Halloween comes alive in downtown Grass Valley Sunday afternoon, with the 12^th Annual Howl-O-Ween Dog Mob Parade. Although the registration period has ended, including for the contest, you’re still welcome to show up and walk your four-legged friend with the costumed participants. And over the years, the city’s Community Engagement Specialist, Miranda Bacon, says she’s seen a lot of imagination from owners, who are also usually dressed up…

And Bacon says there’s a new costume contest category, called Dolly Pawton, There’s also Most Grass Valley, Clever/Witty/Funny, and the Judge’s Choice award. This year, organizers are aiming for one-thousand dogs and she says no one ever thought it would be that wildly popular, when organizer Lauren Hayes, of PAWS’itive Pals Dog Training, first started the event…

Bacon says participants will meet at El Barrio Mexican Market, on Neal Street, Sunday afternoon at 3. The parade starts at 3:30, going down South Church Street and turning right on West Main Street, before heading down Mill Street. And it’s expected to last around 30 to 40 minutes. And near the end, Bacon says the Grass Valley Fire Department will also be there, setting off a siren that usually also leaves most of the dogs howling.