'Ruff Call': Holmdel Howl'oween Parade Will Be Sunday

HOLMDEL, NJ — Dog owners and dog lovers are in for a treat this weekend at the third annual Alex's Paw Park Howl'oween K9 Costume Contest and Parade.

The event was planned for Saturday at the Alexander Ching Memorial Dog Park, 41 Middletown Road, at Bayonet Farm in Holmdel.

But organizers monitored the weather and moved the event to Sunday, Oct. 22. Check the parade Facebook site for more information. It happens 2 to 4 p.m.

Lisa Ching and her family created the park in memory of her son Alex. And it has been a popular spot since its opening in 2021 - with an equally popular "Howl'oween" Parade.

It was a "ruff call," Lisa Ching said, but Saturday weather was just not cooperating.

The parade is becoming a community tradition involving students, businesses and officials in town - and lots of dogs. There were at least 75 in the parade last year, and this year even more might be on parade, Ching said.

The park is partnering with Holmdel High School and William R. Satz Middle School Animal Welfare Club members to collect new dog toys and treats to benefit local shelters and rescues, Ching said.

Collection bins have already been up at the schools, so she said she expects a lot of donations to area shelters.

There will also be animal-related vendors, photo-ops, free raffles, corn hole games and face painting. Local businesses will participate, such as a doggy day care and other vendors.

"It's a way to include everyone in our community," Ching said.

Then there is the judging.

In past years, a popular vote named the winners, but now several judges have a serious responsibility ahead.

"This year we are honored, and especially excited, to have a panel of 'wonderwoof-ful' judges to determine the winners of the costume contest," Ching joked.

Look for judges Holmdel Mayor DJ Luccarelli; Barbara Kovelesky, Holmdel Township Director of Purchasing/Grant Coordinator; Jessica Riley Trischitta, Holmdel First Aid Squad; Chelsea Crowley, Holmdel High School Teacher/Animal Welfare Club Advisor; and Ethan Ching, a Ching family representative.

The costume categories are: Best Overall, Funniest, Most Creative, and Best Family Group.

This connection to the community is what the Ching family had in mind when they approached the township in 2019 with a request to pay tribute to Alex's memory by construction of Alex's Paw Park. Alex, who died in 2018 at 24, was very active in the community and the park has continued that legacy, Lisa Ching has said.

She said those who want to join the parade just need to come by, but there is also a Facebook site you can go to for more details: Howl'oween at Alex's Paw Park.

The parade is Sunday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.