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.

The Hippo Playground Project Presents: Hippo Playground Summer Concert Series!

Michael Napolitano from  Michael & the Rockness Monsters, a band whose electrifying performances and heartfelt music have earned them acclaim nationwide. Michael Napolitano is the founder, and director of Rockness Music. He performs, composes, produces, and engineers all of the music for Rockness Music and Michael & the Rockness Monsters. They deliver dynamic live shows filled with infectious energy and soul-stirring melodies. From coast to coast, the music is a blend of humor, heart, and high-octane performance that leaves audiences mesmerized, creating unforgettable experiences that transcend mere entertainment.

 

For up-to-date information about the performances follow:

Instagram: hippoplaygrounduws | Facebook: Hippo Playground – UWS

The Summer Concert Series is fully funded by proceeds from the Hippo Spring Fair.

The Hippo Playground Project Presents: Hippo Playground Summer Concert Series!

Mil’s Trills is a Brooklyn-based children’s music project dedicated to creating positive inclusive music-making experiences that strive to empower and embrace young audiences and families. Through joyful collaborative live shows engaging albums, and the interactive songwriting web series, they work to find new creative ways of bringing people together towards a peaceful global community.  Mils Trills is led by Amelia Robinson who writes and performs original lively tunes on her electric ukulele with the help of a rotating cast of musical guests.

 

For up-to-date information about the performances follow:

Instagram: hippoplaygrounduws | Facebook: Hippo Playground – UWS

The Summer Concert Series is fully funded by proceeds from the Hippo Spring Fair.

The Hippo Playground Project Presents: Hippo Playground Summer Concert Series!

Joanie Leeds is a Grammy-award winning musician best known for her work as children’s musical artist. Over the past decade, Joanie has won 1st place in the USA Songwriting Competition, an Independent Music Award, a GOLD Parent’s Choice Award, NAPPA GOLD Award, Family Choice Award and is a John Lennon Songwriting Competition Finalist and International Songwriting Competition Finalist.

 

For up-to-date information about the performances follow:

Instagram: hippoplaygrounduws | Facebook: Hippo Playground – UWS

The Summer Concert Series is fully funded by proceeds from the Hippo Spring Fair.

The Hippo Playground Project Presents: Hippo Playground Summer Concert Series!

CARA SAMANTHA  is a Grammy award winning background vocalist and American Idol alum who infuses jazzy soul into her unique pop stylings. She is a prominent voiceover artist who was featured as the singing voices of Adele, Elsa, Ellie Goulding, Madonna and more in The Key of Awesome’s viral music parodies on YouTube with several million views and voiced the co-lead character in Audible’s original story, Jukebox Joyride by The Pop Ups. Howard Stern loved one of Cara’s vocals so much that he personally gave her a shoutout live, on-air, during his morning show.

 

For up-to-date information about the performances follow:

Instagram: hippoplaygrounduws | Facebook: Hippo Playground – UWS

The Summer Concert Series is fully funded by proceeds from the Hippo Spring Fair.

The Hippo Playground Project Presents: Hippo Playground Summer Concert Series!

Hopalong Andrew is NYC-based singer-songwriter, Andrew Vladeck, a folk and western music artist who performs original and traditional cowboy-themed music. He’s collaborated with many renowned musicians and won various songwriting awards, including 1st Place in International Songwriting Competition, and nods from Billboard, IMAs, GASC, UKSC. He’s shared bills with The National, Andrew Bird, Norah Jones, Soulive, Beth Orton, Moe, Jeff Buckley, Ani DiFranco and many more.

 

For up-to-date information about the performances follow:

Instagram: hippoplaygrounduws | Facebook: Hippo Playground – UWS

The Summer Concert Series is fully funded by proceeds from the Hippo Spring Fair.

The Hippo Playground Project Presents: Hippo Playground Summer Concert Series!

Esther Crow is a NYC award-winning singer, songwriter, kids’ entertainer, puppeteer and member of the Recording Academy. She has been writing and performing music for many years (including with her rock band, The Electric Mess), but after her son’s birth, she became inspired to write music for children.

