Downtown Crossing welcomed dogs and owners of Boston to the 10th annual Doggone Halloween Parade. The competition this year was fierce, with over 150 entries and dogs of all breeds and sizes making their way into the city to show off their extravagant costumes.
Founder of Doggone Halloween, David Ertischek returned to the event as the judge of the ‘cutest costume category.’ The event was invented after Ertischek’s time as a journalist he worked with the Business Improvement District.
“When I was a full time journalist, many years ago, I tried to report on animal related issues,” said Ertischeks. “I worked for the BID . . . I was their communications and social media manager, and their former founder, Rosemarie Sansone, she wanted events for people to come and hang out and stay. I thought like, dogs in costumes draws people in. So we did it that way.”
The event featured vendors with pet accessories, treats and a beer garden for owners and spectators to make this exciting event even more spectacular, but nothing could top some of the unique outfits dawned by the dogs.
Strutting the costume that won ‘best adult and dog costume’ was sisters Charlotte and Whitney Hyland with Macaroni and Bada Bing, as a news crew complete with a newscaster and cameraman. With Macaroni as the news van and Bada Bing as the weather, this elaborate costume was a testament to the sisters years of experience in dog costume contests.
“We compete in different dog costume contests every year and we always make our costumes and try to compete in as many contests as we can. We’re sisters, so this is kind of our passion project together,” said Charlotte Hyland.
Crowd favorite, Cody, had the crowd cheering with the costumes play on his unique physicality. Cody, appropriately dressed as an IHOP, has three legs. Owner Lauren Vatier, who adopted Cody six months after the leg was amputated, has never seen this slow him down or shy away from being his spry, happy self.
“He has no idea he’s a little bit different,” said Vatier. “He’s always functioned like he’s got four legs, so he knows no difference.”
Winner of ‘best child and dog duo’ was selected by the Executive Director of the Hyatt Regency Chryssaldo Thomas, General Manager of the Hyatt Regency and his son CJ. The winners were a crew playing on the idea of sled dogs, with two kids dressed as wolves, hauling a homemade sled prop with a dog cozily wearing his jacket enjoying the free ride down the parade route.
“For me it was about effort, you know they had to put in a little bit of effort into the costume, and also since it’s judging kids I wanted to make sure the kids were dressed up properly as well. My pick was that the kids were adorable, I think that was the point,” said Thomas. “I think the sleigh and how the kids were pulling the sleigh was the reason why we chose them as the winner.”
Defending champion of the ‘best costume’ title, Murphy, and owners Molly and Kyle Roland came to the table with an exciting and timely costume that won them the ‘cutest costume’ title again this year. Last year Murphy was an F1 driver, with a homemade car. The quality of Murphy’s costumes is a testament to the excitement of his owners about the event.
“It’s so much fun, we love Halloween so it’s a great opportunity to just have some fun and dress up,” said Molly Roland.
Murphy posed as Mr.Murphy, the dog candidate for president. Advocating for “Wags for a better world—Better treats, greener grass,” Murphy solidified himself as a candidate to unite America.
Service dog in-training, Asa, partnered with owner Abigail Leanos, were enjoying the practical experience the packed event gave to the training pup. Asa was dressed as the famously large Clifford, a huge contrast to the small pomeranian’s stature. Leanos accompanies Emily-Elizabeth, practicing Asa’s skills they’ve been honing the past year.
“It’s been really really rewarding. We do it six weeks at a time where she trains a lot in public, in public scenarios with a lot of distractions, a lot of different time intervals of what I request of her,” said Leanos.
Being around plenty of people was a test the Asa certainly passed with flying colors, thanks to her training and work towards her service dog certification.
“We are so happy with how she is doing today,” said Leanos.
First time participants Steven Helferick and Sydney Yaeko, along with Giuseppe, showed off their matching outfits as two scotsmen. With Helferick wearing a matching kilt with Giuseppe, they got plenty of love from the crowd. As first time competitors in Boston, they were ready to see what Boston dog owners could bring to the table.
“We’re ready to see how Boston does it. We’ve been to the New York competition, local ones in Connecticut, but we’ve never been here before,” said Yaeko.
Taking their costumes very seriously, Helferick detailed all the elements that made Giuseppe’s costume so spectacular. Including his traditional Scottish kilt and vest.
The parade was a success with all winner’s walking away with a prize and all participants enjoying a good time of showing off their dogs and costuming skills this fall season.
