Dogs dressed as everything from pop-culture characters to imaginative Halloween creations took center stage at Fort Greene Park on Saturday, Oct. 24. The day marked the 28th annual Great PUPkin Dog Costume Contest, a neighborhood tradition that brings dog lovers and Halloween enthusiasts together each fall.
Organized by Fort Greene PUPS, a nonprofit founded in 1998, the event celebrates a community of more than 1,500 dog owners who support off-leash hours at Fort Greene Park. Spectators gathered along the grand stone staircase leading up to the Prison Ship Martyrs’ Monument to watch the costumed contestants and cheer on their favorites.
“This is one of the best fall events of the year," audience member Nick Green said. "I mean, just look around. There are hundreds of people here just to see dogs in Halloween costumes."
Now in its 28th year, the Great PUPkin contest has become a fixture on Fort Greene’s fall calendar, bringing locals together while also spotlighting community organizations like Badass Dog Rescue, a Brooklyn-based organization that rescues dogs from high-kill rural shelters.
This year’s judging panel brought together figures from entertainment, costume design and the local community. The jurors included podcaster and screenwriter Hunter Harris; Crystal Hudson, representative of New York City Council District 35; Zak Malik, vice chair of the Fort Greene Park Conservancy; and Sam Benett, a costume designer for Saturday Night Live.
After more than 100 competitors took their turn, costumes inspired by recent blockbuster film The Odyssey and the coined phrase “Mamdanistan,” were among the creative interpretations on display.
The Pawstige took first place and won the Audience Award, while Where’s Woof? earned second place and The Pawdessy took third.
Winners were determined by both the judges’ evaluations and audience reception, with the finalists being decided by the loudest applause from the crowd.
Beyond the costumes and competition, the fall event reflects the role neighborhood traditions play in Brooklyn’s community life. Fort Greene Park, a gathering place for residents throughout the year, offered a festive backdrop for an afternoon centered on creativity, local connections and a shared love of dogs.
With its combination of playful competition and neighborhood spirit, the Great PUPkin once again gave Fort Greene residents a reason to gather, celebrate Halloween and make the most of the season.
For Fort Greene PUPS, the annual contest is part of its broader, year-round work in the community. Residents interested in learning more about the organization and its activities can visit fortgreenepups.org or follow @fortgreenepups on Instagram.
