SeeCalifornia.com

Photo credits:  Samuel Lippke – 2 couture pets; Chato, Dog Driver – Marcia; 2 dogs – Melissa Hammonds; Father Time, Spider, Indian – Burke Doeren and Kellie Henika

BELMONT SHORE, CALIF. — Dogs dressed as spiders, drivers, horses, lambs, lions, clowns, ballerinas, society’s finest and just about anything you can imagine strut their stuff each year near the shores of Belmont Shore, a community in Long Beach, Calif.  With over 500 animals in costume and thousands of spectators, the event is billed as the biggest such event in the world!  Now in its 12th season in 2012, it takes place on Sunday, October Oct. 28, at 2:25 p.m. The start/finish is at Livingston Park, 4900 E. Livingston Dr. (at Park Ave.) Vendors and pet adoptions showcase products and lovable pets from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Costumed kids and adults without dogs will lead the parade at 2:25 p.m., followed by the dogs with their pet people at 2:30 p.m. The parade should last approx. 1 hour. Registration fee to enter the parade is around $10. Online at: hautedogs.org   Bring your own chair or rent one for $5, starting at about 1 p.m. The seats did sell out last year.  See more annual dog events.