Dogs and humans get into costume at Dog-A-Ween

By Ian Swaby
| 5:57 p.m. October 26, 2025

Mushu and Emmett dressed as Kermit and Fozzie, while Teagan Nickols dressed as Miss Piggy, claiming eighth place.

Sarasota
Neighbors

Building a time machine is no small feat.

However, Kristin Goddard was willing to undertake the task as she and her dog Stella returned to Dog-A-Ween this year on Oct. 24, dressed as Doc Brown and Marty McFly from "Back to the Future."

Godard said, as she stood before judges, that the costume, which included a wagon converted into a DeLorean, took about six hours to put together.

Ultimately, she claimed the first place slot in the contest, which is hosted each year by the Sarasota Downtown Merchants Association, at the Sarasota Farmers Market, and supports the shelter Donte's Den in Myakka City.

City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch, who has repeatedly served as a judge at the event, noted that it supports the downtown merchants and restaurants.

"This is one of my favorite events all year, and you can just see the enthusiasm. It's just really, really cute, and I enjoy it very, very much," she said.

Kim Police's dog Capri came dressed as his favorite toy, a sunflower.

David and Agnes Marrs, and their dog Luna, talk with Rafael and Kelly Monedero, whose dog is Marley.

Barbara Leff, her son Brett Leff, and their dog Jordy dressed as border patrol, placing ninth in the contest.

Jessie Reedman approaches with Tildy and Sadie.

Michele Strauss brought her cat Felix in a gumball machine costume.

Brenda Whitehouse walks with Teddy, in a "Where's Waldo" costume.

Laura Paone adjusts the Pope Leo costume worn by Leo.

Alysia Santos and her dogs Scarlett and Gracie dressed in a costume themed after "Wicked", claiming seventh place.

Alicia Miller, 13, walks with Butters, who is dressed as a bumblebee.

Quentin Whitehouse, carrying Nova, who is dressed as Wonder Woman, tells costume contest host Tyler Butler of "Out and About" that the costume was inspired by his wife, who is Brenda Whitehouse.

Naomi Bentley and her dog Fig came dressed as Lilo and Stitch.

Stella and Kristin Goddard, who came as E.T. and Elliot last year, reprised the concept of an iconic 80's duo by dressing as Marty McFly and Doc Brown, claiming the first place award.

Emma Baird, 8 talks about having the chance to participate in the event.

Ocean Wolf, Madi Sparks and their dogs Pepper, Buster and Bagel dressed as a hibachi stand and claimed second place in the contest.

Angelica Kevra, Sarah Anderson, Emma Baird, 8, and Leah Quattro, 8, along with Tokyo and Nairobi as a hamburger and hot dog, brought a delicious costume idea and claimed third place.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.