Krewe of Barkus parade of pooches returns to downtown McKinney

Event will honor the 50th anniversary of the movie Benji, for which McKinney served as a primary filming spot

McKINNEY, Texas (Jan. 30, 2023) - Downtown McKinney will overflow with canine Clark Kents and a surplus of super dogs at the annual Krewe of Barkus Mardi Gras dog parade and festival Sunday, Feb. 19. This year's theme is "Unleash Your Superheroes: Barkus Salutes the Good Dogs."

Krewe of Barkus begins at 12:30 p.m. at Mitchell Park, just west of the historic downtown commercial district, where attendees will visit with more than 30 pet-related/general vendors and can grab a bite to eat from Mr. B's Gumbo & Mo. The parade begins at 2 p.m. with more than 300 participating dogs and owners. Following the parade at 2:30 p.m., the City of McKinney will unveil the Benji Love statue that commemorates the upcoming 50th anniversary of the movie Benji. Downtown McKinney served as the primary outdoor filming location for the movie.

Dog costume awards will be chosen for:

• Best in Show
• Most Creative
• Best Dog-Owner Combo
• Best Group
• Best Use of Theme

Patterned after the legendary Krewe of Barkus parade in New Orleans, the McKinney event features a parade, costume contest, vendor booths and Pawty in the Park, including free activities for the entire family. This year, spectators will be entertained by the music of The Big Easy Brass Band that will perform in the parade and on stage, and animals in need of a home will be up for adoption.

The costume contest and float entry fee are $5 per dog or float, and you can register online by Feb. 12 or in person at the event. There is no fee to walk in the parade.

For more information, visit www.downtownmckinney.com or call 972-547-2651.

Digital assets

• Krewe of Barkus B-roll
• Krewe of Barkus Photos