Spooky Pooch Parade Returns October 20

LakewoodAlive is set to host what has become an annual tradition in Downtown Lakewood: the Spooky Pooch Parade. This year’s event will once again fill the streets with hundreds of our favorite canine friends donning costumes in celebration of the Halloween season. The festival is free while the parade registration cost is $10 (pre-register) or $15 day-of. Bring your dogs dressed in their scariest, funniest, or most outrageous costumes. Register today at spookypoochparade.com. All are welcome to attend this pet- and family-friendly festival.

The day starts off with a pre-parade festival and registration at 12:30pm at the St. Charles Green, just north of Detroit Avenue between St. Charles and Belle Avenues. The festival features a fantastic gathering of diverse vendors that bring a unique collection of doggie creations and activities. Mad Mouth Gyros, KB Confections Bake Shoppe and Olive Branch Kettle Corn will be at the festival serving savory treats for our human friends. The Ohio Air Dogs will be on display every fifteen minutes as they will showcase flying disc and agility demonstrations in the center of the festival. This year’s event also has a handful of fantastic sponsors. The Top Dog Sponsor is The Furry Nation. The Poochy Sponsors are Pawsitive Influence, Pet-Tique, Inn The Doghouse, Pet-People, Lakewood Animal Hospital, Pet’s General Store, First Federal of Lakewood, Lakewood Hospital and Discount Drug Mart.

The Spooky Pooch Parade will step off from St. Charles Green at 2pm along St. Charles to Detroit Avenue, then west on Detroit Avenue. Once the parade reaches Elmwood Avenue, marchers will turn back and head east on Detroit to St. Charles and back to St. Charles Green. Judges will choose the best of the best in five categories: Spookiest Pooch, Most Creative Dog & Child, Most Original Dog & Adult, Best non-motorized float and Best in Show. This year’s Best in Show will win a year’s supply of dog food provided by Pet’s General Store.

New this year: visit The Furry Nation (15800 Detroit Avenue) on Friday, October 19th from 5 - 8pm to pick up your parade numbers and t-shirts if you registered online or register in person during this time to avoid the day-of rush.

The entire community is invited to visit the festival and line Detroit Avenue from St. Charles to Elmwood Avenues to see one of the best pet parades in the country.

For any questions please visit www.spookypoochparade.com or call LakewoodAlive at 216.521.0655

Ian Andrews is the Executive Director at LakewoodAlive.