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Legacy Grove Park will once again be abuzz with activity this upcoming Saturday, October 26. 

The third Annual Howl-o-Ween Costume Contest, which has drawn dog friends to the park in high numbers the last two years, will take place at the dog park’s location at 1107 W. Lexington Avenue from 9:00 a.m. to noon. 

Pre-registration begins from 9:00 a.m to 10:00 a.m. with the event itself occurring at 10:00 a.m.

“The best in show winner gets a $50 gift certificate from Lucky Dog Cafe,” said Anna Campomanes, Event and Marketing Coordinator for Legacy Greenscapes. “What’s [cuter] than seeing a bunch of dogs dressed up in a costume? I think that’s something we can all [rally] around.” 

The Best in Show winner will be chosen from the victors of three separate categories: small, medium, and large dog. 

Other potential prizes include a raffle winner receiving a pet portrait completed by artist Dana McCall, while a photo booth with a backdrop will also be present. 

Sponsors include PAW Bandits, with vendors such as the Clark County Animal Shelter and more also planned. 

Campomanes, who is in her first year as Event and Marketing Coordinator, spoke of the dog park’s strong reputation. 

“We get visitors to the dog park from not only Clark County, but the surrounding counties as well. The [Legacy Grove] dog park is one of the best they’ve ever been to just in terms of the upkeep in maintenance and especially the community around the dog park,” she said. “They know each other real well [and] they take care of each other. From the feedback I get…dogs are very well socialized.” 

Previous year’s events have seen people get quite creative with their costume ideas. 

“One of my favorite ones was a dog dressed up as a dinosaur, and her owner dressed up as a Jurassic Park employee,” she said. “I think the combo costumes are really kind of the winners. One of the cutest ones…was a wagon full of pugs and one baby dressed up as a pug. Anytime you see a basket full of pugs, that’s going to be compelling.” 

She also mentioned how the event rallies support, with local luminaries often serving as judges and being involved.

“I think because this event is the [biggest] event of the year for our dog park, the whole dog park community comes out and supports it,” she said. 

Legacy Grove Park continues to be involved in other community events too. 

On November 1, they’ll host a Dia de los Muertos Festival from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., the first Hispanic Heritage Festival and after-dark event at the park. 

“It’s one of the first…in Clark County and we’re really excited about that,” she said. “We’re loving the fact that we have a place where we can welcome people with…some familiar cultural traditions and also to introduce the residents of Clark County to new cultural traditions.”