SALEM, S.C. — Salem’s last Downtown Market night of the season was a huge success with a fun Halloween pet parade that brought the community together.
About 15 furry friends strutted down Main Street, delighting onlookers with their creative costumes.
The parade was a colorful spectacle, featuring dragons, dinosaurs, and even puppies dressed as prisoners. Participants included Mayor Glenda Blindert’s granddaughter Eva, the City Dog, who dressed up as a squirrel and proudly participated in the Squirrel Patrol.
For a creative twist, Blindart spray-painted colorful stripes on Eva’s back.
“It’s a little dirty,” Blindart said, pointing to his slightly soiled slacks. “I hope it washes out as expected.”
As the excitement of the parade builds, Teresa Robbins and her sons, Hunter and Ryken, and their German wirehaired pointer Misty wow the crowd in their dinosaur costumes and take first place.
The family has a tradition of dressing up their dogs for Halloween, and this year was no exception.
“They’re fine with the costumes. I think the excitement makes them feel comfortable,” Robbins said.
Abel Gessner and his dog Taco took second place in Salem’s Halloween Pet Parade on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
Jennifer Leiter / Mitchell Republic
Taco, a dachshund-chihuahua mix, took second place wearing a Taco costume that perfectly reflected his name.
“Taco is a Wiener, so the kids wanted hot dog costumes,” owner Ampo Lamont said with a laugh.
Perhaps the youngest participant was Copper, a 9-week-old Havapoo, full of youthful energy and cuteness.
Lyla Doan and her new puppy Copper participate in Salem’s Halloween Pet Parade on Tuesday, Oct. 1, 2024.
Jennifer Leiter / Mitchell Republic
The Salem Chamber of Commerce last year started a monthly downtown market on Main Street from its previous location in a city park.
The Halloween Pet Parade was the first of its kind hosted by the Salem Chamber of Commerce.
“It was great to see so many pets and their owners come together to have a fun summer,” Blindert said.
1/11: Salem residents walk down Main Street with their dogs during the Halloween Pet Parade on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Jennifer Leiter / Mitchell Republic
2/11: Salem residents walk down Main Street with their dogs during the Halloween Pet Parade on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Jennifer Leiter / Mitchell Republic
3/11: Salem residents walk down Main Street with their dogs during the Halloween Pet Parade on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Jennifer Leiter / Mitchell Republic
4/11: Salem residents walk down Main Street with their dogs during the Halloween Pet Parade on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Jennifer Leiter/Mitchell Republic
5/11: Salem residents walk down Main Street with their dogs during the Halloween Pet Parade on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Jennifer Leiter/Mitchell Republic
6/11: Salem residents walk their dogs along Main Street during the Halloween Pet Parade on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Jennifer Leiter/Mitchell Republic
7/11: Salem residents walk their dogs along Main Street during the Halloween Pet Parade on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Jennifer Leiter / Mitchell Republic
8/11: Salem residents walk their dogs along Main Street during the Halloween Pet Parade on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Jennifer Leiter/Mitchell Republic
9/11: Salem residents walk their dogs along Main Street during the Halloween Pet Parade on Tuesday, October 1, 2024. Jennifer Leiter/Mitchell Republic
10/11: Hunter and Ryken Robbins hang out with their dogs after Salem’s Halloween Pet Parade on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. Their dog Misty won first place in the costume contest. Submitted photo
11/11: Misty, a German wirehaired pointer, won first place in the parade’s costume contest. Submitted photo
Jennifer Reiter joined Mitchell Republic in April 2024. She grew up in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and attended Lincoln High School. She continued her education at South Dakota State University, graduating in December 2000 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. While in college, Reiter worked as a reporter for the campus newspaper, The Collegian. In the summer of 2000, she also interned at Anderson Publishing in Canistota, South Dakota. After graduation, the writer continued to live in the Sioux Falls area and worked for many years as a freelance writer for the Argus Leader.
/Jennifer Leather
