"Race Cars Not Dogs" theme for 31st Annual Dog-O-Ween attendee Allie Pass
Photo submitted by Destiny Taylor.
allahassee’s radio station Star 98.9 hosted its 31st Annual Dog-O-Ween on Sunday at Tom Brown Park. The event featured vendors, music, food and over 50 little furry friends in their best Halloween costumes.
The dogs’ costumes contest was hosted by celebrity judges. Radio personality DJ E-Zone, Cumulus Promotions Director George Teachman, Chief Meteorologist at WCTV Mike McCall, and WTXL’s evening anchor Abbey Maurer, were amongst the judges at Sunday’s event.
Dog-O-Ween attendee Allie Pass, came with a group of dogs all dressed up as little cars with “Yes 13” stamped on the sides. This theme was to vote yes on the 13th amendment to ban all greyhound racing in Florida.
“It’s amazing. It’s so nice to see all these wonderful sweet dogs dressed up and having a great time. We came up with “race cars, not dogs” based on Amendment 13, which is to promote the end of dog racing in Florida,” Pass explained.
Dog-O-Ween featured plenty of other entertainment as well.
There were bounce houses, knocker-ball and face painting for children. Families who were not competing in the contest still brung their dogs for a lovely Sunday fun day. Attendees also had the chance to register for prizes such as restaurant coupons, theme park tickets and up to $50 in gift cards.
Winner of this year’s Dog-O-Ween costume contest, Christina Vracar, says “Baxter [the dog] is 12 years old. We have been here every year since we got him, and this is our first time winning. It was cute as ever. We’re always looking forward to seeing the costumes that everyone’s in.”
Baxter was dressed up as a scuba diver with yellow goggles and novelty oxygen tanks. And Vracar was dressed up as a jellyfish to match Baxter’s under-water theme. The Vracar’s got to take home a Bass Pro camping bag and a $100 gift card.
As you can see, the dogs were not the only ones dressed up for this year’s Dog-O-Ween.
Quite a number of pet owners coordinated with their pups as well.
There were patriotic costumes, Ninja Turtle costumes, and a mom with her Carin Terrier dressed up as Dorothy and Toto—bike and basket included.
Syndy Garrison and her dog, Mindy, attends Dog-O-Ween regularly every year.
“I’m sad I didn’t get a costume in time for today. But either way Mindy and I come here faithfully every year. She’s not usually around this many dogs but she’s so friendly so she has a good time mingling. She loves it,” said Garrison.
For those that did not compete, Dog-O-Ween was simply a nice outing for pet owners and their pups. It is hosted every year at Tom Brown Park the weekend before Halloween.