NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — More than a dozen dogs and their owners swarmed the sidewalks of Main Street on Thursday for the return of the Dog Costume Parade.
The last time the city had this parade was in 2021, and due to the pandemic, it had to be skipped in 2020.
"This is the first time bringing it back in quite a few years. Everyone has reached out to us wanting to bring the dog parade back. We thought it was important to give back to the family of the animal community," said Lindsay Randall, director of tourism and community events.
The event brings people together event organizers said.
"It's a nice family event where everybody can appreciate it, and everybody loves Halloween, so it's nice to bring your animals out, have a good time, even if it's just for a little while, win some prizes, meet some new people, and hopefully make some new furry friends," said Stefanie Tatro, events coordinator.
"We lost that community connection through COVID-19, and it's good to get out and see your neighbors and see your friends or your classmates, and that's what we're trying to build. We build our community to be as strong as we are," Mayor Jennifer Macksey said.
Macksey attended the parade with her 4-year-old silver Lab, Lawson, who was adopted from Puerto Rico.
"He's been with us for about three years and is my Superman. He's my hero. So, that's why he's dressed as Superman tonight," she said.
The city reinstituted the event as part of its Fall Foliage weekend thanks to assistance from Roxie's Barkery & Boutique, located in the Norad Mill on Roberts Drive, Macksey said.
Everybody is having a great time, and it is exciting to bring the community together and our pets because we don't often get to bring our pets to events, she said.
Roxie's donated baskets for first-place winners in the categories of best costume, funniest dog, and friendliest dog. The baskets were full of doggie goodies, including toys, yogurt sticks, and treats.
They didn't forget the second-place winners, giving them a bag of homemade peanut butter treats. See photos for winners.
"We're so excited to be here this year for the North Adams Dog Costume Parade. We are also very much about doing events at our store for the dogs and their people," Roxie's Barkery owner McKenna Burzimati said.
"We think it's great for people to get out in the community with their dogs. It's great socialization for them, and it just gives the dog-loving community together."
"It's a pleasure to be here, working alongside North Adams and the mayor and her staff. We really appreciate the gesture of having us coming down and showing our products," Roxie's Barkery treat baker John Kozik said.
"We've been at the Norad Mill now for three years, and we really enjoy being with the dogs and the owners. They're a great group of people and great support over the last three years."
The Dog Costume Parade is part of the city's Fall Foliage Weekend which features several free or low-cost events, Randall said.
Events include the
Mill Town Circus, the Fall Foliage Festival Children's Parade and Fair, and the Fall Foliage 5K Road Race.
The weekend concludes with the Fall Foliage Parade on Sunday, which is presented in partnership with 1Berkhshire.
