At the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Festival

Photos by Stacie Joy 

The Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Festival — the 32nd of the event FKA Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade — took place this past Saturday. 

On a perfect fall day, crowds descended onto Tompkins Square Park for the event, co-hosted by Dan Schachner, a former NFL referee who now serves as host of the Puppy Bowl, and Jolie Dudley, co-founder of Must Love Dogs and Comedy. (They are pictured below with event organizer Joseph Borduin in the middle.)

The main stage was in the center of the Park, where EVG contributor Stacie Joy was stationed. There was also a second stage on the ballfields/skate area.

As for the hundreds of entrants... standouts included topical costumes, such as the spotted lanternfly and the FBI/Mar-a-Lago presidential papers ... and plenty of pop-cultural outfits (the "Star Wars" franchise is always popular) ... and the Midtown Uniform tribute with Brad and Chad and the bodega kitty, complete with a moveable shop.  Oh, and there was also an opossum.  (You can find a list of the winners here. You can vote for the Best in Show at this link.)

And now just a few of the many contestants...

The Dog Parade/Festival occurred in East River Park in 2018, 2019 and 2021. (That venue is no longer available.) The 2020 pandemic version was mostly virtual, with a small in-person/dog event at Lucky on Avenue B.