Dogs Descend On Times Square For “The Fifth Annual Dog Day Masquerade”
Pooches Of All Shapes And Sizes Compete In Canine Costume Contest To Raise Awareness For Animal Haven’s Adopt-A-Pet Program
Sunday, October 18 at 1:00 pm
Broadway between 42nd and 43rd Streets

We humans may have to settle for the Oscars, but for our canine companions the biggest red carpet affair of all is THE FIFTH ANNUAL TIMES SQUARE DOG DAY MASQUERADE, presented by the Times Square Alliance.

Glamorous canine contenders of every kind will strut their stuff on the catwalk and on the giant “News Astrovision by Panasonic” screen, flaunting the very latest in cutting-edge “woof couture”. Top prizes, courtesy of Petland Discounts, will be awarded to the dogs whose costumes best evoke Times Square’s past or present. That includes paying tribute to the new crop of Broadway shows - sure, Jude Law can play Hamlet, the Melancholy Dane, but only at Dog Day Masquerade is there a chance you might see a Melancholy Great Dane, or perhaps a hippie hound from Hair or a Shih Tzu Shrek.  Historical figures like the VJ Day Sailor and Nurse are also welcome, as well as shady street characters from Times Square’s seedy past, because, as they say, poochin’ ain’t easy. This year, a special invitation is extended to large breed dogs to join the fun – there’s no reason to leave all the barking rights to the Chihuahuas!
Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges and their favorite pets. Included on the judges’ panel include 2008 Dog Day Masquerade champion Peanut and Broadway Care/Equity Fights AIDS Executive Director Tom Viola.