PHOTOS: Maplewood Dogs Win Awards In Essex County Halloween Costume Contest

They all thought that they had the best costume idea in Essex County for their doggies this Halloween.

Now they’ve got official proof.

On Monday, Essex County officials announced the winners of the Annual Essex County Strut Your Mutt Canine Costume Parade and Contest, held on Oct. 24.

This year, the doggie costume contest was held at two county-owned dog parks: Brookdale Park and South Mountain.

“Our dog parks have become popular places for owners to bring their pets,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. stated. “I am always amazed and impressed with the creativity of the costumes… Congratulations to the winners.”

BROOKDALE PARK

Award winners at the Essex County Brookdale Dog Park Contest included:

• Best in Show: Vanessa Montesano from Clifton and her pet Lunchbox who was dressed as a smart shopper and pushed a shopping cart.
• Scariest Costume: First place: Jai Lee Wexler from Clifton who was dressed as Maleficent and her pet Chanel who was dressed as Princess Aurora from “Sleeping Beauty.” Second place: Lauren Zodel from Montclair and her pet Frankie who was dressed as a crocodile. Third place: Noreen Fitzsimons from Nutley and her pet Bailey who was dressed as a spider.
• Most Creative Costume: First place: Regina Mahon from Bayonne and her pet Gizmo who was dressed as a sheriff riding a horse. Second place: Marijoy Tibay from Montclair and her pet Lucy who was dressed as a rainbow fish. Third place: Dana Borzomati from Upper Montclair and her pet Abby who was dressed as Batman and rode in a motorized Batmobile.
• Couple Costume: First place: Joe Kavesh from Montclair, his pet Vader and several friends who dressed as the Joker and other villains from Batman. Second place: Jean Dabrowski and her family from Montclair and their pet who dressed as characters from “Star Wars.” Third place: Fanny Chin from Bloomfield who dressed as a Kikkoman soy sauce bottle and her pets Lexi, Gyro and Shadow who dressed as sushi rolls.

SOUTH MOUNTAIN

Award winners at the Essex County South Mountain Dog Park Contest included:

• Best in Show: Kelly Cuykendall from Woodbridge, her pet Simon and her friends who dressed as Snoopy and members of the Peanuts gang.
• Scariest Costume: First place: Rebecca Wilkening from Maplewood and her pet Pepper who dressed as a devil. Second place: Mary Morris from East Hanover and her pet Axle who dressed as a dragon. Third place: Caitlin McDonough from Verona and her pet who dressed as a skunk.
• Most Creative Costume: First place: Nila Schomfield from Maplewood and her pet Georgia who dressed as Pocahontas and John Smith. Second place: Pete Lionetti and his pets who dressed as Little Red Riding Hood and Grandma. Third place: Joyce Alilio from West Orange and her pet Chip who dressed as a Beanie Baby doll.
• Couple Costume: First place: Matt Greller and his family from Millburn and their pets Angus and Clyde who dressed as Minions and bananas. Second place: DJ Meisch from Nutley, his pet Lucky and friends who dressed as characters from “The Wizard of Oz.” Third place: Tracie Koehnlein from West Orange and her pet Stella who dressed as Ozzie Osbourne and a bat.

Photos courtesy of Essex County/ Glen Frieson