By Catalina Gonella, September 28, 2023
“Woof. The organizer of the annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade has called off the event after a ruff time trying to cover all the administrative costs.
“PARADE HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE,” the website for the dog run reads atop the homepage. For what would have been its 33rd annual puppy parade, organizers told Gothamist that planning logistics for the event had gotten out of hand.
Joseph Borduin, who has organized the beloved event for the last four years, said he withdrew the necessary street closure applications Tuesday evening after spending weeks trying to sort out nearly $50,000 in permitting and insurance costs for the event in coordination with City Councilmember Carlina Rivera’s office and several city agencies.
“I’m done. I do not work like this,” Borduin said in an interview while recalling the bureaucratic back-and-forth with various agencies that ultimately sank the annual canine competition. “This is the most unorganized and craziest thing I’ve ever tried to do.”