Downtown Day of the Dogs: Howl-O-Ween
The first ever Downtown Day of the Dogs: Howl-O-Ween event will take place Saturday, October 26 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at various downtown locations. The event offers a designated time where local dog owners are invited to dress up their dogs and stop by downtown businesses for a dog friendly trick-or-treat-like event. This is the first ever Downtown Day of the Dogs, and treats and giveaways will be available at various locations while supplies last.
This event is coordinated by the Downtown Billings Alliance (DBA) in collaboration with a number of local businesses including The Joy of Living, Black Dog Coffee, Century 21 Hometown Brokers, and Miranda Murdock Photography. The DBA is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to advocate for a vibrant and safe downtown.
Dogs and their humans are encouraged to start their Howl-O-Ween fun at the DBA Office, located at 116 N. 29th St suite A, to pick up a Howl-O-Ween goodie bag and a guide to all the stops. Miranda Murdock Photography will be set up at the DBA office to take $25 Howl-O-Ween photos for a cause. All photo proceeds will go to the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter and include a digital emailed print from Miranda Murdock Photography.
The Joy of Living & Black Dog Coffee will have can't-miss giveaways at the downtown Joy of Living location, 102 N. Broadway. All owners are encouraged to enter their dog into the Canine Costume Contest at the Century 21 Hometown Brokers downtown location, 2715 1st Ave. N.
The contest is free to enter. Public voting will take place on Downtown Billings’ Facebook page Monday, October 28 through 5:00pm Wednesday, October 30. The first and second place winners of the Canine Costume Contest will be announced on Thursday, October 31. First place winner wins a 2020 Downtown Billings Ally card and $50 Downtown Gift Card. Winners will be contacted via email.
Please check the event page at downtownbillings.com the week of the event for the most up to date list of participating locations. Current participating downtown locations include:
Downtown Billings Alliance - 116 N. 29th St.
Brockels Chocolates - 117 N. 29th St.
The Joy of Living - 102 N. Broadway
Century 21 Hometown Brokers - 2715 1st Ave N.
Thirsty Street Brewing Co. - 3008 1st Ave N.
Pet owners are responsible for the behavior of their pets and are reminded to leave all dogs in heat or those who show dog-aggression safe at home. The rest of the rover rules include making sure dogs are leashed at all times (no exceptions) and to keep all pups on the sidewalk. Because most businesses do not allow dogs inside due to health codes and safety precautions, pet owners are asked to be courteous to participating businesses and verify they can enter with their pet before doing so. Additionally, all pet owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pet. Baggies are available at the two mini dog parks located on N. 29th and N, 2nd Ave.
This Day of the Dogs: Howl-O-Ween event is a continuation of the DBAs recent efforts to enhance the pet friendliness of downtown. The DBA began efforts in August of this year by first working with the Yellowstone Valley Animal Shelter to host the “Dog Days of Summer” promotion. That promotion brought adoptable pets from the shelter downtown one afternoon a week. Since, the Business Improvement District (BID), an arm of the DBA that focuses on cleanliness and safety of downtown, has installed two pet-friendly fire hydrants and AstroTurf in empty tree wells and doggie bag dispensers. BID director, Joe Stout, lead on the installation of the new pet-friendly downtown amenities, worked closely ToadNWillow, who painted the decommissioned City of Billings fire hydrants, and J.W. Synthetic Grass who provided the realistic-looking astro turf.
Dates and Times
- Saturday, October 26, 2019 – 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
