PHOTOS: Decked-Out Pooches

Beneath a blazing, sunny sky, 39 dogs in costumes -- ranging from a sailor to a feathered chicken to the Hulk -- competed Saturday in Holy Spirit Catholic Church’s third annual Best Dressed Pooch Contest & Dog Parade in Fountain Valley.

The costumed canines showed off their duds to a crowd of more than 100 humans at the church.

Along with their owners, the dogs walked in a parade and pranced before the audience and three judges: City Councilman Michael Vo, Miss Fountain Valley Andrea Licata and Fr. Damian Giap of St. Michael’s Abbey.

At the end of the event, Malteses Sheraton and Herbie from the Antelope Valley won first place. The dogs wore jester costumes and rode in a Mardi Gras-festooned wagon.

As the first-place winners, the owners received $200.

Another Maltese, Bosco, received second place. Bosco wore a sailor’s hat and costume and was carried in a container decorated as a boat.

Bosco and his owners received a $100 gift certificate to Newport Beach’s Dog Park Inn.

Gunner, a Great Dane, placed third. Gunner resembled a zebra with ornate stripes on his fur that were spray-painted on with tape, his owner said.

Gunner received a $50 gift certificate for store.

All the dogs received prizes for their participation, and additional awards went to the youngest and oldest dogs, and the family which traveled the farthest to the event.

Carla Orozco, the music director for Holy Spirit Parish and entertainment coordinator for Taste of Holy Spirit, was excited by the turnout of the event.

“This is amazing, the outcome we got. How many dogs, 39 dogs? This is the most incredible turnout yet. I think everyone had fun,” Orozco said.

Orozco said she would love to have the event again next year and a bigger sponsor for the event.