Dog-A-Ween costume contest returns to downtown Sarasota for 18th year

SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) - Get those Halloween costumes ready for the dogs.The 18th annual Dog-A-Ween Costume Contest and Parade returns to downtown Sarasota on Saturday, Oct. 31, giving four-legged friends a chance to show off their best Halloween looks while raising money for Donte’s Den Foundation.Darci Jacob of Darci’s Boutique and event coordinator Tyler Butler, with Out About with Tyler Butler, joined ABC7 News at Noon and the ABC7 1 p.m. streaming newscast to talk about the longtime Sarasota tradition and how people can participate.The event will be held at the Sarasota Farmers Market. Check-in runs from 9 to 9:45 a.m. on Lemon Avenue, with the parade beginning at 10 a.m.Dogs and their owners will make their way to Paul Thorpe Park, located at 135 S. Pineapple Ave.Registration is $15 per dog, with proceeds benefiting Donte’s Den Foundation.ABC7’s Bob Harrigan and Sarasota City Commissioner Jen Ahearn-Koch will serve as judges, along with a third mystery judge who will be announce