Catch Mardi Gras This Year.

Louisiana has fêted Mardi Gras since 1857 so it was only a matter of time until Fat Tuesday went to the dogs. During Carnival season krewes host pet parades all over the state for locals, visitors and man’s best friends.

Why watch from the sidelines when you can be part of it? Just ask King Andouille "Dewey" Lemarie who reigned over the 2015 Mystic Krewe of Barkus in New Orleans. This parade runs annually in the French Quarter. Two- and four-legged revelers dress in fetching attire and toss treats instead of beads.

At Baton Rouge’s Mystic Krewe of Mutts parade—whose theme this year is opportunely “Paw Wars”—there are costume contests and the Bark in the Park festival. The Krewe des Chiens is hosting a Super Bowl Pawty parade in Lafayette and the Northshore’s Mystic Krewe of Mardi Paws is known as a canine super krewe, complete with themed floats and a royal court. In north Louisiana, Shreveport’s Krewe of Barkus and Meoux sponsors the Mardi Paw Pet Parade and the Krewe of Paws is celebrating its tenth year strolling Monroe’s historic Antique Alley.

Parade registration costs typically benefit local animal welfare groups and most occur in the two weeks prior to Mardi Gras, which this year is February 9. Each is sure to be a doggone good time!

For more Mardi Gras adventure inspiration, visit MardiGras.LouisianaTravel.com.