(SACRAMENTO COUNTY, Calif.) —Halloween weekend is bringing opportunities for dogs and their owners to join the festivities around Sacramento, with a costumed canine parade in Midtown Sacramento and a pet costume contest in Elk Grove among the events scheduled for Oct. 30-31.
Pet owners looking for ways to celebrate with their four-legged companions can find several options in the Sacramento area, including an event in nearby El Dorado Hills. Here’s where to go this Halloween weekend:
Credit: downtownsac.org
Sacramento: Midtown Halloween Festival and Pooch Parade
When: Noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31
Where: Marshall Park, Midtown Sacramento
Cost: Free; advance registration available
Dog owners can dress their pets in their spookiest, cutest or silliest costumes for Midtown’s Halloween Festival and Pooch Parade, a community celebration featuring a parade in front of crowds and judges, animal-focused vendors and opportunities to mingle with fellow dog lovers.
Hosted by Midtown Parks and Midtown Sutter restaurants, the event invites families, friends and neighbors to celebrate Halloween with their four-legged companions. Free registration is available online, and organizers encourage owners to sign up early because spaces and judging categories can fill quickly. Registered participants will also receive email updates before the event. After the festivities, attendees can visit nearby restaurants and businesses across the street from Marshall Park and throughout Midtown Sutter, including Barwest, Blue Cue, Café Bernardo, Centro Cocina Mexicana, Four Palms, Harlow’s, The Historic Star Lounge, Lock & Key Tapas & Bar, Octopus Baja, Paragary’s Midtown and Tea Bar & Fusion Café.
Register a dog through the Pooch Parade registration page. For more regional arts and entertainment events, visit Sacramento365, powered by Visit Sacramento and the City of Sacramento’s Office of Arts and Culture.
Sacramento: Tricks for Treats
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31
Where: Leash and Collar Dog Boutique, 1901 Q St., Sacramento
Cost: Check the event organizer for current ticket availability and pricing.
Tricks for Treats invites dogs and their owners to celebrate Halloween with a treat trail, vendors, a haunted path and a costume contest planned for approximately 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The event offers another option for owners who want to dress up their dogs and enjoy Halloween-themed activities in Sacramento. Check the Leash and Collar Dog Boutique event page for updated details and ticket availability before attending.
Credit: Explore Elk Grove
Elk Grove: Hallo-Palooza and Trunk-or-Treat
When: 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30
Where: District56, 8230 Civic Center Drive, Elk Grove
Cost: Free
Elk Grove’s fifth annual Hallo-Palooza and Trunk-or-Treat returns Friday with Halloween activities for the whole family, including a costume contest for pets.
"We are thrilled to partner with the Elk Grove Police Department for our annual Hallo-Palooza & Trunk-or-Treat event! It's an event that so many Elk Grove families look forward to, and the costume contests are always a highlight. Our community never fails to impress with their creativity, and it's great seeing families (and their furry friends) celebrate Halloween together in a safe, welcoming setting,” stated Casey Fabbri, Director of Marketing & Events at Explore Elk Grove.
Presented by Explore Elk Grove and the Elk Grove Police Department, the event features trunk-or-treating with Elk Grove police officers, face painting, a live DJ, games and costume contests for children, adults and pets. The costume contests begin at 7:15 p.m. at the outdoor entertainment stage, presented by Wilton Rancheria. Participants should line up behind the stage before the contests begin, then parade across the stage to be judged by city officials and sponsor partners. Winners will be announced at 8 p.m. Pet owners do not need to register in advance to enter the costume contest. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit Explore Elk Grove.
Folsom, Roseville and Citrus Heights: No additional upcoming events confirmed
As of Oct. 27, a future Halloween pet parade or dedicated pet costume contest in Folsom, Roseville or Citrus Heights could not be confirmed in the event listings reviewed for this guide. Pet owners in those communities may want to consider the Sacramento and Elk Grove events or travel to nearby El Dorado Hills for another Halloween celebration.
Nearby option: Halloween Spooktacular in El Dorado Hills
When: Saturday, Oct. 31; festivities begin at 3 p.m. Costume contest & pet parade starts at 5 pm. in Theatre Plaza with categories for the littlest, scariest, and best group costume.
Where: El Dorado Hills Town Center, 4370 Town Center Blvd., El Dorado Hills
Although outside Sacramento County, El Dorado Hills is another nearby option for families and pet owners. The Halloween Spooktacular includes trick-or-treating, live music and costume activities, with a pet parade listed as part of the celebration. Check the El Dorado Hills Town Center events page for the latest schedule and participation requirements before heading out.
Bradshaw Animal Shelter wants your pets spending spooky season safely at home with you. Costumes, decorations and visitors can bring extra risks for pets throughout October/Credit: Bradshaw Animal Shelter.
Keep pets safe during Halloween festivities
Before bringing a dog to a parade or costume contest, owners should consider whether their pet will be comfortable around crowds, loud noises, unfamiliar animals and people wearing masks.
“The biggest consideration is whether your dog will actually enjoy the event,” said Brittani Peterson, public information officer for Bradshaw Animal Shelter. “Crowds, loud noises, masks and unfamiliar animals can overwhelm even a dog who is normally social.”
Pet owners should watch for signs of stress, including repeated lip licking, yawning when a dog is not tired, ears pinned back, a tucked tail, trembling or attempts to hide or move away. Freezing or becoming unusually still can also indicate distress.
“Don’t wait for barking or growling to give your dog space,” Peterson said. “Move somewhere quiet and be ready to leave if they aren’t comfortable.”
Costumes should allow dogs to move freely, see clearly, breathe comfortably and pant. Peterson recommends trying costumes at home first, avoiding loose pieces that pets could chew or swallow, and removing the outfit if the dog shows signs of discomfort.
At public events, owners should use a secure leash and properly fitted collar or harness, ensure identification tags and microchip contact information are current, and give unfamiliar animals plenty of space. Dogs should not be forced to interact with people or other pets. Pet owners should also bring water, keep candy out of reach and have a plan for leaving if their dog becomes overwhelmed.
“Your dog’s comfort should guide how long you stay, even if that means heading home before the costume contest,” Peterson said.
For more seasonal advice, Sacramento County’s Bradshaw Animal Shelter offers Halloween pet-safety guidance at animalcare.saccounty.gov. Event schedules, registration requirements and ticket availability can change, so check with organizers before leaving home.
If you’d like to add or correct anything in this report, feel free to reach out to me or leave a comment below. Submit Sacramento County tips and story ideas to Sarah Denos at sarahkdenos@gmail.com.
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