Long Beach Halloween Party and Parade for Dogs Announced
October 27, 2011 • Travel
11th annual HAUTE DOG HOWL'OWEEN PARADE is Sun., Oct. 30, 2011, 2:30 p.m. We will attempt to break the world record for the number of costumed dogs in a parade. The record is 337 according to a major records management organization. The Howl’oween parade has had many more than that number over the years, but organizers want to make the record official. They’ll be photographing each dog on the route and sending it in to records officials. One year doggie entrants numbered more than 700 in the parade. This year’s parade is expected to include more than 500 costumed dogs, at least one costumed cat, and a few thousand human gawkers. The parade is put on my Justin Rudd and his nonprofit Community Action Team (CAT), of which Haute Dogs is a part. Haute Dogs will raise thousands for spay/neuter programs, rescue groups, Operation Santa Paws and other Long Beach service projects hosted by CAT.
The start/finish is at Livingston Park, 4900 E. Livingston Dr. (@ Park Ave. in Belmont Shore), Long Beach, 90803. The vendor fair and pet adoption fair is in the park from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.
4 $10/dog, pd. by Oct. 9
4 $15/dog, pd. by Oct. 16
4 $20/dog after Oct. 16
4 $35/VIP dog (advance only) - V.I.P. (Very Important Pooch!) you and your dog get to walk near the front of the parade
4 $10 each add'l dog, advance only
4Free to enter the kids costume contest at 2:20 p.m. (kids will walk at the front of the parade, meet at the Tot Lot)
Parade route (same as last year):
Start/finish at corner of Livingston Dr. @ Park Ave. Costumed kids will lead the parade, followed by the dogs. The parade is on the street on Park Ave. heading south toward 2nd St., then turning right to head westbound on 2nd Street #5 Lane (parking lane) to Livingston Dr. eastbound #1 lane (driving lane). Westbound auto traffic on 2nd St. (only from Granada Ave. to Livingston Dr.) and eastbound and westbound auto traffic on Livingston Dr. (only from 2nd St. to St. Joseph) will be diverted by LBPD for approx. 40 minutes at approx. 2:25 p.m. during the parade. All alleys will remain open throughout. St. Joseph will remain open throughout.
SEATING: Bring your own folding chair, or rent one of our 500 seats on Park Ave. for just $5, starting at about 1 p.m. The seats did sell out last year.
COSTUMED KIDS are invited to lead the Howl'oween Parade this year and there will be a a few $10 prizes to those kids with the best outfits. There is no charge to enter the kids costume contest, but a signed entry form by parents/guardian is required. Be at the parade start line (meet inside the kids playground front gates, corner of Livingston Dr. & Park Ave.) by 2:20 p.m. with your entry form. Kids will step off at 2:25 p.m. Judges will be on the parade route. Awards will be announced approx. 3 p.m. inside the kids playground (during the dog parade). Parents are welcome to walk along with their kid. There will also be an award for the best-dressed person in the dog parade who is walking with a dog. If you are walking a dog in the parade, regular parade entry fees apply. MORE
PUBLIC TRANSIT
We suggest that spectators take the red Passport buses for $1.10 each way to Belmont Shore. The bus stop on 2nd St. at Park Ave. is right on the parade route. Note: dogs are not allowed on buses, uness they are in a pet carrier.
PARKING
There is metered parking along 2nd St. and in parking lots on both sides of 2nd St. We also suggest parking at the beach where there is plentiful beachfront parking spaces. There is also free street parking at the park and around the neighborhood. Leave plenty of time to find parking. We encourage guests to walk, ride bikes, use public transit or carpool. MAP
V.I.P. (VERY IMPORTANT POOCH) ENTRY
Available for advance registrations only, the dog/owner can walk near the front of the parade, and each VIP gets a human-sized Haute Dogs t-shirt. VIPs will line-up down the middle of the grassy park and will step off at 2:25 p.m.
The parade expects 500+ dressed-up dogs and lasts about an hour.
AWARDS & PRIZES
Win great prizes!
- top 10
prize packs will be given to the judges' top-10 favorite entries, combination from any of the following categories: individual dogs, groups, or floats. Includes gifts from Pussy & Pooch and ORE Originals.
Additionally, the following will receive prizes:
- best costume on a dog
- best costume on a person walking a dog in the parade
- best group (any combo of at least two dogs/people)
- best "float" Limit 4' wide. A float is any dog(s) riding in/upon/within a moving, non-motorized device; such as a wagon or pulled cart.
JUDGING
Judging will be based on originality, showmanship, detail of costume and first impression. Judges will be on the right-hand side of the parading dogs and within the first block of the parade's route.
SPLAT! GREAT PUMPKIN DROPPED FROM A HIGH TREE BRANCH
Times Square drops a big ball to celebrate the new year. Belmont Shore drops a giant pumpkin (75 lbs) to celebrate the start of Howl'oween! We'll drop it approx. 2 p.m.! This annual HUGE pumpkin drop will be a smashing hit!
Bulldog Kissing Booth
THIS YEAR, the Bulldog Kissing Booth presented by Howl'oween Parade organizer Justin Rudd & his Bulldog Riley hopes to raise several hundred dollars for Operation Santa Paws - a holiday toy/treat drive that benefits more than 4,000 shelter and rescue animals. For a $1 donation, visitors to the bulldog kissing booth will get a big, wet kiss freely given by one of about 28 English bulldogs who will take 10-minute turns hosting, licking and raising funds for charity. Bring your camera!
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