Dressing up for Halloween is a timeless tradition. Most kids and teenagers spend all of October planning out what they are going to be. For some, it is planning out what the family furry friend is going to wear.
Charlesgate Farmer’s Market was host to Pawsh Dog Boutique’s second annual “Barktober Halloween Pup Party and Parade” to benefit “The Muddy Water Initiative.” The dogs and some adults dressed in their finest costumes in hopes of winning one of the six prizes available for attendees. One dog that stood out was a chihuahua mix named Savannah who was dressed as a beer caddy. Her owner, Nancy Loughridge, shared insight on what her and Savannah did with the winnings last year.
“I’ve been doing this for about five years. The fan favorite had to be last year’s taco truck costume, and I don’t think I will be able to outdo it,” said Loughridge. “When we win, I go out and buy a bunch of toys to donate to local animal shelters around town. And of course, I love to win but it isn’t about winning.”
Loughridge shared that Savannah started out as a red Lego brick, and from there it has gotten only more creative. She shared that Savannah also is fully content with the costumes and it was quite obvious as she sat there quietly. Loughridge’s dedication and love for the event was evidently clear as she shared her insights on the costume contest.
Other dogs were dressed to the nines as well with costumes such as Buzz Lightyear, Flounder, Curious George and Patrick Bateman—though identified as “Pup”trick Bateman.
At 11:45 a.m. the Pup-parade began, with all participants lining up and walking down the red carpet. Owners and dogs alike went down the carpet, posing for the photographer before waiting patiently for the remaining participants to go. Once they finished their walk, they had a brief intermission before announcing the winners.
They had two different categories, individual dog costumes and owner-dog costumes. From the individual costumes, a greyhound dressed as a dinosaur took third place, a Glinda pup took second, and first place went to the energetic pup dressed as Patrick Bateman. For group costumes third went to a father-dog duo dressed as Freddy Kreugar, second place went to Ursula and Flounder, and first place went to the hair metal rocker family.
Pawsh Boutique was extremely accommodating to the attendees, and shared that they partnered with “The Muddy Waters initiative” in hopes to work on cleaner river water for humans and dogs alike.
They gave out gift bags to all participants, including a variety of fun things for the dogs. It is clear just how much the event has become a part of the community, even in its secondary year of running.
Every single person involved has an immense love for what they do, and they adore bringing happiness to locals, even just for a second.
