Fort Greene Park turned into a sea of wagging tails and elaborate costumes Saturday as the 28th annual Great PUPkin Dog Costume Contest drew roughly 5,000 spectators and more than 100 costumed dogs for an afternoon of Halloween theatrics. The grand prize went to a pup transported in style as The Pawsteige, with a Where's Woof entry taking second and The Dogyssey crew, complete with a working Trojan horse, placing third.
A Record Crowd And A Growing Tradition
The contest, held Oct. 24 at Fort Greene Park, was hosted by the Fort Greene Park Users and Pets Society, known as PUPS, according to Brooklyn Paper. PUPS volunteer Alana Davis told the outlet this year's event brought record spectator turnout and over-the-top creativity from participants. Davis said the hard work of contestants, dogs and judges was reflected in the community's smiles and cheers throughout the afternoon.
Separate coverage from bkmag.com described thousands gathering in the park to watch more than 100 ridiculously dressed doggos strut their stuff, with that outlet similarly crediting the Pawdyssey crew with third place, a Where's Waldo-inspired costume with second, and a dog called The Pawstige with the grand prize. The two outlets' placement reports align closely, even as spellings of the costume names vary slightly between accounts.
Judges With Serious Credentials
This year's panel leaned on genuine entertainment and civic pedigree. Hunter Harris, writer and host of the Lemme Say This podcast, joined NYC Council Member Crystal Hudson, Fort Greene Park Conservancy Vice Chair Zak Malik, and Sam Bennett, a costume designer for Saturday Night Live, in judging the field. Per bkmag.com, the esteemed panel sorted through a wildly imaginative lineup before handing out the top honors.
Brooklyn Paper reported the judges' picks included Oscar the Grouch, the Fool tarot card, the Beagles, a Catch-a-Marty claw machine, Mister Owl, Cinderella and the Pawdyssey. Among the standout entries, Beast the pug came dressed as Scrub Daddy doing the dishes, while Willow and Bently appeared as Greek warriors portraying characters from the Pawdyssey, posing aboard a Viking ship. Other contestants paid homage to the late Dolly Parton, and some costumes celebrated the Knicks' first NBA championship win in more than 50 years.
Fundraising And A Nonprofit's Bigger Mission
The contest raised more than $7,000 for PUPS, Brooklyn Paper reported, money that supports a mission stretching well beyond one Halloween afternoon. According to fortgreenepups.org, PUPS was founded in 1998 and is now a community of more than 1,500 dog owners who support both off-leash hours and the park itself. The group is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that advocates for responsible dog ownership, promotes the benefits of off-leash exercise, and sponsors the Great PUPkin as its signature event.
Beyond the costume contest, PUPS creates opportunities for neighbors to connect through events, the nonprofit's site notes, including puppy-meets, donation drives and morning coffees. Brooklyn Paper reports that the group organizes quarterly doggy meet-ups. PUPS' website says it sponsors quarterly park worker appreciation breakfasts. Brooklyn Paper also reports that the group provides water bowls and poop bags throughout the park and contributes to paw-friendly ice melt during winter months; the PUPS website says it places bowls at human-only water fountains and provides poop-bag dispensers. Davis and the PUPS volunteer team said they return year after year because the neighborhood looks forward to the event, adding that they want to keep delivering a more enjoyable Pupkin for the community.
A Quarter-Century Of Howling Good Fun
The Great PUPkin's roots go back further than most attendees realize. What started as a small get-together organized by Kath Hansen, Amy Hecht and friends had transformed into a beloved neighborhood celebration by the time the contest marked its 25th year in 2023, according to Time Out New York. That anniversary event drew about 100 dogs.
The field has only grown since. The 2024 contest drew more than 1,000 attendees and featured costumes ranging from movies and opera to fairy tales, the newly crowned WNBA champion New York Liberty, and iconic Brooklyn landmarks, with a dog named Gemma taking the grand prize dressed as a Babybel cheese while Pooch Otter and Pug Beast rounded out the top three. Two years before that, the 2022 edition was billed as the 24th annual Great PUPkin, with organizers expecting more than 100 dogs to dress up for the occasion, per PIX11. This year's turnout of over 100 costumed dogs and roughly 5,000 spectators suggests the Fort Greene tradition shows no signs of slowing down.
