Mardi Gras is just around the corner! In cities across the US, pet parents can bring a bit of The Big Easy to their buddies that bark by celebrating the holiday at one of the many dog-friendly Mardi Gras festivals that will offer visitors a virtual gumbo of frivolity mixed with philanthropy.
Following are a few of the fetes where you and your four-legged party animal can let the good times roll and do a good deed for dogs and cats in need in the process. If there’s a Mardi Gras pet parade for a paws cause not listed, let us know in the comment section below!
Alabama
Carnegie Carnival Canines on Parade
From the intersection of Second Avenue and Johnston Street to Lee Street in Decatur
February 22, 2021
Get ready for a doggone good time in downtown Decatur as a plethora of partying pups promenade in apparel for a paws cause!
Proceeds from the event (which will include a canine costume contest) will benefit Morgan County Humane Society.
California
Doggie Gras
Embarcadero Marina Park North in San Diego
TBA
Taking steps toward a better tomorrow with every step they take, runners will pound the pavement in a 5K prior to a presentation of promenading pups decked out in purple, green and gold for the pet parade. Their effort might earn them the Best Dressed Pet or Best Doggie Gras float prize! Proceeds benefit the Helen Woodward Animal Center Adoptions Department.
Florida
Apalachicola Mardi Gras Barkus Parade
Riverfront Park, Apalachiola
February 22, 2021
Knowing that dogs rule, shelter pups are always chosen King and Queen of The Mystic Krewe of Salty Barkers’ annual parade.
Along with promenading pooches in festive apparel, the day of play (which this year will be celebrated with a “Surf Dogs USA” them) will also include tunes from local bands, dog agility demonstrations and vendor booths brimming with pet-related souvenirs.
A happening with heart, the parade will benefit the Forgotten Coast of Florida’s animals in need.
The Krewe of Amalee’s Mardi Gras Dog Parade and Festival
Woodland Boulevard, DeLand
Feb. 22, 2020
Join a throng 10,000 strong as you watch partying pups turn up the volume on the fun factor to eleven at this year’s Fido-ntric fete, which this year features a “Dogs Will Rock You!” theme.
Funds raised from the festival will benefit Deland’s art community, families in need and humane pet centers.
Mardi Gras Dog Parade
The Village of Baytowne Wharf at Sandestin
Feb. 23, 2020
Partying pups will be pulled in festooned mini-floats, golf carts and wagons as their people toss throws to a canine-loving crowd.
Photo: Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Pet Parade, Bossier City, Louisiana
Louisiana
Krewe of PAWS Mardi Gras Pet Parade
Parade starts at the 100 block of Commerce Street, Monroe
TBA
Step right up and watch as costume-clad canine circus performers wow the crowd during an “Under the Big Top”-themed parade! The annual fundraising event for PAWS of NE Louisiana will also include children’s games and vendor booths.
CAAWS Mystic Krewe of Mutts Parade
Along North Boulevard and Convention Street, Baton Rouge
Feb. 9, 2020
Raising funds for the Capital Animal Welfare Society’s spay/neuter program, reveling Rovers will bring back the Roaring 20s during a 20th anniversary celebration of the parade. The day of play will also include Bark in the Park complete with demonstrations, activities and shopping opportunities; a costume and float contest and an after pawty at the Raising Cane eatery, with the restaurant donating 15% of sales to CAAWS when a patron mentions the non-profit at the register on the day of the parade.
Krewe of Paws of Old Towne
Parade lines up on Ciruti Street, Slidell
Feb. 15, 2020
Costume-clad canines can enjoy a tribute to Carnival and help a paws case in the process, raising people’s spirits while raising funds for several area animal assistance groups.
Krewe du Pooch Parade and Costume Contest
February 29 (with a rain date of March 7)
Lakeshore Drive in Old Mandeville (with the costume contest taking place at the Pontchartrain Yacht Club)
Scoring a touchdown with fans of football and Fidos, the inaugural Krewe du Pooch Parade kicks off with a “Dress to the #9s theme salute to gridiron greats Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints and Joe Burrow of the LSU Tigers.
Giving dog lovers even more to cheer about, an array of adorable adoptables will get to paw-ty as they search for their forever pet parent, and proceeds from the event will benefit area animal welfare organizations.
Krewe des Chiens Parade for Dogs
West Vermilion Street in downtown Lafayette
February 15, 2021
Festive Fidos will file down the street in style during this annual demonstration of dogged devotion to Mardi Gras which helps the non-profit Krewe des Chiens aid animal assistance organizations in the Acadiana area throughout the year.
Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Pet Parade
2000 Reeves Marine Drive, Shreveport
February 9, 2021
Hounds can channel their inner hippie as a promenade down the parade route takes them on a time trip back to the sixties during Woofstock 21: A Mewsic Festival.
A day of play that will include costume contests, a car show, face painting and more, the event helps the area’s homeless, abandoned and abused animals.
Mystic Krewe of Barkus
Parade starts at Armstrong Park, New Orleans
February 16, 2021
New Orleans’ only salute to Spots includes the promenade of apparel-wearing pooches followed by a Pawty in the Park complete with live entertainment, cash bars, food, and more, all to raise funds for various animal welfare charities.
The Mystic Krewe of Mardi Paws
Downtown Covington
March 1, 2021
Get ready for an out of this world experience as Mardi Paws celebrates its move to Covington with “Beyond All Boundaries: Exploring Sea, Air and Space”! Pups and their pet parents are over the moon about this year’s theme, and because an animal-loving star is acting as the host!
Covington-born actor Ian Somerhalder (“The Vampire Diaries,” “V Wars”) will lead the line-up of costume-clad canines duirng a parade which will raise funds for Scott’s Wish and The Ian Somerhalder Foundatin.
Missouri
Purina Beggin’ Pet Parade
12th and Allen, Soulard, St. Louis
February 16, 2021
Billed as the world’s largest costumed pet parade, party animals will promenade for a paws cause, with each registration fee to participate donated to Open Door Animal Sanctuary. The most fashion forward Fidos will be chosen to be members of the Court of the Mystical Krewe of Barkus and can attend the Coronation Pageant to witness the crowning of the day’s top dogs, the King and Queen of Barkus.
Tennessee
Mardi Growl
From downtown Knoxville to Market Square in Knoxville
March 7, 2021
Over 15,000 fans of our four-legged friends will stride with pride alongside their furry family members as they help to shine a spotlight on the work of the Young-Williams Animal Center. The party with a higher purpose will also include costume contests, noms from a variety of food trucks, and the chance to shop among 60 vendor stalls.
Texas
Krewe of Barkus Dog Parade
Meridian Street in downtown Huntsville
Feb. 22, 2020
Part of an annual Mardi Gras Grand Parade benefiting Blount Hospitality House, the proceeds from past dog parades have been donated to A New Leash on Life, and attendees have had the chance to meet adorable adoptables who would love to “let the good times roll” in a home to call their own.
Krewe of Barkus Parade
Mitchell Park in downtown McKinney
Feb. 23, 2020
Join a throng 4,500 strong at a Mardi Gras gathering influenced by the philanthropic Mystic Krewe of Barkus in New Orleans, which tosses a lifeline to abandoned animals as its human participants tosses throws to the canine-loving crowd. Raising the roof for those who woof, the theme for this year’s fundraising fete is “A Barkus Salute to Popular Music: Puppies Go Pop Star.”
As an array of adorable adoptables from area rescues will be on hand, potential pet parents will get the chance to change a dog’s world for the better by welcoming a pup into their world!
Photo Credit: Shreveport-Bossier Mardi Gras