This Sunday, Bay View lets the dogs out. "Dog Day Afternoon," billed as a blessing, walk and fun day for dogs and dog owners, parades down Kinnickinnic Avenue for the fifth year in a row.

Created by Bill Rouleau and Dan Duchaine of Bay View's Rush-Mor Records, "Dog Day Afternoon" brings together dogs and dog owners from all over the city for a day of canine fun and resident relaxation.

"Probably the coolest thing we do, in my opinion, is hold a raffle at the end of the event. If your number is chosen, your dog gets to be the dog on next year's poster," Rouleau says. "Last years winners were Waffles and Pablo, a couple of troublemaking Bichon Frises.

The canine costume contest typically showcases owner creativity, encouraging owners to dress their pups in imaginative attire and carefully consider pleasing the crowd. Rouleau plans three costume categories and recruited local judges including Jen Lada of WITI, Sarah Jonas of Café Lulu and Andy Tarnoff of OnMilwaukee.com.

"Last year we did notice a disturbing trend of many dogs dressed as pimps and hookers," Rouleau explains. "We didn't know quite how to take that."

Assuredly not a stringent beauty pageant, the day's costume contest adds a bit of friendly rivalry to a good time with fellow neighbors and pet lovers.

"It's all about social networking and reaching across the aisle to work with other breeds," Rouleau jokes. "In reality, though, it's just a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon and get to know your neighbors and your neighbor's dog. Not sure if the blessing works or not but we do wish all of our canine friends long and happy and fruitful lives with their owners."

Here's a schedule for Sunday's activities:

Noon -- Meet at Cataldo's Bay View Post, 2860 S. Kinnikinnic Ave.
12:30 p.m. -- Parade up Kinnickinnic Avenue to Immaculate Conception Church
1 p.m. -- Blessing of the Dogs with Father Tom
1:20 p.m. -- Pup cups of custard for the dogs from Bella's Fat Cat
1:30 p.m. -- March back on Kinnickinnic Ave. to Cataldo's Bay View Post
2 p.m. -- Doggy Costume Contest judging