By MADDY VITALE
Hundreds of dogs and their human counterparts dressed in Halloween costumes for Ocean City’s “Howl-O-Ween” parade Saturday, breezing down the Boardwalk in a zany spectacle that delighted families.
There were pooches dressed up as Barbie dolls, a poodle wearing a poodle skirt, a family dressed as slices of pizza with a dog dressed as a meatball, and, yes, “Elvis” aka a dachshund, was spotted.
You can’t make this stuff up in an event that has grown since its inception three years ago.
City officials noted that many pet parents registered Saturday morning for the 3 p.m. parade.
The parade, hosted by the Humane Society of Ocean City (HSOC) in partnership with the city, went from Sixth Street to 14th Street on the Boardwalk.
Nina and Arthur Galpern, of Horsham, Pa., joined in the parade with their rescue Irish setters, Macca and Hannah, both around 6 years old. The couple visits Ocean City with their dogs often and the fact that the dogs could go on the boards made it a particularly special day, Nina said.
The setters had on scarves with shamrocks on them. Nina wore a green T-shirt with the words “100-percent Irish,” while Arthur sported a T-shirt with a decal of an Irish setter on it in a Halloween scene.
“It’s so nice to let the dogs on the Boardwalk. It’s a wonderful event and they’re having a great time – we’re having a great time, too,” Nina said. “For us, it’s the No. 1 event in Ocean City. I really like how the event helps raise funds for HSOC, too. We like to support them.”
Jamie Samia and her 7-year-old daughter, Steele, didn’t have to travel far to get to the parade with their Shih Tzu-Pomeranian named Gaspar. The family lives in Ocean City.
“She was so excited about the parade,” Jamie said of her daughter’s first dog parade. “It’s an amazing event.”
Steele said she wasn’t sure what she wanted to dress as and then she decided to be a barista and dress Gaspar as a beverage.
“It’s fun,” she said.
Lisa DaCosta, of Manahawkin, and Cathi Brozena, of Barnegat, brought their dogs, Tiki, dressed as a piñata, and Smokey, as a bandito.
“We take them everywhere and dress them up, so they are used to this,” DaCosta said of the dogs’ calm demeanor and the fact that they kept on their elaborate costumes without a fuss.
Then there was Lupini Molino, a 5-year-old dachshund who lives with his humans in Maryland. His humans were dressed as slices of pizza. He sat in a float with a faux meatball on his back.
In addition to the parade, there were other activities before and afterward that benefited the Humane Society of Ocean City.
Vendors sold items for dogs and photo-op stations. The HSOC “Pet of the Year” was also announced in a ceremony prior to the parade hosted by Channel 17 reporters Monica Cryan and Kelsey Fabian.
The winner of the “Pet of the Year” contest was Amelia, a 9-year-old playful Springer Spaniel. First runner up was Shoobie, second runner up was Clyde and third runner up was Hubble.
The People’s Choice award went to Sophie, a blind cat who was rescued from a hoarding situation. The photo of her perched on her loving new owner’s head likely did it.
HSOC officials said that the “Pet of the Year” contest helped raise about $12,000 for the shelter and more funds were raised through selling HSOC items.
Executive Director Bill Hollingsworth said of the event, “It’s just great how much the community supports us. We are grateful to Ocean City for giving us a chance to show the public that this can be done.”
Phil Bellucci, HSOC operations manager, added that the event really highlights the love that so many people have for their animals.
“It’s so incredible, and the community shows how much they care,” Bellucci said.
The fun for people and their pooches is extended to Sunday. The city decided after the success of the first two dog parades to allow dogs on the boards an extra day.
Dogs are allowed on the beaches in the offseason, but not usually the Boardwalk.
