• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Pups get dressed up for Bark-O-Ween

A county-hosted costume contest showed that dogs can love Halloween just as much as their owners.


  • By Cassidy Alexander
  • | 3:01 p.m. October 21, 2017
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Halloween gives everyone a chance to pretend to be something else. Bark-O-Ween on Oct. 21 was the dogs' chance. 

Dogs and their owners gathered in Arlington Paw Park  for a county-hosted costume contest. The event culminated in a parade of dogs, who were judged and won prizes in several categories. 

Dogs of all shapes and sizes were dressed up like sharks, fairies, superheroes, pumpkins — there was even a canine geisha. People got snacks, the dogs got goodie bags and everyone got a few really good photo-ops. 

 

Peggy Cockerill and her dog, Sookie.
Peggy Cockerill and her dog, Sookie.
Patty Reid and Buster.
Patty Reid and Buster.
Heidi Kaplan and her dog, Charlie, won Most Creative Costume for their geisha outfit.
Heidi Kaplan and her dog, Charlie, won Most Creative Costume for their geisha outfit.
Bowser and his family — Uhtred, Amy and Selkie Garner — won Best Overall Costume for their canine version of a minion.
Bowser and his family — Uhtred, Amy and Selkie Garner — won Best Overall Costume for their canine version of a minion.
Cody Jeffers and her dog Penny, left, and Darlene Antinori and Reesie.
Cody Jeffers and her dog Penny, left, and Darlene Antinori and Reesie.
Britta Saemann and Martin Galea check out Bark-O-Ween with Charlotte, George, Chloe and Stella.
Britta Saemann and Martin Galea check out Bark-O-Ween with Charlotte, George, Chloe and Stella.
David and Laura Dessauer and their rescue dog Sweet Pea won Funniest Costume.
David and Laura Dessauer and their rescue dog Sweet Pea won Funniest Costume.
The dogs parade around Arlington Paw Park to show off their costumes.
The dogs parade around Arlington Paw Park to show off their costumes.
One of these dogs is not like the others... Jamie and Connor Jalwan came to check out the event.
One of these dogs is not like the others... Jamie and Connor Jalwan came to check out the event.
Yishai and Lucy Sprung, and their dog Ponchik, were one of the judge's picks.
Yishai and Lucy Sprung, and their dog Ponchik, were one of the judge's picks.
The whole crew gathered for a photo in Arlington Paw Park at Bark-O-Ween.
The whole crew gathered for a photo in Arlington Paw Park at Bark-O-Ween.
Lucia and Andrew Panica and their dog Zoe were one of the judge's picks.
Lucia and Andrew Panica and their dog Zoe were one of the judge's picks.
Skyler Rissler and her dog Maddie had matching costumes, and were one of the judge's picks.
Skyler Rissler and her dog Maddie had matching costumes, and were one of the judge's picks.

 

Latest News

Capt. A.J. Grande operates a "six pack" fishing charter business who often picks up and drops off customers at Nora Patterson Park.
  • February 5, 2026
Permits will be required for charter boat operators using county parks
District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold walks in a parade in 2021.
  • February 5, 2026
Longboat commissioner appointed to National League of Cities committee
The house at 3638 San Remo Terrace overlooks the north Siesta Key bridge.
  • February 5, 2026
Rock star sells Sarasota estate for $7.5 million
Philip DiMaria says “there is a great opportunity here for St. Armands to evolve and become incredible again.”
  • February 5, 2026
Urban planner shares bold ideas to solve flooding on St. Armands

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

Sarasota nonprofit Casting For The Kids helps children with cancer and their families breathe a little easier.
  • February 6, 2026
Annual fishing tournament casts for a cause
Thomas Modly adjusts the flagpoles as the sun sets.
  • February 5, 2026
Patriots Pier in Siesta Key receives new flagpoles
Jennifer Rominiecki brought the living museum concept to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens when she was named president and CEO in 2015.
  • February 5, 2026
Botanical gardens' potential lured Rominiecki family to Sarasota
Perfectly in sync, Ski-A-Rees skiers Natalie Brannon, Debbie Brannon, Ella Walker and Steph Ouellette skim across Sarasota Bay, blending athleticism and grace.
  • February 5, 2026
From flips to ballet, Ski-A-Rees have done it all on the water since 1957
Sarah Firstenberger was named CEO of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce in June.
  • February 4, 2026
Siesta Key Chamber’s new leader takes the helm
Chamber launches summertime internship program
  • February 4, 2026
Chamber launches summertime internship program

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now