Costumes, candy and canine companions kick off Halloween at The Living Desert

PALM DESERT, Calif. (KESQ) — Halloween celebrations are getting an early start at The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, with dogs joining their humans for a day of costumes and treats.

The zoo’s first Dog Day Halloween celebration, “Pups & Pumpkins,” takes place Friday, Oct. 30, beginning at 9 a.m.

A costume parade led by Mayor Max is scheduled for 10 a.m., followed by a costume contest. Trick-or-treat stations offer treats for dogs and their humans as they explore the zoo.

The celebration gives visitors a chance to include their four-legged companions in the holiday while seeing the zoo’s more than 600 animals.

With Halloween on Saturday, the event also offers an early opportunity to dress up and celebrate. The cost of candy and costumes, along with finding a comfortable place to enjoy the holiday, can factor into how people make their plans.

News Channel 3 is exploring how people across the Coachella Valley are celebrating this year, from bringing a dog along for its first Halloween to balancing holiday spending and safety.