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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
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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.
Lesley Tompkins helps to dress Maggie.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Kim Police's dog Capri came dressed as his favorite toy, a sunflower.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Mushu takes the floor in the contest.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Jessie Reedman approaches with Tildy and Sadie.
Jessie Reedman approaches with Tildy and Sadie.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Michele Strauss brought her cat Felix in a gumball machine costume.
Michele Strauss brought her cat Felix in a gumball machine costume.
Photo by Ian Swaby
Brenda Whitehouse walks with Teddy, in a
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.
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
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

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