The Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade will go on — or will it? Why no one seems to know.

2023 photo by Stacie Joy

Reporting by Stacie Joy

In recent years, as Halloween approaches, we have received updates on the Tomkins Square Halloween Dog Parade. Sometimes, there is an on-again-off-again dance, and this year is no different — except that we are still all in limbo for the 34th edition. 

With the Parade scheduled in just a few days, no one seems to know what is happening. 

Joseph Borduin, the parade producer, seems as confused as we are. He mentions a frustrating and ongoing lack of cooperation from the City and a long wait with bureaucratic stumbling blocks to get the event up and running on (gulp) Saturday — this Saturday. 

As of press time, the event has been pared down to a parade processional only — no contests, no judges, emcees, stage or prizes — and the location has been moved to Avenue A between 14th Street and Seventh Street, with barricades preventing (or attempting to prevent) people from entering Tompkins Square Park. There will also be a registration process, with a cap of 800 people. The event hours are still 1 to 3 p.m., and the parade is sponsored by The Veterinary Emergency Group. 

Right now, there are more questions than answers. Borduin said he and his team of organizers are "still waiting for the city to schedule a walkthrough with city agencies to approve the parade route before they can release anything official."

So, even this information may be subject to change. As soon as we have more information, we'll share it with you.