A Doggone Red Bank Halloween Parade

By Elaine Van Develde

Red Bank is going to the dogs — again.

After having seen the howling success of the first Dog Days of Summer on Monmouth Street, Mayor Pat Menna, after consulting with Parks and Recreation council liaison, Juanita Lewis, has decided that it would be a great idea to have a "canine contingent" represent in the borough's annual Halloween parade.

"I have to admit that I was a little skeptical when the mayor first brought up the idea of Dog Days," Lewis said at Monday night's Borough Council meeting. "I thought we might end up with dogs barking and fighting with one another. But they were all so well-behaved. It worked out really well."

Given that success, Lewis said she's on board to help organize the marching canine category in the parade slated for Oct. 20.

"We'll have age categories for the dogs … age, including seniors, costumes, etc. … and the 'best in' each," Menna said.

Whether or not the dogs behave in the parade setting, as opposed to hanging out on Monmouth Street, is another matter that officials are willing to chance. Though, they are confident it will work out well.

"Forget about the dogs behaving, the owners are the ones who will probably be fighting over the prizes," Councilwoman Sharon Lee joked.

All joking aside, Menna pointed out that in addition to it being a "cool" thing to do, the Dog Days of Summer event accomplished something for the greater good of the borough's economy, which part of the impetus for its creation.

With the event held on characteristically slow Tuesday evenings at the end of each month, a business boost for those who stayed open was the goal.

On the first Dog Days at the end of July, that was accomplished, with
"businesses on Monmouth Street that were open during the event getting six to 10 times the business (they would normally bring in on a slow night)," Menna said. "Hopefully others will follow suit (and stay open during the coming events)."

The next Dog Days of Summer will be held on Aug. 27, then Sept. 24 and Oct. 29, which will be a Halloween Dog Days gala. The event is held from 6 to 9 p.m.