OCEAN CITY — Dogs and their humans gathered on the Ocean City boardwalk for a howling good time during this year’s Dog Day and Howl-O-Ween Parade on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 21-22.
For the third year in a row, dogs were allowed on the boardwalk for a day all about them. This year the Humane Society of Ocean City got the city to expand the event and made it a full weekend of fun. The Humane Society runs the event each year and all proceeds benefit its shelter.
Dogs were permitted to step their paws on the boardwalk starting at 9 a.m. both days. On Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Santa came to town and all dogs could get free photos with him in a lifeguard boat. At noon the Humane Society announced the third Pet of the Year winner, Amelia, and at 1 p.m. registration for the parade began.
The parade was the biggest and most anticipated part of Saturday and began at 3 p.m. on Sixth Street. It cost $10 per dog to be in the parade. Owners dressed their dogs and many coordinated costumes for themselves.
There were mascots, tons of creative costumes and more all marching down the boardwalk to 12th Street. The Philadelphia Eagles mascot Swoop served as the grand marshal of the parade and led all his furry friends through blocks of barks and awing from fans.
Millville resident Brooke Smith and her dog Hazel visit Ocean City every year just for the parade. Smith said she loves seeing all the dogs dressed up and the overall excitement the parade brings to the day.
On Sunday, dogs were permitted on the boardwalk from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and many people took advantage of both days. There were dog vendors scattered around and a water and waste stop every few blocks.
Dog vendors for the weekend included Salty Paws, Black Sheep Dog Treats and Nancy’s Paw For All. Among the three there were plenty of special treats for the dogs and some patterned collars and bandanas the owners could buy.
Many of the shops lining the boardwalk took advantage of the great day and friendly vibe and opened their doors for the event so people could shop and eat wherever.
Manco and Manco presented a $5,000 check to the Humane Society of Ocean City as a thank you for hosting the event.
Cara and Ed Farrell drove down with their dog Maggie from Washington Township to join in the fun and march in the parade.
“I saw photos and a link to the event online and sent it over like, ‘Hey, you want to go get Maggie a costume?’ and now here we are with a dragon,” Farrell said. “We lost our other dog a month ago, so we wanted to come and get her out so she could have some fun with other dogs.”
Tiffany Lariai and her dog Lily drove up from Delaware just to spend the day on the boardwalk.
“I saw photos of the parade from last year and knew we had to come down,” Lariai said.
Courtney Venzie, shelter manager and animal control officer for the Humane Society, shared that they put this event on to let the dogs have fun on the boardwalk.
“I love seeing the costumes, the dogs walking in the parade and the exposure for the dogs to get some socialization,” Venzie said.
She also shared the amount of planning and work it takes to make the weekend come together. There were animal control officers scattered around the boardwalk to handle any issues that may have arose.
“This year having it expanded to two days, the whole weekend goes to the dogs,” Venzie said.
By DELANEY CRAWFORD/Special to the Sentinel