• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Holiday 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
  • Holiday Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

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.
Mushu and Emmett dressed as Kermit and Fozzie, while Teagan Nickols dressed as Miss Piggy, claiming eighth place.
Photo by Ian Swaby
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

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. 

 
Lesley Tompkins helps to dress Maggie.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Kim Police's dog Capri came dressed as his favorite toy, a sunflower.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Kim Police's dog Capri came dressed as his favorite toy, a sunflower.
Photo by Ian Swaby
David and Agnes Marrs, and their dog Luna, talk with Rafael and Kelly Monedero, whose dog is Marley.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Barbara Leff, her son Brett Leff, and their dog Jordy dressed as border patrol, placing ninth in the contest.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Mushu takes the floor in the contest.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Jessie Reedman approaches with Tildy and Sadie.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Michele Strauss brought her cat Felix in a gumball machine costume.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Brenda Whitehouse walks with Teddy, in a "Where's Waldo" costume.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Laura Paone adjusts the Pope Leo costume worn by Leo.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Alysia Santos and her dogs Scarlett and Gracie dressed in a costume themed after "Wicked", claiming seventh place.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Mushu and Emmett dressed as Kermit and Fozzie, while Teagan Nickols dressed as Miss Piggy, claiming eighth place.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Alicia Miller, 13, walks with Butters, who is dressed as a bumblebee.
Photo by Ian Swaby
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.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Naomi Bentley and her dog Fig came dressed as Lilo and Stitch.
Photo by Ian Swaby
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.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Emma Baird, 8 talks about having the chance to participate in the event.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Ocean Wolf, Madi Sparks and their dogs Pepper, Buster and Bagel dressed as a hibachi stand and claimed second place in the contest.
Photo by Ian Swaby
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.
Photo by Ian Swaby

 

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.

Latest News

  • November 7, 2025
Plans for a second high school in Lakewood Ranch debated due to traffic
  • November 7, 2025
Emergency traffic-light system expands in Manatee
  • November 6, 2025
Remodeled Chidsey Library marks another milestone in The Bay
  • November 6, 2025
Future medical site plan in Newtown moves forward

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

  • November 8, 2025
Sarasota Sheriff's Office kicks off toy drive Dec. 1
  • November 7, 2025
Check out free St. Armands art fest this weekend
  • November 6, 2025
Group of seniors becomes first-time authors with memoir writing program
  • November 6, 2025
Arrive early and stay late to avoid parade congestion at UTC
  • November 4, 2025
Market brings local businesses to downtown Sarasota
  • November 3, 2025
Ferraris turn out for final Flight to the North Pole major fundraiser

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 © 2025 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