The Spooky Pooch Parade takes place at Kauffman Park, offering a festival for dog lovers and a special parade with all types of costumes.
2023 DATE: October 14, 2023
Location: Madison Park
13201 Madison Ave
Lakewood, OH 44107
Website: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2023-spooky-pooch-parade-tickets-692578810867
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This post documents my experience on October 21, 2017.
Out at Kauffman Park…
…dogs were arriving as race horses…
…lifeguards…
…and pizzas…
…so that they could be registered to walk in the Spooky Pooch Parade (LakewoodAlive).
As the DJ played various dance and Halloween tunes…
…dog owners and their pooches showcased their costumes…
…with references to Star Wars…
…Stephen King’s It…
…The Wizard of Oz…
…and Sesame Street.
Meanwhile, kids took advantage of the games and park playground…
…dogs posed for a caricature…
…and festival goers shopped among the arc of vendors…
…for holistic and all natural dog foods (Best Breed/Lake Erie)…
…an assortment of dog treats (Grateful Dog Bakery/Spoiled Dog Boss)…
…all sorts of dog services (The Barkley Pet Hotel)…
…and a bit of jewelry and apparel for themselves.
Eventually, parade participants started to line up…
…but it was hard not to thing about eating something before the parade begin…
…even if just a quick bite.
Fortunately, there were food vendors available with smoked BBQ (The Gorilla)…
…and quite the selection of treats and goodies (K-9 Cafe)…
…strictly for dogs.
Two o’clock drew nearer and festival goers went to the streets.
When the big moment arrived…
…pooches and their owners took over Detroit Avenue…
…proudly showing off their costumes…
…and bringing delight to everyone.