We humans may have to settle for the Oscars, but for our canine companions the biggest red carpet affair of all is THE FIFTH ANNUAL TIMES SQUARE DOG DAY MASQUERADE, presented by the Times Square Alliance. This canine costume is free and open to the public and will be held on the newly-opened Broadway Plaza between 43rd and 44th Streets on Sunday, October 18th from 1 pm to 3 pm. The Dog Day Masquerade will also raise awareness for Animal Haven’s Adopt-A-Pet program, which will be on site to help animal lovers of all kinds to adopt a new furry friend.
Glamorous canine contenders of every kind will strut their stuff on the catwalk, flaunting the very latest in cutting-edge “woof couture”. Top prizes will be awarded to the dogs whose costumes best evoke Times Square’s past or present. That includes paying tribute to the new crop of Broadway shows - sure, Jude Law can play Hamlet, the Melancholy Dane, but only at Dog Day Masquerade is there a chance you might see a Melancholy Great Dane, or perhaps a hippie hound from Hair or a Shih Tzu Shrek. Of course historical figures like the VJ Day Sailor and Nurse are always welcome, as well as shady street characters from Times Square’s seedy past, because, as they say, poochin’ ain’t easy. Past contests have seen dogs decked out as everything from taxi cabs to Danny Zuko to the New Year’s Eve Ball. This year, a special invitation is extended to large breed dogs to join the fun – there’s no reason to leave all the barking rights to the Chihuahuas!
“The dogs are friendly but the competition is fierce every year at Dog Day Masquerade,” said Times Square Alliance President Tim Tompkins. “And this year competitors are already chomping at the bit, and in some cases literally drooling with anticipation. It’s just another opportunity for canine champs and their human friends to express their creativity at the Crossroads of the World, while raising awareness for a great cause.”
