Their boo is worse than their bite.
Hundreds of four-legged New Yorkers — and thousands more onlookers — took to Manhattan’s streets in a cavalcade of costumes Sunday as part of the 35th annual Halloween Dog Parade.
The quirky East Village tradition trekking down Avenue B featured show-stopping pooches in elaborate looks inspired by the likes of the Moulin Rouge, Guns N’ Roses, Barbie and even the president.
Among the dolled-up doggies was 8-year-old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Frankie Sinatra of Long Island.
“We got [him] the pilot costume one year for Halloween,” said Frankie’s owner, Lucy Adragna, of Southampton, who works assisting real-life aviators at Republic Airport in Farmingdale. “I dress him up every year, and it grew into doing parades. … He loves all the attention.”
Rachel McCaslin, 30, of Gowanus was with her recently rescued pup Daphne, who was dressed as Nerds Gummy Clusters candy.
“People love dogs, this just makes people smile,” McCaslin said. “It’s joy, and we need it now more than ever.”
Scores of dog-free revelers also flocked to the pooch parade, with 24-year-old West Village resident Emma Garman proudly proclaiming, “We’re dog enthusiasts” as she waited by the barricade for the parade to start.
“I love it, I keep coming back every year — and I bring other people with me,” said pal Miranda Fairbanks.
East Village resident Theo Tittle said, “I think [the parade] brings people together.
“It’s hard to find community sometimes,” Tittle, 23, said. “People with their dogs in New York are a bit careful and shelter their dogs.
“But I feel like today it’s breaking that barrier and letting people interact with them.”
The organizers of the event, the nonprofit New York Dog Parade, said the offbeat event’s attendance has seen “soaring” numbers in recent years – with it now recognized as the largest Halloween dog celebration in the world.
“Community events that center on joy and silliness are worth holding onto — especially right now,” New York Dog Parade founder Fern Watt said in a statement.
“Yes, the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is about dressing your pup in a beautiful, sometimes even statement-making costume, but it’s also about celebrating our friendship with dogs — the companions who make our city and our lives happier every day.”
Following pup parade tradition, this year’s grand marshals hailed from the city’s crowded animal shelters in hopes of finding a future fur-ever friend in the crowd.
The honorees included 5month-old terrier-boxer mix That’s Hot, 4-year-old Olive and adorable mutt Brunson repping Pup Starz Rescue, Social Tees and the ASPCA, respectively.
The parade’s canine costume competition – featuring 300 photo-ready entrants – was whittled down to 20 finalists following the march, with competitors ranging from French bulldog Halvor sporting an “Audrey II” costume from “Little Shop of Horrors” to Yorkipoo Puccini wearing matching Nutcracker costumes with former Radio City Rockette Leslie Riddle.
Ultimately, it was furry trio Charlie, Emily and Zoey dressed as a “cereal killer” crime scene — complete with a human “Snap,” “Crackle” and “Pop” — that was issued the top prize: a year’s worth of free dog food.
“I’m just so impressed by the creativity: this is the best of New York right here,” said contest judge Matt Sherman, of Pumpkin pet insurance.
“You don’t get this anywhere else.”
The post Costumed canines strut stuff in NYC’s Halloween Dog Parade appeared first on New York Post.
