Crowds gather for 35th Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade amid car incident

2025, October 20

United States

The 35th annual Tompkins Square Halloween Dog Parade took place from 1–4 p.m. New York time (17:00–20:00 UTC) on Sunday, October 19. People wanting to march with their dogs in the parade were required to sign up in advance and check in at the event.

At 3 p.m. New York time (19:00 UTC), a car started to drive between Avenues B and A on 10th Street, going East through the crowds. The car, which had taxi and limousine commision plates, honked while driving down the street, trying to make its way through a crowded street full of pedestrians, dogs, strollers, and children. Angry onlookers confronted the driver, who seemed unaffected by the situation and eventually squeezed his car past a police vehicle blocking the exit onto Avenue A. No police intervened.

There were crowds and dogs on several streets in the area, including 13th Street between Avenues A and B, 10th Street between Avenues A and B, and 6th Street between Avenues A and C. Dogs were also in the park itself. The streets were sectioned off for the parade to march in the center, with viewers to either side.

On and near 6th Street, there were a few prepared stalls for dog activities - a red carpet style display for dogs to pose on, a photographer offering photos of dogs. A dog named Izzy was very reluctant to pose for a photo and kept walking off the staging area. Also in attendance was Tofu, a dog purportedly running for president.