 

For up-to-date information about the performances follow:

Instagram: hippoplaygrounduws | Facebook: Hippo Playground – UWS

The Summer Concert Series is fully funded by proceeds from the Hippo Spring Fair.

Music, storytelling, and theater for young audiences up to age 7. Wear sunscreen. Stroller parking in designated area is mandatory.

July 18: Flor Bromley / bilingual songs and storytelling

Flor Bromley is a Latin GRAMMY® nominee singer/songwriter for families. Originally from Peru, she dedicates her life to creating music for kids that elevates our Latin culture making it her mission to share her bilingual experience with a new generation. She is a professionally trained musical theater actress who uses global rhythms, the power of storytelling, and puppetry to engage audiences of all backgrounds and ages. She has released 4 bilingual family albums and songs have been featured and played on the top 13 of Sirius XM’s Kids Place Live and PBS WNET Thirteen TV program “Let’s Learn.” Her album “Fiesta Global” was named an official selection of notable works for children by the American Library Association.

Summer on the Hudson events are free and open to the public. Seating is limited, unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be canceled. For weather updates, check nyc.gov/parks/soh 2 hours before the event.

 

 

 

 

Music, storytelling, and theater for young audiences up to age 7. Wear sunscreen. Stroller parking in designated area is mandatory.

July 11: Hopalong Andrew / high-spirited urban cowboy tunes

Hopalong Andrew is NYC-based singer-songwriter, Andrew Vladeck, a folk and western music artist who performs original and traditional cowboy-themed music. He’s collaborated with many renowned musicians and won various songwriting awards, including 1st Place in International Songwriting Competition, and nods from Billboard, IMAs, GASC, UKSC. He’s shared bills with The National, Andrew Bird, Norah Jones, Soulive, Beth Orton, Moe, Jeff Buckley, Ani DiFranco and many more.

His award-winning debut album “Howdy Do!” (2018) celebrates city life and the “can do spirit.” His upcoming release (2024) honors the incredible-but-true diverse and multicultural heritage of the American West.

Summer on the Hudson events are free and open to the public. Seating is limited, unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be canceled. For weather updates, check nyc.gov/parks/soh 2 hours before the event.

 

 

 

 

Music, storytelling, and theater for young audiences up to age 7. Wear sunscreen. Stroller parking in the designated area is mandatory.

July 25: Miss Tutti & the Fruity Band / celebrating confidence and inclusivity

Miss Tutti And The Fruity Band is a musical children’s project celebrating themes of body confidence, inclusivity, and LGBTQ+ representation! They are creating a musical safe space for all kids and families.

Their debut album “Confidence Juice” is composed of 8 upbeat retro-pop tunes co-produced by music educator Gracie Nash and 2-time Grammy/Tony award winner Charlie Rosen. Every song celebrates the things that make them unique.

Summer on the Hudson events are free and open to the public. Seating is limited, unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be canceled. For weather updates, check nyc.gov/parks/soh 2 hours before the event.

 

 

 

 

Music, storytelling, and theater for young audiences up to age 7. Wear sunscreen. Stroller parking in designated area is mandatory.

August 1: Elena Moon Park & Friends / children’s folk music from around the globe

Elena Moon Park and Friends performs music for all-ages audiences across NYC and beyond. The band plays folk and children’s music from around the globe, with an emphasis on East Asia, and original songs.

Their album, Rabbit Days and Dumplings, features reimagined folk and children’s songs from East Asia, including Korea, Japan, China, Taiwan and Tibet. Released in fall 2012 by Festival Five Records, the album has received lovely feedback, including a Parent’s Choice Award and a feature on NPR’s All Things Considered.

Summer on the Hudson events are free and open to the public. Seating is limited, unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be canceled. For weather updates, check nyc.gov/parks/soh 2 hours before the event.

 

 

 

 

Enjoy fun for family and friends at this outdoor party featuring a children’s entertainer, arts and crafts, and neighborhood fun! All performances at 2pm.

June 8: Zing! / kid-focused fitness, games, and challenges.

Summer on the Hudson events are free and open to the public. Seating is limited, unreserved, and available on a first-come, first-served basis. If there is heavy rain at the time of the event, the event will be canceled. For weather updates, check nyc.gov/parks/soh 2 hours before the event.