If you love Lucy, Andy, Opie, Batman and the Brady Bunch– then the Art Institute of McKinney's annual Krewe of Barkus parade is where you need to be on Sunday, February 22nd. The theme for this year's event is “Classic TV”.  All area hounds and their handlers are encouraged to come dressed as television characters from the 60s, 70s, & 80s.

McKinney's canine celebration is patterned after the legendary Mystic Krewe of Barkus in New Orleans that was established to help abused and abandoned dogs.  The local event is co-sponsored by AIM and McKinney Main Street. In addition to the parade, there will be food vendors, local non-profit booths, canine training and exercise demonstrations, live music and much more.

The Barkus parade is one of the premier family events in this area and we wanted  our theme to reflect that”, said Blynda Christian, director of AIM and parade coordinator.  Christian, who grew up in Louisiana, decided to bring some Mardi Gras fun to North Texas when she started the celebration seven years ago.  The event has grown dramatically.  Last year's parade had 250 dogs and more than 5,000 spectators.

“There is nothing like a bulldog wearing a feather boa to put you in the Mardi Gras spirit”, Christian adds.  “I'm constantly amazed at the creativity we see in the costumes. It's a fun event and we guarantee you'll have a good time.” 

Winners in last year's event included Roxy, a Russian terrier as Bob Marley, Bailey, a chocolate Lab and his family as the ZZ Top Band, a duo dressed as Sonny & Cher, and a Pekingese and her owner, who came as Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner.  Best Dog costume honors went to Bella da Bulldog and her family portraying the rock band KISS and a white miniature poodle named Emma Jane, dressed as Marilyn Monroe escorted by her family in jewels, with the theme Diamonds Are A Dog's Best Friend. The 2008 Best of Show honor went to Liberty, a Blue Heeler/rat terrier mix born on 9/11.  Her young owner, Michael, designed the costume and his mom sewed it.

Barkus fun isn't limited to the dogs and their owners. Children may enter decorated wagon floats/bicycles and take part in the parade.

The parade begins promptly at 2 p.m. followed by the costume contest. The staging area for the dogs will be in Mitchell Park.  Participants should arrive no later than 12:30 p.m. to check in and register for the contest and parade. Cost for participants is $5 per dog to enter the costume contest, and all parade entrants must be pre-registered . Prizes will be awarded at the main stage in the park.

Registration is now open and the number of entrants will be limited to 250. Please include the dog's name, color and breed, and the owner's name, address, phone number and email address. 

Below the regisrtation form is a working list of Classic TV themes. Feel free to use this list to jump-start your creative ideas!

Enrollment Form

Name of Dog______________________________________________Breed_________________________________

Color of Dog_______________________________Theme of Costume______________________________________

Will the owner be in costume? (include theme)___________________________________________________________

Will children be entering a float? (include children's names & float theme) ______________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Owner/Human Escort_____________________________________________________________________________

Address_______________________________________________________________________________________

Phones________________________________________________________________________________________

E-mail________________________________________________________________________________________

Ozzie & Harriet

Father Knows Best

I Love Lucy

Leave It To Beaver

Lone Ranger

Addams Family

Andy Griffith Show

Avengers

Batman

Bewitched

Dick Van Dyke Show

Flipper

Gilligan's Island

Night Court

Perfect Strangers

Silver Spoons

Webster

Gomer Pyle U.S.M.C

Green Acres

Gunsmoke

Hogan's Heroes

I Dream Of Jeannie

Munsters

Twilight Zone

All In The Family

Bob Newhart Show

Brady Bunch

CHiPs

Good Times

Happy Days

Jeffersons

Small Wonder

St. Elsewhere

Who's The Boss?

Laverne & Shirley

M*A*S*H

Mary Tyler Moore Show

Muppet Show

Odd Couple

Sanford and Son

Taxi

Three's Company

Waltons

Welcome Back, Kotter

WKRP In Cincinnati

ALF

Bosom Buddies

Cagney & Lacey

Cheers

Cosby Show

Diff'rent Strokes

Dukes Of Hazzard

Facts Of Life

Family Ties

Golden Girls

Greatest American Hero

Growing Pains

Head Of The Class

Hill Street Blues

Knots Landing

Love Boat

MacGyver

Miami Vice

Mork & Mindy

Mr. Belvedere

My Two Dads