Tompkins Halloween Parade shakes it off, dogs have their day

BY THE VILLAGE SUN | Go, Dog. Go!

Despite almost being canceled this year, the Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade dug itself out of a predicament and pulled off another day of tail-wagging, whisker-licking fun.

Saturday’s 33rd annual East Village canine costumed convention saw nearly 15,000 people and 600 dogs turn out, according to the organizers, the New York Times reported — and, oh yeah, at least one cat, who probably actually wasn’t too thrilled about being there.

The cost of putting on the increasingly popular pup-apalooza ballooned too high this year, due to fees for street-closure permits, among other things. But, just like Scooby-Doo in “Hassle in the Castle,” Get Joy, a dog-wellness start-up, leaped in to help save the day.

This year’s event used the Avenue B Open Street as a parade route.

The coveted Best in Show award went to Pookah, a Pomeranian, who came as Winnie the Pookah in a honey pot, with his owners dressed as Tigger and Piglet.

(Video by Chris Ryan Action)