Wagging tails and creative costumes took center stage Sunday as four-legged friends strutted their stuff at the Chestnut Hill Community Association's Halloween Pet Parade.

The event drew record attendance as costumed canines and their owners marched down historic Germantown Avenue to Buckley Park, where judges faced the delightful challenge of selecting winners in four categories.

"This year was a smashing success," said Will Standish, CHCA membership and administration coordinator, who served as a judge. "I think we had more dogs than we've had in any of our prior pet parades."

Daisy, an Italian greyhound-dachshund mix, captured hearts and the "Cutest" category title with her charming French mime ensemble. The petite pooch was among dozens of contestants vying for top honors in categories including Scariest, Most Creative, and Look-alike with Owner.

Judge Heather Gray, CHCA's director of marketing and communications, praised the creativity on display while admitting the selection process wasn't easy.

"It's a real struggle because they're all the cutest," Gray said. "We're the winners for getting to see all those dogs."

The parade, which kicked off near the intersection of Evergreen and Germantown avenues, has become a beloved community tradition. According to Standish, this year's event showcased "some of the best costumes that we've had," setting a high bar for future celebrations.