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.

Celebrate the season with a holiday tree lighting, live music, decoration making, and hot chocolate (while supplies last). Tree lighting at 5:30pm, rain date Sunday, December 8.

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].

Join The Nature Conservancy and Riverside Park Conservancy for an immersive City of Forest Day experience led by a soundscape practitioner. Bring your own blanket to this sound bath inspired by the New York City urban forest, meant to enhance awareness of how trees and the network of people that care for it nourish New Yorkers physically and emotionally.

3:30 PM – Sound area opens

4:00 PM – Welcome/Sound Bath by Jeffrey Connors

5:00 PM – Closing and reflections along Hudson River sunset

This is an all-ages event. Registration is suggested but not required. Entry is first-come first-served and not guaranteed with registration.

In the event of rain, this event will be cancelled. Register to receive notifications and event updates.

Learn more about:

City of Forest Day

Future Forest NYC/The New York City Urban Forest

Notice of Photography: By attending this event, you agree to be photographed and/or filmed. Your participation constitutes your consent to such photographs, audio/video recordings, including any media which contains your image or likeness, for any purpose at The Nature Conservancy’s sole discretion. You also consent to the use of your name in connection with such images.

Please let a staff member know if you do not consent to being photographed.

Learn about the composting facility operated within Riverside Park as a part of the Summer on the Hudson horticultural tours.

RSVP Here.

Don headphones and party on the pier at this Quiet Clubbing event featuring three live DJs spinning tunes of different genres.

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.

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: