Halloween Dog Parade and Costume Contest
The 2nd Annual Halloween Dog Parade and Costume contest hosted by Pets Supplies Plus and the Florham Park Rotary turned out to be a beautiful day for those in attendance and a success.
More than 200 people came out on Saturday, October 15, to the Florham Park Gazebo with some 50+ dogs. The Costume contest consisted of six categories: Funniest, scariest, spunkiest, most creative, best-dressed dog/human duo, and overall “best in show”.
There was free pizza, ice cream, snacks, drinks, music, and giveaways throughout the afternoon, and of course prizes for each category. The
- Funniest – Diane Ferrone and her dog Harley, dressed as a mailman.
- ·Scariest – Laura Palmer and crew with their dog Bonnie Prince Harry as the cast of The Wizard of Oz
- Spunkiest – Rahman Babor and his dog Jimmy for Jimmy’s suitcase costume
- Most Creative – Andrea Berti and Leianne Krotec and crew along with their dogs Ace and Lola as the Scooby-Doo gang.
- Best dressed dog/human duo – Stephanie Marelli and her dog, Buddy, as the cast of “Toy Story”.
- Best in Show – Brielle Dolack, her dog Partner and Chris Cuomo and for their group Jurassic Park outfits.
Pet Supplies Plus Owner Barbara Grobert commented “It was a beautiful day and it was a great turnout,” She continued “I’m so happy that everyone came out and happy to be a part of the community.”
Students Benefit
Along with the contest was a 50/50 raffle. Half of the proceeds went to the winner, and the other half went into the Florham Park Rotary Scholarship Fund. It contributes to the Scholarship for graduating high school students of Florham Park who have a record of volunteerism and the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self”.
George Gregor, a member of the Florham Park Rotary Club, said this is one of the best events of the season and is essential to sustaining scholarship funds to help students get to college.
Simone Campbell, president of the Florham Park Rotary, was among those on hand to lend her support to the event. Later she was happy to observe that “This event has now become a ‘staple of the community’ which can only serve to enhance presence in the community for Pet Supplies Plus and our club.”
Several youth volunteers helped out the day of the event, including several from Hanover Park High School and a group of seventh graders from the St. Rose of Lima Church in East Hanover.
Special guests included members from the Florham Park Police Department, Cubmaster Brian Campbell of Florham Park Cub Scouts Pack 2, and investigator Ashley Craig and Cpl. Laura Bertelli – as McGruff the Crime Dog – from the Morris County Sheriff’s Office.
In closing, Florham Park Rotary Club Sergeant-at-Arms Peter Nicolas said: “On behalf of Pets Supplies Plus and the Florham Park Rotary, we would like to thank all the people who came out with their dogs to participate in this fundraiser. “Doing so led to another successful event and thus this spring a Florham Park student will be able to receive a scholarship for their volunteerism. That’s a pretty big deal in a town which prides itself as a ‘Community of Volunteers.’ We’ll look forward to the 3rd Annual Halloween Dog Parade and Costume Contest next October.”
Courtesy photos
