On First Thursday December 6th, dozens of costumed canines flocked to Nord Alley in Pioneer Square. The evening saw these furry, four-legged friends gathering for the first annual Dogs on Parade holiday costume contest. As the dogs and their humans registered and showed off the costumes to judges, Sean Bendickson played holiday music in Occidental Park, Matt Yoder exhibited snowboard art hanging in Nord Alley, and Intrigue Chocolates gave out samples of delicious 5-spice hot cocoa to round out the festivities.
By 6pm former Seattle mayor, Charley Royer, and executive director of the Alliance for Pioneer Square, Leslie Smith, announced both the tree lighting countdown and the winning dogs of the evening:
Cutest Critter – Basil
Best Dog Costume – Rosie
Best Holiday Costume – Lacey
Best Group – Gus
Best Group (2+ Dogs) – Fergie
Ugliest Holiday Sweater – Chelsea in the muscle shirt
Pioneer Square Best in Show – Pioneer Square Dog(s) of the Year – Mulligan (part of group)
Pioneer Square Best in Show – Pioneer Square Dog(s) of the Year – Truman (part of group)
Pioneer Square Best in Show – Pioneer Square Dog(s) of the Year – Coco (part of group)
These winners received prizes from Pioneer Pet, Mornin Noonan Night Studios, Grand Central Bakery, Fireworks, FX McRory’s, and Agate Designs . The Pioneer Square Dog(s) of the Year also received a golden Pioneer Square Dog of the Year 2012 dog tag to share.
The winners led the dog parade around the neighborhood as the Beaconettes finished the night off with Figgy Pudding award-winning caroling. Save the date for next year’s dog parade on December 5, 2013! Will your pup be crowned Pioneer Square Dog of the Year in 2013? Dogs on Parade: Howliday Style is brought to you by the Alliance for Pioneer Square and International Sustainability Institute.
For more pictures of the evening see Seattle Pulp and eMeLar Photography‘s coverage of the dog parade.
By Hien Dang, The Alliance for Pioneer Square