Iggy, an Italian Greyhound, was one of eighteen dogs that haunted Perry Park Saturday afternoon for the Somerville Dog Owners Group's Halloween Pup Parade and Dog Costume Contest. Thank you, Susan Miller, for sharing this beautiful study of Iggy in his grasshopper costume! For more pictures, check out the Perry Park Pup Parade set on Flickr.

Another couple of dozen dogs came to the event; With or without dogs, about a hundred people came to Perry Park for the Halloween Pup Parade and Costume Contest!

One of the attractions of the afternoon was bobbing for hot dogs. Somerville's Animal Control Officer, April Terrio, officiated, timing the contestants to find the dog that could eat ten hot dog pieces from a tub of water fastest. Talula, a Corgi/Jack Russell Terrier mix, owned by Michelle Camisa, won the contest and a gift certificate from Pet Spa on Somerville Avenue!

The Somerville Dog Owners Group was honored to have a distinguished panel of judges for the contests: Shape Up Somerville Coordinator, Nicole Rioles, judged the contest for Cutest Costume; Somerville Police K-9 Officer, John Tam, judged the contest for Scariest Costume; Ward Two Alderman, Maryann Heuston, judged the contest for Dog & Owner Costumed Duo, and Alderman at Large Dennis Sullivan judged the contest for Dog & Owner Look Alike.

Rioles thanked all the contestants for promoting active living, one of the core tenets of Shape of Somerville, a program to increase daily physical activity and healthy eating, that has brought national media attention to Somerville.

Roxy, a Jack Russell Terrier, owned by Nicole Goddard, won the contest for cutest costume and a bag of treats from Stinky's Kittens and Doggies, Too in Ball Square. Nimitz, a Standard Poodle, owned by Michelle Gibbs, won the contest for scariest costume, and treats from Boston Dog in Inman Square. Nimitz's owner has posted more pictures of dogs in costumes on her blog.

Dressed as devils, Trish, a Cocker Spaniel/Poodle mix, and Jesse Kane won the contest for Dog and Owner Costumed Duo and a gift certificate from Dogma (and Catma, Too) in Union Square. With a Western theme, Antis, a Hovawart, and Kate Wheeler won the contest for Dog and Owner Look Alike and a treat box from Laundromutt in Fresh Pond.

The Somerville Department of Public Works provided equipment for the community event. Kickass Cupcakes in Davis Square generously donated "pup cakes"—cup cakes for dogs. Autumnal apples and apple cider were donated by Market Basket on Somerville Avenue. A donation from Target contributed to Halloween decorations for Perry Park.

The Somerville Dog Owners Group thanks everyone who participated in the Halloween Pup Parade and helped to make it such a fun afternoon. Thanks first to the dogs, who were such good sports, and their owners for showing off their great dogs, and everyone who came to cheer them on. Thanks to the local businesses who sponsored the event. Thanks to the City employees and elected officials who volunteered at the event, especially Alderman Heuston who helped organize it. Special thanks to Carlene Campbell, the City's Liaison to the Dog Owners Task Force, and to Marijke Schuurman and Po Yu who helped ensure that everyone had a great time in the parade and contests.