The Krewe of Barkus is a New Orleans Mardi Gras parade whose participants are dogs costumed according to a central parade theme and escorted by their human owners. Originally created in November 1992, the krewe was not granted parading status by the city of New Orleans until 1994. The Krewe is reigned over by a King and Queen and registration fees for members are donated to local chapters of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Themes over the years have included: Jurassic Bark, 2001: A Dog Odyssey, the Wizard of Paws, Tails From the Crypt and Raiders of the Lost Bark.
Barkus traces its history to a November 1992 meeting of the Margaret Orr fan club. Orr is a meteorologist for New Orleans television station WDSU. A member of the club hatched the idea for a canine-centered "krewe" and it took hold. Orr regularly participates in the event as a Mistress of Ceremonies.
Membership in the Krewe of Barkus has grown over the years and now numbers over 400.
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