Spooky Pooch Parade

By: Laila Schwin and Valery Warner

October 7, 2021

Next Saturday on October 16 marks the 14th annual Spooky Pooch Parade in Lakewood, Ohio. The parade is part of a larger dog-themed festival at Madison Park, and it is free to the general public. The festival is full of dog-themed vendors, mostly small businesses, that you can support, even if you do not have a dog participating in the parade. 

Other events at the festival include music by DJ Byron, dog games, crafts, a dog yoga class, and of course, all of the vendors and their dog products. There will also be a 50/50 raffle. This festival begins at 12:30 p.m. at Madison Park, which will also mark the beginning of the parade route later in the day. 

At 2:00 in the afternoon, all registered owners and their dogs will come together for the parade. The parade route will take them from Madison Park through Lakewood’s Birdtown neighborhood. 

Shortly after the parade, a costume contest will be held. The contest is for all dogs and people participating in the parade. The contest will be judged in the categories of Best Pooch and Child, Best Pooch and Adult, and Best Pooch and Group. 

There will also be awards and prizes for the Spookiest Pooch and the Best in Show. The winner of the Best in Show award will receive a year’s worth of free dog food. 

Registration opened on August 25, but dogs can be registered up until the day before the event for $10. Discounts are available if multiple dogs are registered. You can register for the event at Lakewood Alive.

Day-of registration for the event is $15 per dog. All profits made from the parade and registration costs will go directly to Lakewood Alive, a community nonprofit organization.

This may anger the feline population, but may the best pooch win!