If you are anywhere near St. Louis, Missouri and a dog person, there is only one place to be for most of us on January 27th — the Beggin Strips Barkus Parade! It is the MOST fun! Just imagine THOUSANDS of costumed dogs and friendly dog people! Wow!
I’m planning on being there with one or more of my pack! If you see me, come on by and say hello!
If you and your furfriend are going to be there, bark in!
15 YEARS AND GOING STRONG: ONE OF THE WORLDS LARGEST PET PARADES HITS MILESTONE IN ST. LOUIS
Thousands of Costumed Pets Will Strut Their Stuff at the 15th Annual Beggin Strips Barkus Pet Parade in 2008. St. Louis, MO, January 27, 2008 St. Louis is home to the Arch, the 2006 World Series Champions AND one of the worlds largest pet parades, the Beggin Strips Barkus Pet Parade! On January 27, 2008, the Gateway city will once again host thousands of parading pets during this annual kickoff to the St. Louis Mardi Gras celebration.
As one of the worlds premiere pet attractions, the Beggin Strips Barkus Pet Parade is celebrating its 15th anniversary of being the place to be seen for dogs and their owners wanting to show off their Mardi Gras inspired costumes. More than 8,000 pets and 80,000 people, decked out in purple, green and gold, are expected to parade through the streets of Soulard, St. Louis very own French Quarter. All of the tail-wagging good fun starts at 1:00 p.m. as the one-of-its-kind yellow Beggin Strips float leads the parade followed by a massive sea of colorfully dressed pets. Attendees will be lined up, shoulder to paw, on the city streets to catch the special Mardi Gras-inspired beads being tossed down from the float.
Back by popular demand, the parade will again conclude in Soulard Farmers Market Park with a coronation ceremony to name the 2008 Beggin Strips Barkus Court. The much sought-after titles of King, Queen, Prince, Princess and Jester will be up for grabs as last years court steps down from their thrones. Fifteen finalists will preen for the judges and the five most popular pooches will take home the titles, along with prizes including a years supply of Beggin Strips. This year, there is a new category for best group costume, where herds of dachshunds, packs of pugs and troops of terriers will show off their collaborative costume efforts.
The Beggin Strips Barkus Pet Parade has been a St. Louis institution for fifteen years. Its always so much fun to watch entire families, both two-legged and four-legged members, enjoy the Mardi Gras celebration while helping a great cause,” says Tim Lorson, executive director of Mardi Gras, Inc. Every year is a new adventure, and we are constantly entertained by the creativity and costume design of the thousands of pet owners who travel to St. Louis from all over the country to be part of this parade.”
Best of all, the 2008 Beggin Strips Barkus Pet Parade will continue to help homeless pets. A required registration fee of $10.00 per pet will benefit Open Door Animal Sanctuary, a no-kill animal shelter in the St. Louis area. Pet owners can register their four-legged friends online prior to the event, or visit the registration table, at the corner of Menard and Allen, the day of the parade beginning at 10:00 a.m. Pets must be registered to be eligible to participate in the Beggin Strips Barkus Court competition. All registered pets receive a free Beggin Party Bag full of unique pooch presents, including a certificate of participation, special doggy beads and a bag of Beggin Strips brand dog treats, while supplies last. Pets marching in the parade are required to be on leashes for their safety.
So, listen for the Bacon” chants on January 27, 2008 because it means the 15th Annual Beggin Strips Barkus Pet Parade has hit a milestone! With people, pets, and a partying atmosphere, this years event is sure to kick off the St. Louis Mardi Gras 2008 with a bang..or a giant BARK!
