Here’s a herd of huskies making its way down Gay Street Saturday. Doesn’t it just bring a smile to your face? (It looks like they’re all smiling!)
Downtown Knoxville went to the dogs this past Saturday. In a good way.
It was the ninth annual Mardi Growl dog parade and festival presented by Radio Systems Corporation, the parent company of PetSafe, Invisible Fence and Sport Dog, for the benefit of Young-Williams Animal Center. Led by the Fulton High School Band, hundreds of dogs and their owners marched from the Old City, south on Gay Street and ended up on Market Square, where the Old City Buskers performed and vendors set up booths.
Young-Williams is the official animal intake center for Knoxville and Knox County, and Mardi Growl is its largest fundraiser of the year, this time bringing in in excess of $65,000.
The Fulton High School Band played “When the Saints Go Marching In” as they passed the viewing stand at Krutch Park.
As a graduate of the University of Georgia, I’d have to say these bulldogs are turncoats!
Dog as space shuttle!
Dog in traditional Mardi Gras garb.
Wagon of dogs.
Sometimes it’s best to get a lift.
Hahaha. A takeoff on a traditional Mardi Gras saying! Clever.
I love spaghetti and meatballs!
A couple of bees.
Cute.
A sundae.
We know where they are headed!
Punk pug.
This is our friend, Layla. She is our neighbor at Cherokee Lofts. We spent a good part of one night a few years ago searching all over downtown for her when she went missing. She was returned home because of a microchip she has that was discovered by a veterinarian where she was turned in. Please microchip your pets!
There were many vendors on Market Square. But, I have to admit, this one made me do a double take. Yes, that’s a stuffed poop. The company, Clear Your Mines, removes dog poop from yards.
Or, maybe you’d like a colorful padded leash? Luv My Leash had a booth.
One of our favorite local bands is the Old City Buskers. They were playing Dixieland jazz on the stage on Market Square.
That’s where we saw this “lion.”
And this lobster.
Over at the Off Leash K9 Training booth, some dogs were relaxing.
Enjoying the pretty day on Market Square.
Fairy beagle.
A beautiful flower.
A chef with her plate of spaghetti and meatballs.
I guess this spaghetti and meatballs was in alfredo sauce rather than marinara sauce.
Our buddy Deanene Catani was having lunch at Cafe 4 with Willy. Adorable.
Every parade has a grand marshal and this one had two! Dazzi, an amputee patient, and Pumpkin, who was covered in scabies when she first came to Young-Williams, were the featured pets. Money from Young-Williams’ Compassion Fund paid for their treatment and Dr. Jen Armstrong, director of shelter medicine, adopted both of them.
Award winners were: Madison Wood for Best Dog Pack; Jerry Marlar for Volunteer Spirit; Teresa Mabry for Best Dog Couple; David Dunlap for Owner Look Alike; Jessica Comer for Most Unique Mixed Breed; Christy Richardson for Best Naked Dog; and Dauna Eperson for Best Costume. (Apparently the best costume winner was a dog dressed like a horse, but I, unfortunately, missed that one.)
If you’d like to see even more pictures from Mardi Growl, my downtown friend, The Urban Guy, has some on his blog. Click here.
Great coverage – wish I had been able to attend!
Cindy: Thanks. They were definitely adorable.
Those bulldogs look good in orange. Woof! (Love all the photos. I was out of town. What a great event for a great organization.)
Maria: You are biased about your beloved Vols!
This is the boys’ favorite event of the year–they always have a blast! It was a party having Gay Lyons walking along with us as Mr. Martini’s chaperone–great pic and coverage!
What a joy to see such an event. It has come a long way with efforts fr so many people. Cynthia thanks for the wonderful pictures and your coverage. Issues re our pets and other animals are so important.
Thanks, Deborah: You all looked like you were having a blast! And all for a good cause.
WOOF! great photos, loved tha parade!! Tinah aka TRU Dog Network
About the Author
What You’re Saying
What’s Hot
My Favorite Blogs
Archives