Halloween dog parades(游行), where dogs get around in fun costumes(服装), are a fairly common scene during this time of the year. However, the largest and most popular gathering of its kind is New York City's Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade. The annual event attracts over 300 dogs and their proud owners, who often wear matched costumes to help their four-legged friends win the Best of Show title.
Now celebrating its 29th year, the 2019 parade took place at the East River Park Amphitheater on Sunday, October 20. Hundreds of New Yorkers braved the dark weather and light rain to admire the dogs acting as famous persons, fictional books and movie characters, popular foods, and even other animals. Among the most famous were two dogs dressed as Sesame Street's Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. Their owners joined in the fun by dressing up as popular muppets (木偶), Bert and Ernie.
A four-legged "Snoop Dogg" also made an appearance, complete with a famous American singers gold chain and sunglasses. A kind-looking dog dressed as Little Red Riding Hood showed up together with a "Big Bad Wolf".
The 2019 Best of Show title, which came with a $500 gift card, went to two Yorkshire Terriers dressed as the leading characters from Charles Schulz's bestselling cartoon novel Snoopy and the Red Baron. The well-designed costumes included a doghouse and a model World War I plane, which took the owner over a month to build.
A Jack Russell Terrier dressed as a bowl of noodles and his "chef" owner were awarded second place, while a dog and its owners, acting as characters from the 2019 horror movie Midsommar, placed third. Regardless of whether or not they won, the dogs and their owners all had a great time showing off their costumes to the cheering crowds.
