Krewe of Barkus
When: Sunday, March 6, 2011 at 12:30 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Where: Mitchell Park - Historic Downtown McKinney

Patterned after the legendary Mystic Krewe of Barkus in New Orleans, the festival will feature a parade, festivities and shopping galore! 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, “Happy Tails to You…Barkus Salutes Texas and Wild, Wild West.” So move over partners, because our four-legged friends are decking out cowboy 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 “Wild West” 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.