It was a beautiful, sunny day this past Sunday for the eighth annual Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade at the Landmark on Main Street’s Blumenfeld Family Park, from 11-2 p.m.
Dogs of all breeds, shapes, sizes and colors were invited to don a costume and prance with their neighbors in local support of the Shelter Connection – a volunteer organization at the Town of North Hempstead Animal Shelter.
All dogs from Port Washington and its surrounding areas were welcomed.
“It’s a hoot to see the dogs in costumes,” said Laura Pallattella, owner of Unleashed Pet Boutique of 160 Main Street, which sponsored the event for its eighth consecutive year.
This year, there were more than 50 dogs that came to show off their costumes throughout the event.
“I am so pleased that the money goes to a worthy cause,” added Pallatella.
It’s all run and organized by friends of Pallatella who volunteer alongside the whole Shelter Connection gang. Money raised goes directly to the Shelter Connection, which then pays veterinarians to perform surgeries to those dogs surrendered to the Town.
They are homeless animals, and the money also goes to training the dogs, as well. Gift baskets were awarded to dogs with the best costume. There were three categories: small, medium, and large -sized dogs. Registration was free and owners were asked to make a donation (up to their discretion) to the Shelter Connection, based out of the town’s animal shelter. Winners walked away with baskets and tins of appropriate sized dog biscuits and treats. Raffles were sold representing local businesses who contributed gift certificates: Franks Pizza, Entrée Clothing Boutique and Lala Nail Salon and Spa were participators.
First prize for the small dog category went to Butter the Bulldog dressed as a sheriff. The winner of the medium-sized dog class went to the deaf and blind Collie named Parker who was dressed as a pilot. Two furry Sheepdogs named Harry and Nannabell took home the prize for the large-sized dog category. The Sheepdogs were dressed as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. Honorable mention went to a black Labrador dressed as a skier.
Judges were Town Clerk Leslie Gross, who “if it weren’t for our Town Clerk, we would never get the park to host this event,” said Pallatella. Other judges were Port resident Grace DeSilva and nearby resident Jerry Lechner.
