Dogs Are Allowed on the Boardwalk in OC This Weekend
The surreys. The shops. The apple cider donuts (yum). And this weekend… the dogs! Dogs are not only allowed but welcome this weekend on the Ocean City, NJ Boardwalk.
The 3rd Annual Howl-O-Ween Parade on the Ocean City Boardwalk in NJ is tomorrow, Saturday, October 21st – and this year they’re extending “Dog Day” to Sunday too. The main event is Saturday with a big Howl-O-Ween Parade and dog costume contest, but plan to stay the weekend. Sunday the boardwalk will be open to pups for a perfect fall day stroll.
The “Howl-O-Ween” Parade and Dog Costume Contest
This contest is for everyone. Both canines and humans of all ages are encouraged to participate. Come dressed in your best Halloween costumes and compete for prizes, or just have a fun festive walk (parade) down the boardwalk. The advance online registration is closed, but no worries. Day-of registration begins at 1 p.m. tomorrow, Oct. 21st at the Sports and Civic Center (Sixth Street and Boardwalk). The parade begins at 3 p.m. The procession is from Sixth Street to 12th Street on the Boardwalk.
Have a giant pack? Just a heads up. Each registrant is limited to registering two dogs. If more dogs need to be registered they will need to be registered on another account.
FREE Pet Photos with Santa
Check those Christmas cards off your list early! Bring your pup for free photos with Santa in a lifeguard boat at the 11th Street Pavilion from 11am-1pm tomorrow.
Here is the schedule:
Saturday, October 21st:
Dogs are allowed on the Boardwalk, 9am-5pm.
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Free photos with Santa in a lifeguard boat at the 11th Street Pavilion
- 12 p.m.: The Humane Society’s “Pet of the Year” will be the event’s grand marshal. Pet of the Year announcement at the Ocean City Music Pier (Boardwalk at Moorlyn Terrace)
- 1 p.m.: Day-of parade registration and pre-registration packet pickup starts at the Ocean City Sports and Civic Center (Sixth Street and Boardwalk)
- 3 p.m.: Boardwalk parade starts at Sixth Street and continues to 12th Street
This best part? Proceeds from the event this weekend benefit the Humane Society. The money goes right back to the dogs (and cats, and well, animals). There will be lots of fun animal items to purchase too, including custom engraved dog tags. And did we mention all the cute dogs in costume?
Sunday, October 22nd:
Dogs are allowed back on the Boardwalk, 9am-3pm.
So take a stroll with your favorite furry family member this weekend. Just, ya know. Clean up after them.
Check HERE for all the details.
Need some last-minute costume ideas?
The Many Doggie Costumes of the PAWS Mutt Strut 2023
We came, we strut (strutted?), we saw LOTS of dogs in costumes. All in all, a perfect day. The Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society held their annual Mutt Strut on Sunday, October 8th, and the fundraising efforts, and doggie costumes did not disappoint.
This year was the 17th Annual PAWS Mutt Strut, down at the Philadelphia Navy Yard. The event was pushed to Sunday’s rain date, and it was a good call too, as yesterday was a perfect day for it. Clouds overhead, but sunshine peeking through, and the breeze kept things just cool enough to finally feel like fall.
If you’ve never attended the PAWS Mutt Strut, it’s a little bit of everything. A paw-ty for humans and canines alike.
Some of the fun offered:
- There’s a spot to have your paw-prints made (kiddos too).
- Some pretty amazing raffle prizes.
- A pet pantry.
- An “Ask the Vet” section.
- Photo Booth and Pet Portraits.
- Doggie Tarot Card Reading and Fortune Telling ( yes, you read that right).
- Food and Coffee and Doggie Ice Cream.
- Adorable adoptable dogs to meet!
- A Doggie Costume Contest and a Talent Contest.
It’s a family affair too, with kids and babies and group costumes and lots of smiles. The dogs too. Smiles all around, tongues hanging out, and the biggest fundraiser of the year for PAWS.
You can still support PAWS!
If you missed this year’s Mutt Strut, be sure to keep a look out for the 18th Annual Mutt Strut, likely sometime in October, 2024. Next year’s Mutt Strut is sure to be even better, as the organization continues to outdo itself every single year. It’s also not too late to help this year. You can make a donation at any time to help this incredible non-profit continue in its mission to make Philadelphia a no-kill city. They’ve come so far in their efforts already, and they truly make every dollar count toward helping animals.
HERE‘s the link to make a donation. You can donate anonymously, and in honor or memory of a pet or favorite animal. Right now, the donations continue to be matched by an anonymous donor. Your donation will go twice as far!
To many of the Mutt Strut attendees, helping with the Mutt Strut is just a small way of repaying this organization for their part in bringing them true love. A way of thanking PAWS for connecting them with their dog or cat companions. Helping them find their furry family members, and more importantly, keep them. PAWS also helps folks all over the region by providing affordable to care for their animals year-round.
The doggie costumes at the Mutt Strut are a pretty big draw too. The PAWS community and their fur families bring it every year. Check out the photos below to see their costumes this year, and start planning next year’s costumes now!
Kristen Herrmann is the Program Director and Weekday Morning Show Host on BEN FM. She has been a fixture on the radio in Philadelphia since 2005. As a content creator for BEN FM, Kristen specializes in all things Philadelphia, kids, family and favors the quirky stuff.
