A collection of dogs wearing an array of spook-tacular costumes caused people walking through Downtown Crossing Friday afternoon to “paws” with delight.
The four-legged companions were decked out in Halloween garb for the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District’s annual “Doggone Halloween Costume Parade.”
The free event, now in its fourth year, treats all dogs equally and doles out prizes for costume creativity, according to the Downtown Boston BID’s website.
Prizes were awarded for best costume, scariest costume, cutest costume, and best dog and human costume collaboration.
One owner arrived wearing an “Alice in Wonderland” outfit, with her dogs dressed as characters from the classic book. There were also superhero and lizard costumes, and one smaller dog, named Dudley, dressed as Zero Skellington from the “Nightmare Before Christmas.” (He took home the prize for scariest pooch on the block).
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The grand prize during the competition was a one-night stay at the Hyatt Regency Boston — where the winning dog is welcome to tag along.
The business group didn’t say on its website how an owner’s pet could become the top dog at the event. But they did offer this: “It is recommended you try to have your dog go to the bathroom before coming to the parade.”
No one likes a costume-party pooper, in other words.
Here’s some photos of the pets in costume that arrived for the festivities Friday:
Steve Annear can be reached at steve.annear@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @steveannear.