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<\/p>\n\n\n\nOlivia Sayer<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Two dogs pose in their costumes for a photo at Boo-le-Bark on the Boulevard during a previous event in the historic Boulevard neighborhood. The annual event raises money for Athens Pets. (Photo Courtesy\/Clowder Creek Photography).<\/sub><\/p>\n\n\n\n Boo-le-Bark on the Boulevard<\/a>, an event showcasing the dogs of Athens, will take place Oct. 15 at the historic Boulevard neighborhood to raise money for Athens Pets.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Started in 2016<\/a>, Boo-le-Bark provides an opportunity for residents of Athens to gather around, enjoy the fall weather, and watch the city\u2019s furry friends prance around the pristine neighborhood in decorative costumes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meredith Drury, whose Jack Russell Terrier mix was crowned the winner of a costume contest last year<\/a>, said the event embodies a sense of community.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWalking down the street and seeing like hundreds of people was really sweet,\u201d Drury said. \u201cAnd the fact that there were, you know, little kids to older folks, just everybody together was really sweet.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The aforementioned costume contest will kick off the event at 3:45 p.m. Spectators will be given the chance to marvel at the creative, and sometimes hilarious, costumes put together by the dogs\u2019 respective owners. Although the theme this year is \u201cShoot for the Stars,\u201d costumes can range anywhere from popular television show characters to a loaf of bread. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI’m always so impressed every year with the costumes that people come up with\u2014 and it’s not even just the dogs\u2019 costumes,\u201d parade committee chair Ashley Short said. \u201cBut there’s the dog and human costumes that all go together.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Following the costume contest will be a parade at 4:15 p.m, with the route starting and finishing at Boulevard Woods Park. Numerous dogs will take to the streets to show off their exclusive costumes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Short said both events are free and open to the public, with those wishing to participate encouraged to register in advance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n All <\/em>of the proceeds from the event will go towards Athens Pets<\/a>, a volunteer organization on a mission to help animals and their owners in the Athens area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cOur goal every year was just to create a fun event for people in Athens to bring out their dog to get creative, dress him up and really just kind of celebrate fall and try and raise some money for Athens Pets,\u201d Short said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n