Photos by Josh Owens
Video by Eddy Garay
Now that the HOWLoween season is officially over for the 2024 season, it’s time to recap and highlight the best pet-friendly event that DOWNTOWN hosts every year—Barktoberfest!
Every October, New Yorkers and their pets—dogs and even a few brave cats—come together to celebrate the spooky season with our Dog Costume Contest. With grand prizes from generous sponsors, including hotel stays at the Four Seasons and Conrad, dining certificates for Nobu and Senza Gluten by Jemiko, cruises with Classic Harbor Line, photography sessions, and more, DOWNTOWN’s Barktoberfest is the must-attend event of the season!
Inspired by and created in honor of our beloved PAWblisher, Barclay, Barktoberfest is our largest family- and pet-friendly gathering. We’re especially proud to feature incredible animal rescues and shelters each year, and this time, we had the privilege of showcasing Best Friends Animal Society. We stand firmly behind the “Adopt, Don’t Shop” motto, championing the cause that every animal deserves a loving FURever home.
This year, the beautiful Rooftop Park at Pier 57 set the stage, giving our contestants a chance to strut their stuff for our panel of judges. After tough deliberation, they awarded the Top 10 Winners, and each one truly impressed!
We owe special thanks to our fantastic judges for making the hard calls and to our wonderful sponsors, whose support ensures that DOWNTOWN’s Barktoberfest remains an unforgettable success each year.
To see more highlights from the event, including photos and videos, scroll down or visit our official Barktoberfest webpage to enjoy all the memories from this year’s celebration!
Congrats our Top 10 winners!
1st place: Luna Storm as Queen Charlotte from Bridgerton
2nd place: Matcha and Zumi as Taxi in Time Square
3rd place: Tin-Tin as Mexican Fighter Rayo Loco
4th place: Stewie, Lola, and Jugui as Beetlejuice Family
5th place: Ziggy as Taylor Swift Childless Cat Lady
6th place: Amun as Flying Doro Spyder
7th place: Eloise as Baby Deer
8th place: Koji as Kamala/Walz Representative
9th place: Charlie as Harry Potter
10th place: Moira Rose and Eliza Littledoodle as Hot Diggity Dog and NY Yankees MVP
Honorary mention: Bella as Green Gummy Bear
Round of applause for our judges!
Elizabeth Velez
Deb Martin
Janet McCreesh
Brianne Manz
Diane Blackman
Cheryl Lefkovits
Natalie Mendell
Jonathan Ramos
Special appreciation!
Pier 57
Best Friends Animal Society
David Duszak
Erica Capobianco
Behind the lens!
Eddy Garay
Josh Owens
Thanks to our sponsors!
SynLawn
Silverstein Properties
New York-Presbyterian
Downtown Alliance
Four Seasons Hotel
Conrad Hotel
Nobu Restaurant
Classic Harbor Line
Senza Gluten by Jemiko
Complete Playground
Complete Body
Josh Owens Photography
Mandala Pets
Fabio Dotti Hair Salon
Velez Organization
E.S. Drapery and Design
Citipups
Duce
INCOLOUR
More photos here.