Dog Days: Registration Now Open For LakewoodAlive’s 11th Annual Spooky Pooch Parade

Photo by The Lakewood Observer

Popular Autumn Canine Event Brings Bark to Kauffman Park on October 20 

This one is for the dogs…but you’re invited, too.  Registration is now open for LakewoodAlive’s 11th Annual Spooky Pooch Parade, a celebration of costumed canines taking place on Saturday, October 20, 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 represents one of the only events of its kind in the region, providing a tail-wagging good time for canine and human guests alike.  Last year’s Spooky Pooch Parade drew nearly 350 canines and an estimated crowd of 2,500 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 nonprofit community development organization striving to foster and sustain vibrant neighborhoods in Lakewood. 

For more information and to register your dog, please visit LakewoodAlive.org/SpookyPooch.

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.

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 Dog & Child, Best Dog & Adult, Best Dog & Group, Spookiest Pooch and Best in Show. Contestants must participate in the parade in order to be eligible to win a prize.

“We’re thrilled to have our Spooky Pooch Parade return to Downtown Lakewood for an 11th consecutive year,” said Ian Andrews, Executive Director of LakewoodAlive. “This crowd-pleasing community event not only showcases our city’s vibrancy, but also results in a great deal of fun for everyone who participates.”

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:
Milo & MeInn The DoghousePetPeople

Matt Bixenstine

I am the Marketing & Development Manager for LakewoodAlive. I enjoy all things Lakewood, especially walking my basset hound through Madison Park.

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Volume 14, Issue 17, Posted 4:23 PM, 09.04.2018