Tipper Turner and her background singers, top, won this year's grand prize for best theme. Charlotte the pig won most exotic costume

October 29, 1999
Web posted at: 3:27 p.m. EDT (1927 GMT)

KEY WEST, Florida (CNN) -- A dog dressed as a spider, a pig dressed as a devil, a terrier in scuba gear -- they were all part of the Halloween festivities in Key West, Florida.

The Fantasy Fest Pet Masquerade and Parade drew thousands of spectators on Wednesday night, part of a festival that runs through the end of October. Dozens of contestants, including dogs and pot bellied pigs, competed with their owners for prizes.

A dog named Tipper Turner -- along with her eight background Singers -- won grand prize for best theme with their version of The Tina Turner hit "Proud Mary."

Another dog, Minnah, and her owner came as '50s style Leather-clad motorcycle riders.

"She rides with my wife. She wears the leathers and the goggles for protection," Minnah's owner said.

The theme for this year's festival was "www.warptime.net." Humans and animals were encouraged to dress in period costumes.

A woman named Vicki and her terrier-collie mix won the best look alike contest for their costume, a take-off of the old Saturday Night Live TV show's cone heads skit.

VIDEO CNN's John Zarrella takes you to the pet masquerade. Windows Media 28K 80K

A pot bellied pig named Charlotte dressed as a devil. Charlotte, the Susan Lucci of the pet masquerade after years as the favorite with no trophy, finally brought home the bacon, winning first prize for most exotic costume.

One man dressed his 10-month-old Australian cattle dog as a black widow spider. He wore a web -- perhaps their own takeoff on the "webbed" theme for the event.

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