Dog Lovers Gather In Branch Brook For Halloween Costume Contest

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — Essex County recently held its annual Halloween Strut Your Mutt Canine Costume Parades and Contest at Branch Brook Park in Newark/Belleville.

The parade was free and prizes were awarded to the winners in each category. Other events were held at Grover Cleveland Park in Caldwell/Essex Fells and Brookdale Park in Montclair/Bloomfield.

“I am always amazed and impressed with the creativity of the costumes,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said. “Congratulations to the winners.”

Award winners at the Branch Brook Park contest included:

Best in Show - Parker, Aiden, Lisa and Jamin Gilrain from Wayne and their dogs Sprinkles, Malibu and Coral who were dressed as an ice cream banana split.

Cutest Costume - First Place: Nicole Nuvellino from Springfield and her dog Julius who was dressed as Olaf from the movie “Frozen.” Second Place: Maddie Jennerich from East Rutherford and her dog Mila who was dressed as a horse and cowboy. Third Place: Hector Rodriguez from Newark and his dog Toby who was dressed as a fireman.

Most Creative Costume - First place: Vanessa Montesano from Clifton and her dog Lunchbox who was dressed as a fortune teller. Second Place: Alanna Honore and her friends from Newark and their dogs who were dressed as Shiloh shepherds. Third Place: Michael Bravata from Newton and his dog Candie who was dressed as My Little Pony.

Best Group Costume - First Place: Tamara Rivera and her family from Roselle and her dog Zulu who was dressed as Star Wars characters. Second Place: Adrianna and Fjori Zguro from Belleville and their Otto who were dressed as the King of the Jungle. Third Place: The Troche-Hayes family from Newark who were dressed as characters from the Spider-Verse movies.

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