5th Annual Hound of the Town Costume Parade

Ken Wilcox Award

On October 28, 2017, the Hound of the Town took place in North Beach at the boardwalk. Mike Benton, North Beach Town Council Member, emceed the event. This year there were 54 dogs entered in the contest. The entry fee is $7 per K-9. The costume parade is just for dogs and dog lovers! This dog costume parade takes place on the boardwalk along the Chesapeake Bay the Saturday before Halloween. Owners walk their furry friends along the parade route where they are introduced and judged by the panel of judges. Prizes are awarded at the conclusion of the parade. Only dogs can be entered in the parade!

Ken Wilcox, former Town Council Member started this event with his wife and daughter five years ago and it has been growing ever since. All proceeds benefit the Calvert Animal Welfare League (CAWL). Ken sent this quote, “Even though I am away, my heart and family are in North Beach. This Town tradition is something that my wife, daughter and I are so happy to have established and still support.”

Many dog owners brought their canines to watch the parade. According to Mike Benton it was the biggest crowd yet and the most dogs entered in the parade. And all were excited to meet all the other ones with a sniff, a lick and a bark hello! Some were not too crazy about their wardrobe and tried to wriggle out of it every chance they got, so owners were quite busy fixing and rearranging the outfits.

Mike kept the parade moving along for the benefit of the owners. The panel of judges were doing their best to keep up and Mike would stop the parade for a couple of minutes to help them. Soon it was time to award the prizes for all the categories.