by Noella Noelophile®
(Royalty-free image by czaran19 from Pixabay.)
A jack-o-lantern walked by, wagging his tail.
A green dinosaur proudly wheeled past us, followed by her devoted humans.
And an elegant lady picked her way delicately along, decked out in ruffles, lace–and a rhinestone collar.
These are just three of my favorite memories from the first “Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade” we attended in Long Beach, pre-pandemic.
On the last Sunday prior to Halloween, Justin Rudd and his “Community Action Team” host this costumed canine parade, and it’s just about to happen again!
The twenty-fourth annual “Haute Dog Howl’oween Parade” is happening on Sunday, October 26th, 2025–and you and your furry family members are invited!
Royalty-free image by Bettina Stemann from Pixabay.)
How to enter
All participating canines need to be registered, and a $10 donation is requested, per dog, prior to the parade weekend. During the parade weekend, the donation requested for later registrants is $20. Here’s the link to register, with more information.
Human participants may wear costumes too, and in keeping with Haute Dogs’ policy of treating everyone with honor, dignity and respect, NO Native American costumes will be permitted, on either humans or canines. Also, the website requests, no culturally insensitive costumes.
Spectators may come and watch the festivities for free, and front-row chairs are also available for a $6 fee. (You may bring a chair for the second row, at no charge.)
Meanwhile, if you have a canine “rock star” or two in your household and they absolutely insist on being towards the front of the parade, you may get them a VIP (Very Important Pooch) registration for $35.
Proceeds from the parade go to support nonprofit Community Action Team, of which Haute Dogs is a part, as they continue to celebrate and unite the Long Beach community with the 60+ events they host, annually.
(Royalty-free image by Foden Nguyen from Pixabay.)
The details, amid wagging tails
Last year’s parade included more than 350 costumed dogs, and 350+ are expected again this year, according to Justin’s website.
The parade starts and ends at the beachfront grassy park and path in front of the former Belmont Pool, and will last about 40 minutes. The address: 4000 East Olympic Plaza, just west of Rosie’s Dog Beach.
Prior to the parade, though, there will be a vendor fair in the park, starting at 12:30. The parade itself begins at 2:30 pm, and the fair lasts until 4:00 pm.
And after the last pup has trotted by, don’t go away.
Judges will be on hand to award prizes for best costumes on dogs, best costumes on two-legged participants accompanied by a dog in the parade, best groups (any combo of at least two dogs with their humans) and best “floats”. (Floats are limited to 5′ wide.)
Like to be in the parade, but you don’t have a dog? Costumed kids and adults without dogs can participate, and will lead off the parade at 2:25 that Sunday afternoon. Humans can register for free after 1 pm at the red-and-white registration tent in the park.
How to get involved
(Royalty-free image by Mylene from Pixabay.)
Oh–and one more note.
If you have a free Sunday and would like to volunteer, Justin and his team would love to have your participation. They especially need help with take-down and trash pickup at 4:30. However, volunteer positions are also needed for registration, the water station and the start/finish line. For these positions, plan on being onsite at 11 am or noon and staying through the day, and please bring a bag of ice or a case of waters when you arrive. You can RSVP to volunteer at Justin@JustinRudd.com.
The 24th annual “Haute Dogs Howl’oween Parade” happens Sunday, October 26th at 2:30 pm, at 4000 East Olympic Plaza, in Long Beach.