By Leslie Albrecht
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
UPPER WEST SIDE — When Captain Nacho Sparrow made his entrance at the West 72nd Street dog run in Riverside Park on Saturday, a murmur ran through the crowd.
It's not every day you see a schnauzer dressed up as a pirate. With an eye patch. And a sword.
The Johnny Depp-inspired dog was one of dozens of costumed canines that competed Saturday in a Halloween contest to benefit FLORAL (Friends and Lovers of Riverside Area Life), the all-volunteer nonprofit that maintains the dog run.
Captain Nacho Sparrow was among this year's winners. An experienced competitor, he won a prize at last year's contest when he dressed as an NYPD police car.
Entrants paraded for a panel of judges, who scored the pooches on creativity and originality. Prizes included a year's supply of Earthborn dog food, dog grooming and gift baskets from Pet Central.
A shih tzu named Noodles won in the "best other species" category for her goldfish costume. Owner Vanessa Cohen said she and her husband take any opportunity to dress up Noodles. The dog also competed in — and won — two other costume contests at PetSmart this year.
"People say me and my husband are like pageant parents," Cohen said.
But Noodles doesn't seem to mind being pushed into limelight, Cohen said.
"She's used to it," Cohen said. "We've been doing it to her since she was a puppy. She'll wear anything."
Another patient pooch was Pearl, a 14-year-old pug who won for her tortoise costume. She was accompanied by another dog, Cricket, who dressed as a hare.
It took a week to make Pearl's tortoise costume out of foam, duct tape and hangers, said Pearl's owner, Amy Farber.
"Pearl is very, very patient and has dealt with hours of me fitting this costume," Farber said. "It took a long time, but it's worth it. She wears it well."
