This is a press release from Essex County. Press releases are official statements that have not been independently verified.
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, three parades have been scheduled. Participation is free. The costume parades and contests will be held as follows:
Parade #1
Date: Saturday, October 22, 2022
Time: Registration: 9:30 a.m., Parade: 10 a.m.
Place: Essex County Branch Brook Dog Park, Heller Parkway, Newark, NJ
Parade #2
Date: Saturday, October 29, 2022
Time: Registration: 9 a.m., Parade: 9:30 a.m.
Place: Essex County Brookdale Dog Park, Grove Street, Montclair, NJ
Parade #3
Date: Saturday, October 29, 2022
Time: Registration: 1 p.m., Parade: 1:30 p.m.
Place: Essex County Grover Cleveland Park, Brookside Avenue and Runnymede Road, Caldwell/Essex Fells, 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 23 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, five dog parks, a castle and the Presby Memorial Iris Gardens. Essex County’s five dog parks are located in Branch Brook Park in Newark, Hilltop Reservation in North Caldwell, Brookdale Park in Bloomfield/Montclair, South Mountain Reservation in Maplewood/Millburn and Watsessing Park in Bloomfield/East Orange.
