The Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade is back on again. Until recently, the fate of this year’s parade was undecided. However, the pet lovers’ community banded together to ensure that the annual pup fest will happen. In so doing, their actions effectively un-canceled the beloved New York gathering of costume-clad canines.
Set to take place on Oct. 21, the event will have a formal parade route instead of being a simple get-together in the park — as it has been in years past. If you’re in the Big Apple, be sure to add this can’t-miss event to your calendar. Undoubtedly, seeing pooches adorned as genies, ghosts, and goblins is a perfect — or rather, pawfect — way to celebrate the holiday.
Organizers of Halloween Dog Parade faced permitting hurdles, high costs
The date is officially set for the 33rd annual — and now, thankfully, un-canceled — Halloween dog parade. At the end of September, the whole event was on the brink of cancellation due to costs and permitting issues. However, after facing uncertainty about its fate, the event is back on and bigger than before.
As per NBC New York, Joseph Borduin — the event’s organizer for the past four years — has been planning on expanding the event. Despite his best efforts, his plan faced several obstacles along the way.
The Halloween parade annually takes place in the famed Tompkins Park. Initially, event organizers were prepared to fundraise for typical event costs. This year, according to Chelsea News NY, that came to $10,000 for a stage and $6,000 in fees for the parks department. However, prior to the start of this month, Borduin found out that the additional event permits would cost $45,000. The unplanned bill resulted from ongoing park construction, which was forcing the event to relocate to streets that would need to be temporarily closed. Accordingly, the cost of closing nine city blocks for the parade route further increased the cost, adding to the decision to cancel the event.
As per Gothamist, the parade organizer withdrew the street closure applications he previously sent in after attempting to gather the required funds. Borduin told the publication that he was trying to raise money for the dog park and not pay the city. He clarified that since he’s a volunteer, he doesn’t get paid for organizing the dog parade — adding, “Can’t do it. It’s just gotten too big, too much.”
Politics were played
Councilmember Carlina Rivera told Gothamist her office was doing everything in its capacity to ensure the smooth sailing of the beloved event. With her backing of the parade, Borduin had begun drawing up maps and looking at logistics. He put everything on hold when the Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO) informed him the bill was coming due and his name was on it. Borduin had been operating under the impression that the Councilmember’s office was going to take care of the cost.
At this point, Rivera’s office contacted the head of SAPO, as well as the mayor’s office. They advocated for the fees to be reduced or eliminated. Significantly, the Councilwoman called the event “a festival” and “a public amenity that’s open to everyone.” Underlining her commitment, she added, “It’s a cherished cultural event for the whole city, and I’m dedicated to ensuring it has a home.”
As per Curbed, when Borduin got ready to cancel the Halloween Dog Parade, Mayor Eric Adam’s office stepped in. The mayor’s office helped reduce the bill to $5,000 with the help of the Open Streets program.
Get Joy comes to the rescue
Now, the question of how organizers were going to raise $5,000 in the shortened timeframe remained. To cover the prevailing expenses, event organizers partnered with Get Joy to save the day — and the parade. Given their focus on dog wellness, the Connecticut-based startup is an ideal partner for the event.
Tom Arrix, Get Joy’s founder, reached out to Borduin on Facebook and wanted to help. Arrix said that the company wants to assist “any time a dog’s joy is threatened.”
Fern Watt, a dog author and communications officer for The Tompkins Square Park Dog Run (TSPDR), called the parade a “cherished tradition” in a press release. She added that the organization has received an “amazing display of support” from the pup-loving community and that “the show will go on.”
Halloween Dog Parade will draw crowd, resemble human parades
According to TSPDR, over 600,000 canines call the boroughs of New York City home. Until now, New York’s Halloween Dog Parade meant a large gathering of furry friends and their parents in Tompkins Park. Dogs would walk across a stage as enthusiasts would visit the event. Of course, every year the parade has grown in size and scale. The event now attracts thousands of city dwellers and spectators from afar who want to see creativity on display as pooches parade in elaborate costumes.
It’s clear that the 33rd annual event will be bigger than ever. There will still be a costume contest — judged by Get Joy’s CEO, amongst others on the esteemed panel — and attendees will be recognized on the stage set up in a nearby experiential area. That said, this year’s festivities will bear semblance to any human parade as pet parents and their fur babies take to the streets.
The un-canceled Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade will start on 14th Street and Ave. B at 1 p.m. on Oct. 21 and will end on Seventh Street. Activities will conclude at 3 p.m.
