The Essex County Park System has postponed the annual Strut Your Mutt costume contest from the original date of October 22 to its rain date of October 23:
Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. (center) congratulates Nila Schomfield from Maplewood and her pet Georgia who dressed as Pocahontas and John Smith for winning first place in the Most Creative Costume Category.
Essex County Executive Joseph N. DiVincenzo, Jr. invites Essex County dog owners to display their creativity and participate in Strut Your Mutt, Essex County’s Annual Canine Halloween Costume Parade and Contest. This year, two parades have been scheduled. Participation is free. The costume parades and contests will be held as follows:
Morning Parade
Date: Sunday, October 23
Time: Registration: 9:15 a.m.
Parade: 10 a.m.
Place: Essex County Brookdale Dog Park, Grove Street, Montclair
Afternoon Parade
Date: Sunday, October 23
Time: Registration: 1:15 p.m.
Parade: 2 p.m.
Place: Essex County South Mountain Dog Park, Crest Drive, Maplewood/Millburn, NJ
“The Essex County Dog Parks have become popular places for dog owners to bring their faithful companions. In turn, the canine costume parades are growing into a favorite Halloween celebration for everyone to enjoy. Whether you own a dog or not, we invite you to come see creative costumes worn by dogs of all breeds,” DiVincenzo said.
Strut Your Mutt is a free event. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places in a variety of categories. For more information, please call 973-268-3500.
The Essex County Park System was created in 1895 and is the first county park system in the United States. It has been expanded to include about 6,000 acres of land. There are 22 parks, five reservations, an environmental center, a zoo, Treetop Adventure Course, ice skating rink, roller skating rink, three public golf courses, golf driving range, two miniature golf courses, three dog parks, a castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens. Essex County’s three dog parks are located in Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair, South Mountain Reservation in Maplewood/Millburn and Watsessing Park in Bloomfield/East Orange.
