Chipmunks and lobsters and dragons, oh my!

The pups of Portland’s Bayside neighborhood showed up in their best costumes at the first-ever Howl-O-Ween event on Saturday afternoon. 

Hosted by the Bayside Neighborhood Association, Howl-O-Ween featured live music, hot cider and a highly anticipated dog costume parade, with prizes for the winners. 

A local celebrity even stopped by the event. 

Wearing a purple octopus costume, Mr. Pemberton the pug paraded around the event with his owner, Gina Figoli. 

“We try to do all kinds of community events, because he loves people and loves to be out and about,” Figoli said of Mr. Pemberton. 

Mr. Pemberton might not be able to see as well as he used to, but Figoli said he still loves to be around people. 

And the people love him. 

“It’s so fun to see the dogs in their costumes. They’re so cute,” Portland resident Hali Fortin said. 

Fortin attended the event with her young daughter, who she said is “obsessed” with dogs. 

“She begged and begged to come to this,” Fortin said. 

Nearby, a banana came onto the scene, in the shape of Mandy the pitbull mix. More of a people dog than a dog’s dog, Mandy was focused on receiving pats from every person around. 

Her banana costume was apropos, owner Jason Williams said. 

“We call her Mandy Banandy, because she loves bananas,” Williams said. “This was perfect.” 

Across the park, Chewy the dog was a little bit less sure about humans, but still wanted to participate in the Howl-O-Ween parade.

Strapped to his owner Holly Picotte, Chewy took on the identity of a chipmunk.

“It’s his favorite toy,” Picotte said. 

Picotte, who lives in the Bayside neighborhood, said she regularly attends events hosted by the Bayside Neighborhood Association. 

This one, however, might be the most fun. 

“It’s great to support the association, and it’s so fun to see all of the dogs out here,” Picotte said. 

The association received a grant from the city of Portland, Treasurer Peter Markoe said, and decided to host the inaugural Howl-O-Ween. 

“We thought it would be a cool thing to do to activate this space here in Bayside that’s not typically this lively,” Markoe said. “It’s going great.” 

The most anticipated part of Saturday’s event was the dog costume parade, where 15 dogs showed off their best costumes. 

Kicking off the parade were Moo-Moo and Milky, both dressed as Cookie Monster. The duo took home the prize for “cutest couple.” 

The prize for “scariest” costume went to Dash, a tiny dachshund dressed as a skeleton, and the award for “most convincing” costume went to Buddy, a chocolate doodle dressed as a United Parcel Service worker. 

Missy, dressed as a pink dragon, won “Best in Class” in the large dog category, while famous Mr. Pemberton won “Best in Class” in the small dog category. 

Figoli looked on with pride. 

“It’s really great to see the community and the people who love their dogs,” Figoli said. “It’s great to see the dogs included. They’re family.”