Canines and owners enjoys 'Doggy Trick-or-Treat' in Mundelein

Canines and their owners had the opportunity to enjoy an early Halloween celebration during the third annual Doggy Trick-or-Treat event, held in the parking lot of the Barefoot Bay water park in Mundelein Saturday.

Among the activities were a costume contest, 12 vendor booths, five doggy games, a photo booth and an obstacle course.

The event gave people and their dogs a chance to enjoy an outdoor event during the COVID-19 pandemic, said Kelli Schillaci, Mundelein Park Districts event planner/parties and cultural arts.

"What's so great about this event is people kind of already are socially distanced with the leashes," Schillaci said.

One of the nice things about the Doggy Trick-or-Treat is that it gives adults without children, as well as families the opportunity to enjoy a park district event, she said.

"A lot of events are for families with kids, but this gives those, maybe younger couples that just have a dog or older couples who don't have kids anymore, something to do for fall," Schillaci said.

One of the dogs at the event was "Harry Pawter," an 8-year old Yorkshire terrier belonging to Denise and Adrian Brigham of Streamwood, who was dressed as an astronaut riding in a space shuttle.

Adrian Brigham said Harry is a certified therapy dog who visits the elderly people in nursing homes and children in hospitals. Harry has 24 different costumes that he wears, and he has won 85 pet costume contests.