Battle Ground’s Howl-O-Ween Pooch Parade brought a pack of costumed canines to the Battle Ground Event Center on Wednesday, Oct. 14, for an evening of treats, prizes and tail-wagging competition.
Hosted by Battle Ground Parks & Recreation, the event invited dogs and their humans to show off their Halloween creativity. Costumes ranged from vampires to superheroes, with prizes for Best in Show, Most Unique Costume, Best Dog/Human Duo, People’s Choice and Parks & Recreation Choice.
Daisy, a golden retriever owned by Colleen Saylords, won Best in Show in her Chia Pet costume. Saylords said she wanted something different this year and found the green, plant-like material for Daisy’s costume at IKEA.
Ava’s Pink Lady look, inspired by “Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies,” won Most Unique Costume. Owner Shauna Vaughn wore a matching pink jacket.
Duke, dressed as the Big Bad Wolf, won Best Dog/Human Duo with owner Kayla Cruanas, who dressed as Little Red Riding Hood.
Scooter’s Punch the Monkey costume earned him the Parks & Recreation Choice award. His owner, Jess Highland, joined him at the event.
Zoe, a canine student at Enzo’s Dog Training in Battle Ground, won People’s Choice. Zoe’s owners, mother and daughter Natalie and Elizabeth Conner, joined her in a family costume. Zoe and Elizabeth dressed as police officers, while Natalie completed the trio as a prisoner.
Enzo’s Dog Training brought a group of its canine students and their humans to the competition. The business was a first-time sponsor, joining VCA Animal Hospitals, Paws Cascadia, All Natural Pet Supply, Battle Ground Barkery and Wilco.
Dawn Alyse, owner of Enzo’s Dog Training, said the group frequently attends events together so everyone feels supported.
“We’re teaching them to be good [canine] citizens,” Alyse said. “It can be intimidating to go alone, so we all go out to events together.”
Other participants included BB, last year’s Best in Show winner, who returned in a bumblebee costume alongside owner Carrie Barnes, who wore a flower costume. Anne Flindt embraced the spooky season as a witch, while her dog, Fergus, sported a vampire costume. John and Melanie Casey portrayed Homer and Marge Simpson alongside their dogs, Henry and Kitty, who were dressed as Bart and Lisa.
Rafferty, the Battle Ground Police Department’s comfort dog, also attended with his handler, police Lt. Jason Perdue. The duo posed for pictures with the award winners.
Participating dogs received treat bags, ensuring even those who didn’t leave with a prize had something to wag about.
The Howl-O-Ween Pooch Parade is an annual event hosted by Battle Ground Parks & Recreation. Registration opens each October. To learn more about future parades, visit cityofbg.org/549/Annual-Events.
