Annual ‘Strut Your Mutt’ returns to county

Update: Due to the forecast of rain, these two events have been moved to Sunday, Oct. 23.

MONTCLAIR / MAPLEWOOD / MILLBURN, NJ — Essex County dog owners are invited to display their creativity and participate in Strut Your Mutt, Essex County’s annual Canine Halloween Costume Parade and Contest. This year, two parades have been scheduled. Participation is free. The costume parades and contests will be held as follows: on Saturday, Oct. 22, beginning at 10 a.m., with registration at 9:15 a.m., in Essex County Brookdale Dog Park on Grove Street in Montclair; and on Saturday, Oct. 22, beginning at 2 p.m., with registration at 1:15 p.m., Essex County South Mountain Dog Park on Crest Drive in Maplewood and Millburn. The rain date for both parades is the following day, Sunday, Oct. 23.

“The Essex County Dog Parks have become popular places for dog owners to bring their faithful companions. In turn, the canine costume parades are growing into a favorite Halloween celebration for everyone to enjoy. Whether you own a dog or not, we invite you to come see creative costumes worn by dogs of all breeds,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said in a press release.

Strut Your Mutt is a free event. Prizes will be awarded for first, second and third places in a variety of categories. For more information, call 973-268-3500.