Joseph Borduin News Today

What could be better than hundreds and hundreds of dogs in costumes? How about thousands of New Yorkers being able to celebrate them as they stride down Avenue B!

What could be better than hundreds and hundreds of dogs in costumes? How about thousands of New Yorkers being able to celebrate them as they stride down Avenue B!

What could be better than hundreds and hundreds of dogs in costumes? How about thousands of New Yorkers being able to celebrate them as they stride down Avenue B!

The event drew around 600 pawed participants and 15,000 spectators, with pup costumes including a lobster, a subway car, and even NYC’s iconic “rat czar.”

After almost being canceled because of financial constraints, about 15,000 people and more than 600 pups turned out for the annual parade on Saturday — nearly doubling last year’s attendance.

Dogs in costumes decorated Avenue B in the East Village on Saturday. Thousands of spectators came out to see what these dogs and their owners would bring to the event this year.

Gothamist is a non-profit local newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade

Once they posted the sad news on the website, Borduin said Mayor Adams reached out and within the same hour, their sponsor, Get Joy offered to pay for the entire thing.

Organizers of the annual parade in New York’s Tompkins Square Park nearly canceled the event over permitting and funding issues. Now it’s back and bigger than ever.