By the time the sun broke through on Saturday, there were sailors, peapods, skunks, princesses, fancy pink or red dresses, chef’s whites, Sweetheart candies, rhinestone sunglasses, heart-shaped bandannas, Victorian gowns, Argyle sweaters, a variety of hats, tutus,  and an outfit made of balloons interspersed with characters wearing nothing but collars. 

It was the inaugural Valentine’s Paws on Parade and Block Party on Mainstreet at Midtown in Palm Beach Gardens, and the costumed characters were all dogs vying for prizes like “Best Valentine Costume,” “Best Non-Valentine Costume,” “Best Dog & Owner Lookalike,” and our own Best in Show, “Cupid” and “Venus.”

We’ve been so busy working with Belle Forino, Midtown’s Marketing Coordinator, on this and Midtown’s third annual free concert series, Music on the Plaza, that we haven’t had time to announce that we’re now Midtown’s agency of record.

The Valentine Paws on Parade costume contest and Mainstreet at Midtown Block Party celebrated all things canine to benefit Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary & Hospital. The judges were Kool 105.5’s Mo & Sally, long-time supporters of Safe Harbor.

The event was designed for the entire family (that’s children of the two- and four-legged variety),  including a Kid’s Corner with face painting, McGruff the Crime Fighting Dog, and their own DJ; dozens of dog-friendly vendors; Safe Harbor Animal Activities: obedience class, on-site adoption, pet psychic, pet portraits, dog tricks; rabies vaccinations; food; live entertainment by OFF THE RECORD, The ROWDY ROOSTERS, and DJ MICHAEL BONICK; and more. The event and parking were both free. It was an opportunity for people to come out and support the community and Safe Harbor, celebrate Valentines with their canines, and have a barking good time.

It worked.