At noon on Oct. 25, the Violent Femmes’ “Blister in the Sun” rang out on Church Street as brightly colored leaves rustled in the crisp breeze. A crowd gathered – both human and canine – eagerly anticipating a Halloween spectacle.
“Howl’ween,” is an annual Halloween costume contest for dogs hosted by Star 92.9 Radio and Northfield Savings Bank. The event features four costume categories: “Silliest,” “Most Original,” “Best Pup and Owner” and “Best Overall.”
The wings of the runway were tense, as each dog waited in a single file line for their turn. One by one, each pup’s name was called to walk the red carpet to the stage, where a panel of Star 92.9 Radio judges carefully picked the top three in each category – á la Project Runway.
The spectators and Star 92.9 hosts’ energies were contagious. Children and adults alike shouted and cheered wildly for their favorite costumes. This enthusiasm was crucial, as the winners were ultimately decided by their volume of applause.
In the “Silliest” category, Cojo took gold as a three-headed Cerberus from ancient Greece. Cabot the corgi came in second in a homemade “Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar” costume. Cabot, a returning champion, took third last year as a loaf of Wonder Bread. Third place went to Fez, as a banana.
For “Most Original,” four contestants took the stage.
The runners-up were Finnegan as Zero from “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” Gus dressed as “Karen” in a sweater and pixie-cut wig and Maggie Mae as a keg of beer. Atop the podium stood the two vizslas, Vyla and Twiggy, as a dazzling scuba diver and rainbow fish.
The third category, “Best Pup and Owner,” required owners to coordinate their own costume to their pups’.
Owner Njama and pup Laika took first prize with their sushi chef and sushi roll costume. Finnegan, now with owner Matt, bounded back to the stage to secure second as the full “Nightmare Before Christmas” duo of Zero and Jack Skellington. Jennifer and their English Bulldog, Meatball, rounded out the podium dressed as horror icon Chucky and his bride.
After more than a half hour of four-legged struts across the runway, it was time for the “Best Overall” title.
Coming from outer space, golden retrievers Matcha and Lyra took bronze as a martian and astronaut. The contest’s youngest owners, Willa and JB, donned bee and butterfly costumes, while their black lab, Fella, embodied a cheerful sunflower. Fella wagged her tail upon receiving second place.
For the coveted title of “Best Overall,” owner Eunice and canine Marvin snuck down the runway dressed as a homemade Louvre and the crown jewels costume. They accepted their award and stealthily exited the stage in less than seven minutes. Marvin’s leash was even outfitted to look like a ladder.
Winners and runners-up received a variety of prizes from local Vermont businesses, from Golden Hour gift cards to chicken liver dog treats.
Though the skies were grey, the laughter, creative costumes and wagging tails brought color and joy to the heart of Burlington. For the fourth consecutive year, “Howl’ween” proved that a little community spirit can brighten even the gloomiest of days.
