By Paul Lomax
Special to DNAinfo
HELL'S KITCHEN — Tails were turning instead of heads as hundreds of people enjoyed balmy temperatures to watch a host of animals strut their stuff for the 5th annual Pet Parade Sunday.
Dogs, cats, turtles and even a Chinese lizard lapped up the attention at Pier 84 in Hudson River Park, sporting all kinds of fun and colorful costumes.
Organized by the Friends of Hudson River Park, the popular event draws hundreds of people every year to compete for prizes in categories such as "Best Dressed Pet," "Most Exotic Pet," and "Best Pet Trick."
New York Jets fans Veniza Butler, 45, and hubby Nat, 45, traveled from New Jersey with their Jack Russell terriers Wishbone, 6, and Kwizz, 7, decked out in the colors of Gang Green.
"This is the first time we've been to the Pet Parade and it's a great day out!" they said.
"We read about it in this morning's paper. So we got the boys dressed in their football gear and headed straight over. We'll definitely be here again next year!"
Also joining this year's parade was Katya, who did not want to give her last name, and her Shih Tzu, Duke de Barclay.
"This is a wonderful event," she said. "It's such a great day out that we dressed up in Indian Summer colors."
Ava Patino, 10, of New York, and her Red Eared Slider Turtle, called "Slider," were hoping to win two contests, including "Best Dressed Pet" and "Most Exotic Pet."
"We really want to win both," she said. "It's our first time here."
And Dylan, seven, also of New York, brought his Chinese 'Climber' lizard, "Eva," to the parade.
"I got her from Petland," he said, "but the real ones come all the way from China."
