Dogs and people get into costume at Sarasota Farmers Market | Your Observer
Dogs and people get into costume at Sarasota Farmers Market
- ByIan Swaby
- | 3:00 p.m. October 31, <a href="https://bitcomme.com/the-ultimate-guide-for-2026/” title=”The Ultimate Guide for 2026″>2026
- Sarasota
- Neighbors
The Wightman family have been taking their new dog Tucker to the dog bar and the Sarasota Farmers Market every week.
The natural next step for him was to visit the Dog-A-Ween costume contest at the market on Halloween.
Tucker was dressed as Rex from “Toy Story,” part of a larger theme with a group of eight, and a bout of rain didn’t deter their enjoyment, said Cory Wightman, who participated with his wife Lisa Wightman and son Thales Wightman, 2.
The colorful event, hosted each year by the Sarasota Downtown Merchants Association, supports the shelter Donte’s Den in Myakka City. The animal sanctuary and hospital provides boarding, extended care and adoptions.
Marianna Corazza, who came wth her dog, Phoebe, also called the event a “meaningful connection with your companion dog.”
As she accompanied Phoebe, a certified therapy dog, with a tooth fairy theme, she emphasized she not only enjoyed visiting schools and nursing homes with Phoebe, but that she was a great diver and swimmer as well.
She emphasized relationships with pets were about connection.
“It’s not a pet, it’s a companion,” she said.
The grand prize went to Madi Sparks and Ocean Wolf, who created a candy-themed display with their three dogs Buster, Bagel and Pepper.
Kelly and Rafael Monedero with their dog Marley in a “Star Wars”-themed group costume, came in second, and third place went to Shea Yates dressed as a jug of milk, with her dog Wembley as the Frosted Flakes mascot Tony the Tiger.
