By MADDY VITALE

There were bride and groom, cowboys, lions, postmen, an octopus, bumblebees and even a kissing stall.

Yes, Saturday the Ocean City Boardwalk had them all. Dogs dressed in Halloween costumes for the Humane Society of Ocean City’s first-ever Howl-O-Ween Parade walked, zigzagged, jogged, and made friends.

And there were a lot of dogs – over 200, showing what made each one special.

There were the sausage dogs – or dachshunds as they probably would like to be called.

Small dachshunds shared the limelight with Chihuahuas and other tiny breeds.

They paraded the promenade with their much larger canine counterparts, including Bernese Mountain Dogs, Greyhounds, German Shepherds, Dobermans, Pit Bull mixes, Labradors and a host of “designer breeds”.

Dogs are not allowed on the walk every other day of the year. But Saturday was an exception enthusiastically greeted by dog ​​lovers.

“It’s so nice to see all the dogs on the walk,” said Chris Cowperthwait of Vineland as his dog, Brody, dressed as an octopus, made canine friends. “It’s really wonderful to see everyone come out with their dogs fully dressed. It’s funny.”

The costume contest, which started at 3 p.m., was only part of the extravagance. Saturday was indeed a “doggy afternoon” and a morning too. Dogs on a leash were allowed on the promenade from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Laurie Paolillo, from West Deptford, brought her Bernese Mountain Dog, River, dressed in a lion’s mane. He was accompanied by other bouviers du Bouvier Bernois.

“He’s having a good time,” Paolillo said. “They all are.”

Wendy Mondelli, from County Gloucester, dressed her dog, Lily, as a bride. Mondelli’s friend Vickie Corbitt, also from Gloucester County, dressed her dog, King, as a groom.

“They love each other,” Mondelli said with a laugh.

Some dog owners, like Shari Murray of Mullica Township, had inventive costumes. She dressed her dachshund Trixie as an “armadillo”, a mixture of armadillo and dog.

In addition to the parade, there were a host of dog vendors at the Ocean City Music Pier, photo stations, and the Humane Society’s announcement of ‘Pet of the Year’. Ocean City.

There was also a check remittance to HSOC.

Ocean City Councilor Jody Levchuk and his brother Randy Levchuk, co-owners of Jilly’s stores in town and on the boardwalk, in partnership with Puppie Love, donated $ 5,000 to HSOC.

“We love animals. The HSOC is doing a great job, ”said Jody Levchuk. “We are happy to help in any way we can.”

“Puppie Love donates the profits to the animals and we sell their products in the store,” he added. “By selling their brand, we were able to give the check to HSOC. “

In another donation, Republic Bank gave $ 3,000 to HSOC. Republic is preparing to open a new bank in Ocean City.

“There is just something about dogs. They bring people together, ”Republic Bank chairman Vernon Hill said as he held his dog, Sir Duffy.

Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian called the event a “great new family tradition.”

“Today is amazing,” said Gillian. “It’s a great success. I can see that the public is really enjoying taking their dogs out today.

Gillian noted that allowing dogs on the walk at certain times may be a possibility in the future.