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The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

Day of the Dog in Fort Greene

By Janet Upadhye | October 26, 2012 2:21pm

FORT GREENE — It's that time of year again. The leaves are falling, the Jack-o-lanterns are glowing and the dogs are dressing up like Lady Gaga, or Lindsay LoHound.

In Fort Greene Park this weekend, a parade of dogs in creative costumes will prance in front of judges in what is known as Fort Greene's annual Pupkin Contest.

"The creativity displayed in this competition is astounding," said Julia Rosenfeld, manager at Who's Your Doggy. "People really spend time on making brilliant costumes for their dogs."

Previous year's contestants have dressed up as Spiderman, a piece of cake, and a mousetrap.

And the parade of trotting pups draws the crowds.

"The park is literally packed on that day," said Rosenfeld.

Karla Harscheid never thought she'd be the type of person to dress her dog up. In fact she didn't think she would be entering her Australian Cattle Dog/English shepherd mutt, Dynamite, in this year's competition.

But last minute she changed her mind and found herself on the way to Downtown Brooklyn to get a costume for her furry friend.

"She's going to be the wolf in grandma's clothing from Little Red Riding Hood," she said.

Dynamite is a two-year contest veteran, and caused a stir when she dressed up as Lindsay Lohan. She wore a long blonde wig and a prison suit. Though she didn't win that time,  neighbors still talk about the costume.

"If I can't think of something clever, I won't dress her up," said Harscheid.

And though Dynamite doesn't exactly like dressing up, she wiggled out of a stick if dynamite costume in ten minutes, Harscheid thinks the contest shows how good city dogs (and dog owners) actually have it.

Contest organizer, Kath Hansen says the contest also shows what a unique neighborhood Fort Greene is.

"People in Fort Greene are so creative!" she said.

The contest will take place on Saturday, Oct. 27 (rain date Sunday, Oct. 28). The registration desk will open at around 11:00 a.m. on the monument plaza, and the contest will start at noon sharp at the bottom of the monument stairs. Check the website for more information.