LINDENHURST, NY — Who says you have to be a pup to steal the show at Pups on Parade? This year's first-place winner was a horse! Well, technically a Great Dane dressed as a horse, but that only added to the fun!
On Saturday morning, October 24, the Lindenhurst Village Gazebo was filled with wagging tails, creative costumes, smiling faces, and plenty of community spirit as residents gathered for the annual Pups on Parade celebration.
Hosted by the Lindenhurst Rotary Club and Lindenhurst Memorial Library, this much-anticipated tradition seems to get better every year.
From tiny pups dressed for Halloween to larger-than-life contestants, the morning was a reminder of how something as simple as gathering with our four-legged friends can bring an entire community together.
The event featured a pet parade, creative costumes, prizes, and plenty of opportunities for neighbors to connect. Attendees were also encouraged to bring donations of pet toys and canned dog food for the Babylon Animal Shelter, extending the morning's kindness to animals still waiting for their forever homes.
One particularly meaningful part of the celebration was the blessing of the animals, a beautiful reminder of the special place our pets hold in our families and our hearts. Thank you Rev. Doug Madlon for the blessing.
And what would a morning with our furry friends be without a little coffee?
A special shoutout goes to Muni's Coffee Shop on Wellwood Avenue, which enthusiastically joined the festivities, offering complimentary pup cups and serving up some wonderful coffee for their human companions. I enjoyed a cold brew cup that was delicious! Great coffee, friendly faces, and a genuine enthusiasm for being part of the community are certainly a winning combination.
Events like Pups on Parade are about much more than costumes and prizes. They are about the little traditions that give a village its personality. They bring generations together, introduce neighbors who might otherwise never meet, support local businesses, and remind us that community is something we create together.
A heartfelt thank-you to the Lindenhurst Rotary Club and Lindenhurst Memorial Library for continuing to make this such a special morning for everyone. Their dedication to bringing people together is one of the many reasons Lindenhurst remains such a wonderful place to call home.
And congratulations to all the participants, especially our very convincing four-legged first-place winner!
After all, where else can you attend a dog parade and watch a horse take home the prize?
Photos courtesy of Lorraine Riginio, Lindenhurst Rotary Club member.
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