone. Thank you for your support!

Costume Contest Winners

Best Overall & Best Group: Wizard of Oz, with dog Tucker
Best Small Pup: MTA Subway Staff, with dog Lola
Best Pup & Owner: Coca-Cola polar bear family with dog Barley
Best Large Pup: Inside Out Emotions, with dogs Judy and Archie
Spookiest: Farmer, with dog Luna

About Riverside Park Conservancy

From 59th Street to 181st Street, from riverfront to city-side, Riverside Park Conservancy cares for and enhances six miles of parkland for present and future generations. Working together with the New York City Parks Department, we make improvements as diverse as the park itself and the city it serves.

Calling all Riverside Park Pups! Grab your humans and get ready to wag your tail in Riverside Park Conservancy’s inaugural Halloween Pup Parade! Join us on Saturday, October 26 from 12:00-3:00 PM.

Pups are encouraged to don their most creative costumes as we parade through the park, spreading Halloween cheer and cuteness overload! Whether you come dressed as a tiny pumpkin or a fierce superhero, all breeds, sizes, and spooky styles are welcome.

The parade will start on the promenade by 116th Street and will end at Ellington in the Park, where we will convene for our Costume Contest, music, special giveaways and lots of Halloween merriment.

SPECTATOR INFO:
Looking for the best spot to watch the festivities? The Parade will prance down the Promenade inside the park from 116th Street, ending at “Ellington in the Park” upper level, opposite the 105th Street Dog Run, where we will hold our Costume Contest. The seating at Ellington is first-come, first-serve. There will be ample viewing opportunities along the Promenade, but if you’re looking to watch the contest, we suggest arriving at Ellington by 1pm. Join us to see who wins the Best Pup in each of our six judged categories — and cast your vote in person for the People’s Choice Award!

SCHEDULE:

12:00 pm – Parade assembly & check-in at 116th St

12:30 – Procession Step-off

1:30 – Costume Contest at Ellington in the Park

2:00 – Halloween Party time

Please note: registration to walk in the parade is now closed!

If you have any questions about the event, reach out to [email protected].

If you’re interested in being a sponsor of the inaugural Pup Parade (which comes with some pretty paw-some perks) please contact [email protected].