This year marks the 15th Annual Jamaica Plain Canine Costume Parade. This year’s event will take place on Saturday, October 27, 2018, and will feature a parade down Centre and South Streets with a Grand Marshall, music from JP Honk, and a police escort. The parades culminates in a red carpet walk at Loring Greenough House, with judging and prizes awarded for the best costume. The Grand Marshall of the Parade is Indy, a Canine Companion for Independence, who works along with his human in the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office to provide relief for victims and witnesses.
The Canine Costume Parade is a treasured tradition in Jamaica Plain, a particular favorite of Jamaica Plain’s most distinguished residents. The humans in Jamaica Plain like it too. Both dogs and humans dress for the parade, which has brought out some truly creative costumes in the past, such as Henry the 8th, Mary Poppins, Hugh Hefner, and last year’s winner, Bruce Springsteen (a greyhound who was “Born to Run.”) In past years, the parade ended at the South Street Tennis Courts and Mall, but has grown so large that it needs to move to the lawn of Loring Greenough House.
A Toy Story themed duo walked the red carpet at Jamaica Plain’s 14th Annual Dog Parade held on Oct. 28, 2017. Photo courtesy of Jamaica Plain News and Daniela Klaz.
Proceeds raised from the registration fees go to the City of Boston’s Animal Shelter. The entirety of the registration fees is used to purchase gift cards to local pet businesses, which are then given to the city’s Animal Shelter to use at their convenience. In this way, the donations benefit the animals directly. The parade is sponsored by JP Centre/South Main Streets and the JP Business and Professional Association, and goodie bags and prizes are donated by Pet Cabaret, Polkadog Bakery, and the Blue Frog Bakery. Brad Brown, owner of the Blue Frog Bakery and noted dog lover, will emcee the parade for his 14th consecutive year.
Registration is $10, and begins at 12 noon on Saturday, October 27, at First Baptist Church, 633 Centre Street. Pets and humans must register to be eligible for the costume contest. However anyone may march in the parade. The parade will begin at approximately 1:00 PM at the First Baptist Church. It will travel south on Centre Street to South Street, and finish at Loring Greenough House. Judging will commence with a red carpet walk and celebrity judges: Councilor Matt O’Malley, Amanda Kennedy – Director of Animal Care and Control with City of Boston, Nancy Baxter – owner of Fancy Schmancy, and Lisa DiPietro – co-owner of Pet Cabaret. Winners will be announced at the end of the parade. The festivities will include a food truck at Loring Greenough House.