Sunday, March 2, 2014, 12:30 - 4 p.m., parade at 2 p.m.
Mitchell Park in historic downtown McKinney
On March 2, we are off to the races during the Krewe of Barkus Mardi Gras Dog Parade and Costume Contest as Downtown McKinney calls on all four-legged canine friends and their best buddies to share in the excitement.
Embarking on its 12th Annual successful run, Krewe of Barkus 2014 promises to be a howling hoot. In past years, more than 200 dogs participated in the parade alongside more than 4,500 spectators in awe of costumes, creatures and creativity.
Patterned after the Mystic Krewe of Barkus in New Orleans, which was established to help abused and abandoned canines, Krewe of Barkus will feature a parade, vendor booths, interactive activities and more. 
In partnership with McKinney Main Street, Art Institute of McKinney (AIM) will hold the dog parade on Sunday, March 2, 2014. Located at Mitchell Park, just west of the Historic Downtown Commercial District, vendors will be on hand starting at 12:30 p.m. to showcase their products and services. The parade will begin promptly at 2 p.m., followed by the costume contest that is a must-see experience all in itself. The theme for this year’s event is, “Barkus Goes Back In Time...Choose a decade and get decked out in Style.”
Owners and their canine companions dress according to the theme each year, and the entire family gets involved in the act! Barkus fun isn’t limited to just dogs and their owners. Children may enter “Barkus Goes Back in Time” floats and join in the parade. The route begins at Mitchell Park at the corner of Church St. and Louisiana St., proceeding east on Louisiana then north on Tennessee and finally west on Virginia ending back at Mitchell Park.
For more event information please call the McKinney Main Street Office at
972-547-2660.
photos by Allen Rich