It’s one of the most photogenic events around — especially for dog lovers.
The Essex County Strut Your Mutt Annual Canine Halloween Costume Contest, officiated by County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr., took place at the South Mountain Dog Park on Saturday afternoon, October 24, this year. (Another parade and contest took place in northern Essex County at the Brookdale Dog Park in
Essex County Brookdale Park in the morning.)
Maplewood did itself proud.
Nila Schomfield of Maplewood and her pet Georgia won in the Most Creative Costume Category: The two dressed as Pocahontas and John Smith.
Rebecca Wilkening, also of Maplewood, and her “devil dog” Pepper won Scariest Costume.
Here are the full awards:
Best in Show: Kelly Cuykendall from Woodbridge, her pet Simon and her friends who dressed as Snoopy and members of the Peanuts gang.
Scariest Costume: First place: Rebecca Wilkening from Maplewood and her pet Pepper who dressed as a devil. Second place: Mary Morris from East Hanover and her pet Axle who dressed as a dragon. Third place: Caitlin McDonough from Verona and her pet who dressed as a skunk.
Most Creative Costume: First place: Nila Schomfield from Maplewood and her pet Georgia who dressed as Pocahontas and John Smith. Second place: Pete Lionetti and his pets who dressed as Little Red Riding Hood and Grandma. Third place: Joyce Alilio from West Orange and her pet Chip who dressed as a Beanie Baby doll.
Couple Costume: First place: Matt Greller and his family from Millburn and their pets Angus and Clyde who dressed as Minions and bananas. Second place: DJ Meisch from Nutley, his pet Lucky and friends who dressed as characters from “The Wizard of Oz.” Third place: Tracie Koehnlein from West Orange and her pet Stella who dressed as Ozzie Osborn and a bat.
Click on the photos to enlarge. (Photos are by Glen Frieson.)
