On Saturday, October 26, Westcott dogs and their owners marched through the neighborhood for the third consecutive year as part of the Westcott neighborhood Association’s now annual Halloween dog parade. This year, about 150 people and 50 dogs assembled at the Petit Branch Library parking lot for hot cider, cider doughnuts, and music by the Second Line Syracuse New Orleans style jazz band. The band led off the parade, and a three-block long line of costumed dogs leading their humans, snaked up Westcott Street, east on Harvard Place, South on Allen Street, traversing Clark Street and Concord Place, before returning to the library on Victoria Place. It was beautiful fall weather. Dog paws and human feet pushed through the fallen leaves to celebrate the season. Beside the marchers lots of neighbors came out on the streets to wave them on.
WNA thanks our board members Kim McCoy and Susannah Park who for the third year have taken the lead in organizing this fun event. Other volunteers included Carol Johnson, Kevin Montgomery, Marilyn Zaleon, and Sam Gruber. We extend special thanks to Petit Branch Library which allowed us to hold the event in the parking area, and also lent tables and chairs, and to Summit Federal Credit Union which for the second year donated the refreshments and staff who also volunteered at the event. Importantly, we acknowledge the essential sponsorship of CNYArts which has allowed us to add music to this celebration as part of WNA’s year-long Westcott Words & Music events.
The event was covered in local media – here is a report by Newhouse student Ilana Epstein on the Newhouse News Service:
Westcott Neighborhood hosts third annual Halloween Dog Parade
Get ready for 2025! The date is already set – October 25th. You don’t have to be a dog to join, and if you’re a dog you don’t have to put up with your owners dressing you up in some outlandish garb. Everyone appreciates a good costume, but any dog coat will do.
