31 Oct Furry Friends Pet Relief Hosts Halloween Fundraiser in Antioch
Mutts Hank and Ernie head from their costume contest to the pin-up girl competition in their holiday getups on Saturday in Antioch.
Story and photos by Joe Porrello
Residents gathered for a Halloween celebration featuring multiple contests on a picture perfect day on Saturday in Antioch.
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- Ghostface doesn’t waste any time grabbing some candy after seeing the bowl refilled.
Holding the fundraising event was Furry Friends Pet Relief, a nonprofit that helps people in need take care of their animals.
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- Rescue pitbull mix Fred soaks in his victory for cutest costume.
FFPR began holding the event, now in its ninth year, as a festive car show competition, but Saturday’s version additionally featured costume contests for kids, dogs and people dressed as vintage pin-up girls.
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- Senorita Adelita wins the queen’s crown in the vintage pin-up girl contest. The competition is held by the Victory Bombshells, who volunteer at fundraising events; the group had its fourth go-round at the Halloween event this year.
“It’s kind of grown throughout the years, but there’s always over 100 cars,” said Furry Friends founder Erin Pina. “It’s great. Things move pretty seamlessly now.”
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- A dog at Saturday’s event decides they found their vendor of choice: a dog bakery.
People could register their cars for competition for $30 online or in-person for $35 and vendors rented booths to sell their products and services. All the proceeds went toward the goal of lessening animal shelter overpopulation.
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- All sorts of automobiles from modern muscle cars to classic cruisers were on display at Saturday’s event; there was even a 1951 milk truck and a vintage mail delivery car.
Fifteen trophies were handed out for different categories of the Hot Rods 4 Paws car contest, including best in show, people’s choice and best decorated trunk.
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- Each category of the car competition had its own trophy, with the one on the left going to the best decorated car.
The event also featured a trunk-or-treat for children, with most cars in the competition having candy bowls; employees of businesses on West 2nd Street were outside giving out Halloween treats as well.
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- Some car show contestants handed out candy themselves instead of leaving a bowl in their trunk or on the ground.
Car show contestant Ken Lewis has been a part of the event before, and said its new location in downtown Rivertown is an upgrade from the previous location in a shopping center parking lot.
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- Spiders set up shop on a classic car, perhaps looking to hitch a ride to that freighter.
Cars in the contest were rated on a scale of 1-10 for different criteria like cleanliness of the body and engine, interior and overall presentation.
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- Skeletons going for a ride were a common sight in the car contest.
Troy Schennek has been attending car shows for 30 years, but Saturday was his first time being one of five judges for the competition.
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- Most cars in the competition were adorned with Halloween decorations.
“I think it’s a great event and great for the local area. I mean look at all the people: They’re all over the place,” he said. “It’s a good cause, and who doesn’t love dogs and cats?”
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- Maltipoo Littlebit was ready to party on Saturday, win or lose in the competition.
FFPR offers low-cost spay and neutering, vaccinations, dental work, and basic medical care; its services are free to veterans and unhoused people. Leashes, collars and bedding can also be provided by FFPR to those who cannot afford them.
Car show contestant Michael Simpson said more similar events should be held locally to raise funds and for community enjoyment, and that car shows are a good way to start a passion for children.
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- A child and his mother enjoy the festivities as they start to fill their Halloween candy buckets.
Lewis said he uses his car as a project to work on with his son — who is now into hot rods himself — and that he’s looking forward to coming back next year.
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- Ken Lewis, not pictured, hoped to win the pre-1949 category with his 1947 Ford that he’s owned for 25 years and brought to numerous car shows and trunk-or-treats. “It’s kind of fun to decorate the car up and not really worry about making it perfect like I usually do,” he said.
Pina said she’s excited for the 10th installment.
“We’re thinking of other things we can do to make it bigger and better,” she said.
FFPR is always in need of volunteers and donations, and has an Amazon wishlist on its website for those looking to get involved.
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- Rescue husky Aurora strolls around the event showing off her Halloween costume.
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