As part of St Louis’s Mardi Gras tradition, the annual Barkus ‘Beggin’ Pet Parade and Wiener Dog Derby will be held a few days before Fat Tuesday.
Thousands of dogs decked out in Mardi Gras purple, green, and gold costumes, and their equally dressed up owners, will be parading through the historic Soulard neighborhood.
Spectators will be lining the route with Banners supporting their favorite pooches, their owners, and their own canines.
At the end of the parade, those from here in Chesterfield and the rest of the crowd will file into the specially constructed Wiener Stadium for the running of the Barefoot Wiener Dog Derby. The music will swell and the crowd will get ready for two hours of dachshund racing.
The dogs race around a tiny racetrack. Categories will range from the puppy division known as the Cocktail Wieners, up to the waddling Ballpark Franks. Times of the heats vary as the dogs have a tendency to stop along the 100-foot course to greet admirers. It is not uncommon for a single race may take up to five minutes, and some contestants never leave the starting gate.
The parade and derby are scheduled for February 19. The parade will begin at 1:00 pm at 12th and Allen streets in Soulard, St. Louis. The first heat of the Derby will begin at 2:00 pm in front of the brick pizza place on the corner of Lafayette and 9th in Soulard’s Rudy Commons.
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