Community members dressed their dogs in a variety of costumes. | LIZ DEPROSPO
“Boos” became “barks” this Halloween at Kenyon. On Oct. 31, Epsilon Delta Mu (EDM) hosted its biannual Dog Parade on Middle Path from downtown Gambier to the steps of Rosse Hall. For the third consecutive Halloween, faculty, staff and community members paraded 43 costumed canines to raise money for the Dogs of Knox Fund, which financially supports the care of dogs in the Knox County Animal Shelter. The parade bisected the Office of Alumni and Parent Engagement Middle Path Trick-or-Treat to attract large numbers of students.
In the weeks leading up to the parade, EDM sold candy and dog treats to raise funds for the event and sent emails to the community and owners of campus-favorite canines to encourage individuals to register their pets. The parade raised money for Dogs of Knox, according to EDM Community Service Chair Molly Hunt ’27, and the sorority invited Bethanne Fowler, who is involved with the Knox Animal Shelter, to give a speech about the shelter’s work.
In the past, the event has been a philanthropic success. “Last semester we raised enough money to pay for a dog’s surgery,” Hunt said. “We hope to be able to fund those important and meaningful projects to help the dogs.”
In terms of the event’s main attraction, this year’s parade featured an adjusted route: because parts of Middle Path were under construction, the dogs stopped at Rosse Hall instead of walking all the way to Old Kenyon Residence Hall.
The re-route was no issue for the dozens of dogs who participated in the parade; many of them enjoyed meeting students. Shortly before the parade’s kick-off, a large group of students pet and played with the dogs, who were patiently waiting in front of the Kenyon bookstore for the parade to begin.
The dogs proceeded along Middle Path in front of an audience of students who were already attending the Trick-or-Treat event. After reaching Rosse, the dogs were evaluated by a panel of faculty and staff judges. Seven different awards were distributed to the costumed canines. Highlights included Opal — owned by Elle McCune ’26 — winning best costume, Auggie — owned by Senior Assistant Director of Admissions Matt McPherson — winning best bark, and Milo — owned by President Julie Kornfeld and Fred Silverman — winning best smile.
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