Are you dressing up your pet this Halloween season? Check out these local costume contests for fur babies and fuzzy friends—you could win cash and prizes for your cutie!
October is Adopt a Shelter Dog Month. These events are a great way to connect with and support local shelters and rescue groups. Check out what’s happening in the RVA pet community:
October 19, 12–5 PM: Richmond Moon Market at Stone Brewing
Howl-o-ween and Pet Costume Contest
Benefit for the Richmond SPCA. Stone Brewing Richmond will donate a percentage of profits, and the Richmond Moon Market will raffle off prizes from local makers and businesses.
Richmond Moon Market: Explore dozens of local artists and vendors showcasing the weird, wild, and wonderful. Enjoy food from the Live Buena taco truck, live music, and more!
SCHEDULE
12–5 PM: Richmond Moon Market
12–5 PM: Fae Photo Booth! Dress up for a pic with the Richmond Faerie Federation at their photo booth. Wear your costume or let the Fae create a look for you.
1 PM: DJ Ease the Architect (2nd floor Mezzanine)
3 PM: The Amazing Jonathan (2nd floor Mezzanine / Patio)
3 PM: Live music from Dylan Benjamin (Taproom)
4 PM: Dog costume contest! Dress your furry friend in a killer costume, grab the leash, and join us on the patio. You could win $100 CASH and prizes from Stone Brewing, Richmond Moon Market, Dogma, and Dude Ranch.
Special Guest Judges:
- Dr. Justin Jones, DVM, Jones Vet Care
- Megan Dahmer, Dogma Grooming and Pet Needs
- Jayne Geist, Dude Ranch Pet Resort
- Carlie Hampton, QA Supervisor, Stone Brewing Richmond
- Mystery Judge, Richmond SPCA
October 26, 1:30 PM: Dogma Annual Pet Costume Contest at ‘Scarytown’ in Carytown
Hosted by Dogma Grooming and Pet Needs, 3501 W Cary St, Richmond, VA.
Dogma’s Annual Pet Costume Contest is part of the Scarytown event in Carytown and the Richmond Zombie Walk. Show off your adorable pets in their costumes for a chance to win!
Awards:
1st Prize: $100 Cash!
Cash prizes for 2nd and 3rd places.
This family-friendly event includes candy for kids, and all animals receive a gift bag. Proceeds benefit Richmond Animal Care and Control.
October 26, 1–6 PM: Howl-O-Ween Party at Väsen Brewing
3331 W Moore St, Richmond, VA
Join Väsen Brewing for a Howl-O-Ween Party featuring a Spooky Dog Costume Contest and a pup-themed vendor market.
Schedule:
1–6 PM: Vendor market with local favorites like Cashews Dog Bakery, JMac Ceramics, Tuckered Out Dog Walking, Paws Up! Petsitting, and Dognitive Behavior & Training.
3 PM: Spooky Dog Costume Contest! Dress your pup in their best costume for a chance to win fun prizes.
Special guests:
Richmond Animal Care & Control (RACC) will be on-site from 1–4:30 PM with merch and information. A portion of sales will benefit RACC.
October 27, 11:30 AM–2:00 PM: 5th Annual Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest at Brambly Park
1708 Belleville Street, Richmond, VA
Dress up yourself and your pups for our 5th Annual Howl-O-Ween doggie costume contest.
Schedule:
11:30 AM – Small dogs
12:00 PM – Large dogs
12:30 PM – Groups (multiple dogs or dogs and owners)
Awards will follow the costume viewing.
Awards:
Best in Show: $300
Each Category:
1st Place: 3 bottles of Brambly Park Wine + $100 gift card
2nd Place: 1 bottle of Brambly Park Wine + $50 gift card
3rd Place: 1 bottle of Brambly Park Wine
Sign Up Here!
All October: Cat-Tober at Fountain Bookstore
1312 E Cary St., Richmond, VA
Submit a photo of your cat (or cats!) with a book from Fountain Bookstore for a chance to win one of TWO $50 gift cards! No purchase is necessary to enter. Submit online via AirTable HERE. Entries are accepted until Halloween!
November 3, 1–4 PM: RVA Sploot Fest at RVA Corgi Club
820 Sanctuary Trail Drive, Henrico, VA
Join us for a fun day of Corgi racing, a Corgi costume contest, and an agility demo! Sponsored by the RVA Corgi Club, Toby Town, and Zoom Room Dog Training Richmond. Vendors will be offering Corgi and dog-related items. All dogs are welcome to attend!
Written by Lauren Vincelli
Main Image INformation
Lady Greyhound was a marketing mascot for Greyhound Lines in the 1950s and 1960s. Introduced as part of a campaign by Grey Advertising, she was intended to help the bus company compete with the rising popularity of private cars. The first Lady Greyhound, a white and gold greyhound, was born in 1957 and first appeared in a Greyhound commercial on The Steve Allen Show, where she was initially called “Steverino.” Later, she was renamed Lady Greyhound and became a prominent public figure, appearing on TV shows, parades, and charity events.
Lady Greyhound was well-known for her appearances with diamond-studded accessories, and she even received several awards, such as the Bide a Wee Medal and the title of Outstanding Dog of 1961. She had a busy promotional schedule, including attending the New York World’s Fair and participating in over 800 shows. The original Lady Greyhound was retired in the mid-1960s and replaced by two younger greyhounds, but the campaign ended by 1970. Lady Greyhound was bred by Roy Lee of Clay Center, Kansas.
