More than 600 pups strutted along in their best costumes for the 33rd annual Halloween Dog Parade in New York City on Saturday.
There were more than 15,000 animal lovers in attendance as the event had an official parade route for the very first time along Avenue B from 12th to Seventh streets.
The dogs posed on floats, came on leashes and were carried in their owners’ arms at the event.
Around 600 people signed up for the costume contest for their dogs. Judges nominated the best 40 before it was narrowed down to six with the winner determined by the loudest audience applause.
Pookah the Pomeranian from the Upper West Side was crowned the winner with her Winnie the Pooh inspired outfit. She wore a red sweatshirt and sat in a fake pot of honey and won best dressed.
Pookah the Pomeranian from the Upper West Side was crowned the winner with her Winnie the Pooh inspired outfit alongside her owners who were dressed as Piglet and Tigger
She wore a red sweatshirt and sat in a fake pot of honey and won best dressed
There were more than 15,000 animal lovers in attendance as the event had an official parade route for the very first time along Avenue B from 12th to Seventh streets
Apart from Pookah, others were also inspired by movies with this dog and its owner going as characters from the Barbie movie
One cute dog was seen wearing a costume that read ‘letting the dogs out’ referring to popular Baha Men hit ‘Who Let The Dogs Out?’ while dressed as a criminal
Along with the bizarre and eclectic costumes were a number of dog owners who also took the opportunity to dress up
The film theme continued with this pair dressed like the Joker from Batman
Otherworldly costumes like this dog dressed as an alien were also a common theme
Organizers of the East Village event nearly canceled it this year after outgrowing their location in Tompkins Square but luckily the event went off without a hitch
What started as a small gathering of friends for Halloween has ballooned into a cornerstone of New York City’s spooky season and draws thousands to East village
To stage the parade and costume competition, organizers needed to have the streets blocked off
Organizers announced the cancellation last month, sparking backlash on social media before help stepped in – but on the day people were all smiles that the event didn’t get the thumbs down
The event was revived with assistance from the office of Mayor Eric Adams, which coordinated with multiple agencies to secure the proper permits and bring down costs
Jurassic Park was also featured as part of the costumes for the spooky event
Despite drawing 15,000 people the annual event is yet to become official
The parade almost doubled its numbers from the previous year as people took their time thinking of costumes
Last year there were only 8,000 people but this year a crowd of 15,000 people descended on the village
Some topical commentary also featured in costumes such as this pair who came as the Paris bed bugs
Local pet owners were similarly ecstatic to hear the parade was back on with many spending months planning their pet costumes