Pet owners and their pooches will be parading around downtown Thorold on Oct. 19, in what’s become a fun Halloween tradition.
For the third year, the Thorold BIA will host the popular Annual Canine Costume Contest and Puppy Promenade that Saturday, with a rain date of Saturday, Oct. 26.
Each year, businesses get in on the fun and sponsor prizes, with this year’s awards being presented to the best dressed canines in five categories: “Best Friends Award” for the best group costume; “Cobblestone Cutie Award” for the winner chosen by residents of Cobblestone Gardens Retirement Residence; The “Boo Award” for scariest costume, sponsored by Bocchinfuso Funeral Home; “The Literary Lassie” for the best book-themed costume, with prize provided by the Thorold Public Library; and “Thorold's Top Dog Award” for the best overall costume, which comes with a bag of Performatrin Dog Food from PetValu Thorold.
Participants must pre-register online at www.thoroldbia.com/events. Check-in is between 11 and 11:30 a.m. at A Yellow Flower Basket at 50 Front Street North.
Registered participants will meet up for pictures and sign-in, then follow a path through downtown, where business owners, judges and spectators will be waiting to see the great costumes, said event organizer Diana D’Intino.
“Judges are placed along the promenade route and prizes will be presented at PetValu – Thorold at the Pine Plaza, once the judges have tallied the results," she said, adding, “For those wishing to shop or dine downtown following the event, Lynn's Grooming Salon on Front Street will be offering free dog sitting.”
This year’s annual event has been sponsored by the City of Thorold and the Thorold Veterinary Hospital, as well as PetValu – Thorold, Bocchinfuso Funeral Home, and Cobblestone Gardens Retirement Residence, in cooperation with A Yellow Flower Basket, Thorold Community Theatre, Lynn's Dog Grooming and the Thorold Public Library.
All are welcome to join in the fun.
