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Enter your Pooch in the Paw-rade and Costume Contest! 

Join the Mystic Krewe of Ruffus and strut your stuff in this Mardi-Gras style walking costume parade for dogs and their humans. The parade route will be the level, paved path around the pavilion, playground and field at Conestee Park and is approximately .4 miles long. Dogs are welcome to walk their humans on a leash or to have their humans push or pull them in a decorated “float” (nonmotorized stroller, cart or wagon). 

 

The 2026 theme is “Fairy Tails: The Wondrous and the Wicked”. All parade participants/teams will be assigned a number and will have a chance to win one of several puppalicious prizes in the costume contest. Feel free to stretch your artistic license and get creative! See images from other dog parades for inspiration! Scroll down to see photos taken by one of our members at the Washington Square Dog Parade.

 

The first 30 dog/human combos to sign up will receive a complimentary “wag bag”.

 

The festival and spectating the parade are free and open to the public. Participation in the parade and costume contest requires a ticket purchase.

Rules of Participation:

By joining the 2026 Mystic Krewe of Ruffus Dog Paw-rade and Festival, you agree to the following: 1.Dogs and humans only. No more than two dogs per human. 2.Dogs must have a current rabies vaccination. 3.All participating dogs must be in costume. Preferably humans also. 4.No political themes or costumes. 5.Dogs must be leashed. 6.You are responsible for your dog’s behavior. Please no aggressive dogs or constant barkers. 7.Dogs may walk on a leash or ride on a decorated “float”, such as a dog stroller, wagon or cart. Only non-motorized floats are permitted. 8.Children under the age of 13 who are parading a pet must be accompanied by an adult. 9.No solicitation and no distribution to spectators other than approved Krewe of Ruffus cups. 10.You are responsible for bringing dog waste bags and cleaning up after your dog(s). 11.Giving away or selling animals is prohibited other than by approved animal shelter vendors. 12.The first 30 Krewe of Ruffus “one dog and one human” entries will receive a “wag bag”. 13.Water will be available but it is recommended that you bring a cup or bowl to be filled as needed for your dog(s). 14.Cancellation: as this is a fundraising activity and event expenses are predicated upon registration dollars, registration fees are nonrefundable in the event that you cancel. However, in the event that we cancel the event, you will receive a refund of your registration fees. If the event is rescheduled, your ticket will be valid for the new date, but you will be given the option to cancel and receive a refund of your registration fees. 15.You are expected to have a ruffalicious time!

Examples from Other Dog Parades:

Walking Costumes:

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Stroller Floats:

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Push Cart Floats:

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Wagons and Pull Cart Floats:

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