Brian Lukas / WWLTV.com Photographer
It isn’t the biggest parade of the season nor is it grandest but to the thousands of revelers who attended the Mardi Paws parade in Mandeville on Sunday it sure could be considered one of the cutest.
The 2012 Theme was “Mardi Paws goes BARK IN TIME!”
The krewe members and their families in the walking parade came dressed in period costumes from decades past. Throws included the special, rare, gold dog dropping given out by the royals, the purple dog droppings thrown by past royalty and this year a limited number of special beads were unleashed.
One carnival historian gives the Krewe of Mardi Paws credit for being the only one to parade after Fat Tuesday to avoid any competition.
This year’s guest celebrities included the New Orleans Saints mascot Gumbo and Hugo from the Hornets along with their dance team the “Wannabees”.
Parade proceeds benefit three Northshore non-profits – Have a Heart thru Art, Scott’s Wish and The St. Tammany Spay/Neuter Program. The parade serves underprivileged and disabled children and animals throughout St. Tammany Parish.
