Celebrating Howl’oween

 

There has never been a shortage of things to do for children at Halloween time, but each year brings new opportunities for furry children of the four-legged kind to participate in the fun.  This year brings lots of costume contests, trick-or-treating, and parades across Southern California to be enjoyed by humans and pups alike.

This Weekend

Howling Halloween in the Park

Bring the kids and dogs down to Fountain Valley this Sunday, October 21^st, 2012 for a little trick-or-treating in the park.  The event will have costume contests, including Best Kid Costume, Best Dog Costume, Best Kid and Dog Costume Combo, and Best Family Costume. With games, food, drinks and more, your family is bound to have a good time.  The fun starts at 12 noon and continues until 5:00 p.m. at the Fountain Valley Recreation and Sports Park located at 16400 Brookhurst Street in Fountain Valley. For more information, check out the Desperate Paws of Orange County Dog Club website.

Next Weekend

Dog Daze at the Corona Crossings

Corona will be having a quiet Halloween celebration for the dogs on Saturday, October 27^th, 2012 from 5p.m. to 7p.m. The costume contests (which can be signed up for from 4:00 -4:45p.m.) will include Best Dog Costume and Best Dog and Human Costume Combo.  Participants will also get a chance to strut down the red carpet and check out the tail waggin’ booth sponsored by Petco. The event will take place by the large water fountain in front of Edwards Stadium 18 Theatre located at 2650 Tuscany Street in Corona. For a flyer, check out the Corona Crossings event page.

Paws on the Promenade Spooktacular

Temecula will be celebrating howl’oween this year to raise money for the areas local animal shelter Animal Friends of the Valley. The event will include a fundraiser walk (pet parade) and costume contest where participants are asked to donate at least $25.  The costume contest categories will include Best Costume, Best Dog and Human Look-A-Like Costume, Best Celebrity Look-A-Like Costume, and Best Float (stroller or wagons only).  The shelter is also in serious need of canned food and are welcoming all donations at the event.  Those who cannot participate are still encouraged to donate through the Animal Friends of the Valley website.

12^th Annual Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade

The biggest howl’oween event in California will be held Sunday, October 28^th, 2012 in Long Beach.  Last year over 500 costumed dogs and a few hundred kids registered and walked in the world famous parade seen by over 3,000 dogless gawkers.  The event raised $13,000 for the non-profit Community Action Team (CAT), which Haute Dog is a part of.  The money raised goes toward spay/neuter programs, adoption and rescue groups, Operation Santa Paws (bringing toys and blankets to shelter animals), and other Long Beach service projects.
The fair will take place from 12:30p.m. – 4:30p.m. with plenty to see and do such as vendors, pet adoption, bobbing for weenies, a treat stacking contest, bulldog kissing booth, huge pumpkin drops, and more.   The parade will begin at 2:30p.m. and last for about an hour.  The costume contests will include Best Dog Costume, Best Person Costume, Best Group, and Best Float (non-motorized, limit 4’ wide).  Gawkers are encouraged to bring a chair.  The event will be held at the Livingston Park located at 4900 E. Livingston Drive at Park Avenue in Belmont Shores, Long Beach.  For more information check out the Haute Dog website.

With all of the events taking place these next two weeks, you and your dog will not be short of things to do.  Have a fun and safe howl’oween, and please be sure to keep all candy out of reach from your pet.