A STORY for Introverts:
Maybe you’ve already heard of this delightful event hosted by Tompkins Square Park every year. If not, I won’t judge you for living under a rock. If you have and you’re just here for the cute photos, I won’t hold that against you either. This is pretty much exactly what it sounds like. Around Halloween, humans dress their dogs in flamboyant and creative costumes to be paraded through the park. The stages host different contests, like Best New York Themed Costume and Best Chihuahua, but you can see plenty of epic cosplay just by turning around and looking down.
There were pumpkins and bumble bees, lantern flies, aliens, sailors, Cher, Chucky, Jesus, dinosaurs, devils, pirates and pickles, and a bodega cat, the clear fan favorite! It didn’t matter if the costume was a cheap, store-bought design or something artfully crafted by their loving human; each pup looked lip-quiveringly adorable. Despite the irritating heat, I stood there soaked in sweat to catch one more little cutie.
Just-So-You-Know DETAILS:
Tompkins Square Park has thrown this event for a few decades now, so almost every dog-owned human is in on the fun at this point. Not everyone enters their buddies into the contests, but there are several categories to choose from if they do. The organizers have done a wonderful job balancing the chaos of silly dogs and the enthusiasm of bored New Yorkers looking for something to do on a Saturday in October. The contests allow us to see a bunch of the costumes and celebrate the extreme craftsmanship going on. More booths and activities would only distract and interrupt the main show. I was just happy to walk through the park, taking pictures of so many fluffy puppies.
The GIST – Should You Visit the Halloween Dog Parade?
Be warned, this event has a massive pull. Most of the time, I was surrounded by people and struggled to move in any direction. For the claustrophobic introvert, this could be very triggering. I stayed for less than 20 minutes for this reason (that and the disrespectful heat pouring down my face). However, I was swimming in the dopamine after oohing and awing over every cuddly critter. I recommend finding a good spot to sit and watch them pass by. Or, follow the line of contestants to see the cream of the crop. That’s where I found bodega cat and the Flintstones.
Because this event is free, you don’t have to feel guilty if the crowd proves overwhelming and you dip out early. If you do stay, who knows what kind of friends you might make, furry or otherwise. I don’t know about you, but if I’m going to meet new people, they need to be the kind who would go to something like this with me. Despite the incredible mob of humans, this was fun and so worth it. I only suggest that the more sensitive introverts avoid the lazy river of gawkers. Don’t get carried away by the flow of these picture-takers, no matter how tempting that darling chihuahua looks in a tutu.
Originally published on October 26, 2022.
Stay updated each year at the parade’s site.
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