-Courtesy of Aversa PR & Events
Philadelphia’s largest Halloween pet costume contest is back – and cuter than ever! Northern Liberties Business Improvement District partners with Street Tails Animal Rescue on the 8th Annual Hound-O-Ween Fall Festival and Pet Costume Contest which will take over the 700 Block of N. 2nd Street, on Saturday, October 29th, from 12:00pm to 5:00pm. Dozens of furry contestants will compete for prizes in various categories, plus try to win best of show. Registration for this annual benefit is only a $30 (or $20 extra per additional) donation per pet. There is a $500 cash grand prize to the winning pet courtesy of Wilson’s Estate Jewelry. All proceeds benefit Street Tails Animal Rescue in their mission to help homeless and unwanted animals in the Philadelphia area.
On top of the costume contest, look for outdoor fall tunes, Halloween vibes, vendors, music, charity auction, raffle prizes and more. Outdoor food and beverage will be for sale by El Camino Real. Hound-O-Ween Fall Festival is one of many Halloween and Fall themed activities in Northern Liberties on Halloween Weekend. For registration and full details, visit: https://www.explorenorthernliberties.org/event/
“We can’t wait to see all the pups on parade in costume and wagging their tails,” said NLBID Executive Director Kris Kennedy. “Last year was epic. There were so many fantastic costumes and we can’t wait to see what people come up with this year. Northern Liberties Business Improvement District is delighted to once again host Philadelphia’s largest Halloween pet costume contest and festival to support Street Tails Animal Rescue. They have a difficult job, homing pets, and we want to ensure they can continue to do it. Registration is now open for pets and their costumed humans. If you have a pet ready to strut, come out and walk the stage with them. If you love animals, or just want to enjoy a day of fall fun in the neighborhood, the contest, street festival and vendors will be here for the perfect Sunday Funday on Halloween itself, October 29th. We hope to see everyone there!”
Halloween is going to the dogs once again in Northern Liberties. The region’s most festively decked out pets are invited to strut across the stage. Contestants will compete for prizes in five categories, including Best Puppy, Best Adult Dog, Best Group and Best Pet and Human Combo. Pets of all shapes, sizes, and species are invited to participate! For those without a pup or pet in costume, it’s free to watch – but come early for the best viewing vantage point.
The street festival will open at 12:00pm Noon, and the pets and pups will hit the stage starting around 12:30pm. Rough start times for each category will be announced on Northern Liberties Business District Instagram the week of the event at @northliberties.
On top of the costume contest, look for fall tunes, Halloween vibes, vendors, music and other festivities. For the humans in the bunch, there will be plenty of tricks and treats! Look for a menu of fall favorites and Hound-O-Ween food and drink from El Camino Real, who will have a mobile set-up with the following menu items:
MexiDog
House-made hotdog, crispy bacon, pico de gallo, pickled jalapenos, spicy mayo
Chicken Tinga
Shredded chicken, onions, peppers, lettuce, pico de gallo, crema, cheese
Backyard Burger
House ground burger, Cooper sharp cheese, caramelized onion, pickles
Pulled Pork Sandwich
Apple & cherry wood smoked pork, coleslaw, sweet BBQ sauce
Corona
El Camino Margarita
Tequila, lime juice, Triple Sec
Mexican Greyhound
Tequila, grapefruit juice
Rose Sangria
Mexican sodas
El Camino will also tap a special keg of Dos Equis, courtesy of Origlio Distributors, with all proceeds going directly to Street Tails. All food and drink is pay-as-you-go. Patrons must be 21 and up to drink, with identification at the time of purchase.
Vendors, pet caricatures and a pet photo booth will round out the family fun for all ages. Other vendors will include Wag Watch, Dog Dayzzz Daycare, Piggyback Treats, Saint Rocco’s Treats, Quirky Kin, Two Cats and a Dog, Bucks Dog Training, Shelby’s Squad, and more.
While taking part or enjoying the competition, make sure to shop the vendors and take in the spooky season vibes, plus don’t forget to enter to win great prizes in the Street Tails auction, with prizes donated by Federal Donuts, Philadelphia Rock Gyms, Philadelphia Barber Co., El Camino Real, O’Neals Pub, Philadelphia Magic Gardens, Monster Energy, a chance to win a two night stay at a classic Adirondack chalet, and more!
“Nearly 10 years ago, STAR had a Halloween Parade to raise funds for the rescue,” Street Tails Animal Rescue Operations Manager Nichole Brophy. “This parade was the genesis of Hound-O-Ween, the event we’ve held each year since (with the exception of the COVID years) to promote STAR and animal rescue in general. While it started as a very small parade of about 5 to 10 contestants, it has grown into an annual gathering attended by a diverse force of supporters. This event creates a fun and dynamic atmosphere for all to enjoy, giving us an excuse to be kids again as we dress up ourselves and our animal companions. Street Tails looks forward to this event all year and is so grateful for all who come out to engage in the festivities.”
“The imagination and creativity going into the costume design continues to amaze me,” said Street Tails Animal Rescue Board of Directors Member Nicole DelaRosa. “Each year, I think they can’t possibly get any better, but yet they find a way to do so.”
For more information and to register your pet for the 8th Annual Hound-O-Ween Fall Festival and Doggie Costume Contest, visit Northern Liberties website at:
https://www.explorenorthernliberties.org/events/
For more about Street Tails and the work they do in the community, visit:
https://www.streettails.org/
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