The competition was ruff.
Costumed pets and owners descended on Deno’s Wonder Wheel in Coney Island on June 12 to compete in a costume contest for a season pass to the world-famous Ferris wheel. The winning human plans to get a lot of mileage out of her pass and intends to give all her friends and family a spin, she said.
“I can’t wait to go back — I can only bring one person at a time so I’m going to rotate my friends and family,” said costume contest champion Joanna Psonis, who dressed as the tooth fairy with pug Calypso.
The pair beat two-dozen other teams — including woman and her pet turtle — for the top prize in the contest, which also included a $150 gift card to Petco.
The competition was tough, Psonis said, but everyone who dolled up for the crowd got to have a bit of fun afterwards — contestants and their pets got to take free rides on the Wonder Wheel until 7 pm.
Psonis and Calypso took a victory spin on the 96-year-old ride and then celebrated with a dance party on the Boardwalk — a favorite activity of theirs on the many summer days they spend in Coney Island.
The judges were Councilman Mark Treyger (D–Coney Island), New York Times pet columnist Andy Newman, and Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park co-owner Diane Vourderis. As in years past, the entrance fee — two cans of dog or cat food — went to Windsor Terrace no-kill shelter Sean Casey Animal Rescue.
