It was a procession of paws!
About a hundred pups headed to the People’s Playground to strut their four-legged stuff at Luna Park for the sixth-annual Dog Parade and Costume Contest on Oct. 14. The event brought together pooches and their owners from across the city, and helped the two-legged attendees bond over their love of canines, according to one attendee.
“It’s a great event for the community and dog lovers,” said Ronald Pinnales, who trekked to the event from faraway Queens with his girlfriend, Evelyn Rodriguez, and their two pooches, Chester and Percy.
The pups paraded for a half hour around the amusement park, and then took their places for the costume contest. The pooches were awarded titles in categories that included being the cutest, best in show, audience choice, and most original, among others.
Two-legged model — and dog lover — Candice Huffine served on the panel of five judges to determine which pups were the top fashionistas. And the four-legged winners took home treats and prizes from the event’s local pup-loving sponsors, including Petco, ShaggySwag, and Rubie’s Pet Shop.
Pinnales and Rodriguez dressed their 3-year-old French bulldog, Chester, as a pilot from Star Wars, and their 3-year-old Shih Tzu, Percy, as a convict. And while the pups didn’t take home any prizes, their owners were just glad the two very different dogs both seemed to enjoy the event, Pinnales said.
“Chester’s very hyper, but Percy, not so much — he’s very behaved,” he said.
