About 100 pet owners march in inaugural Mardi Paws Pet Parade

The first Mardi Paws Parade of Pets in downtown Cape Girardeau brought more than 100 pet owners and their furry friends out for an afternoon of fun.

Volunteers handed out beads and masks, and dogs and owners wore jester collars, hats and brightly-colored capes. A king and queen were crowned, and costume contest prizes were awarded.

But most attendees were there simply to have fun.

Mindy Anderson brought her goat, Rusty, and said they were having a great time.

“Rusty likes kids,” she said. “We have a farm, but Rusty is very much a pet.”

A dog smells a goat as they walk down Broadway for the Mardi Paws Parade of Pets on Saturday in Cape Girardeau.Andrew J. Whitaker

Anderson said she has taken Rusty to several local events, even meeting Al Roker when he was in Cape Girardeau for a live-television shoot at the riverfront last year.

“We’re having a lot of fun,” she said.

Bonnie Svenson’s mask decorated her hat, and a purple, yellow and green feather boa decorated the leash of her dog, Elvis.

“Elvis is a beagle and Australian shepherd mix,” Svenson said, adding they’re regulars at Mississippi Mutts in Cape Girardeau, which sponsored and organized the event. “It’s how we found out about this.”

Elvis’ purple and gold cape, small sparkly hat and beads loosely gathered at his neck jingled around him as he ran from dog to dog, greeting everyone he met.

Hundreds of people and their pets parade down Broadway for the Mardi Paws Parade of Pets on Saturday in Cape Girardeau.Andrew J. Whitaker

Graham, a 4-month-old mixed-breed dog, wore a few beads with his collar. His owner, Jordan Cook, said he takes Graham to Canine Clipz in Jackson, which is how he heard about the parade.

“I do wish it was about 30 degrees warmer right now, but you can’t have everything,” Cook said. “This is such a great event.”

Paige Sides’ longhaired Chihuahua, Jack, barked at other dogs nearby.

“He’s such a loudmouth, but he’s just the sweetest thing,” she said, adding she adopted Jack three years ago.

Sides, who works at Semo Media, said the owners of Mississippi Mutts told her about the event, and she thought it sounded like fun.

“We’re having a great time,” she said.

The parade route began at Sprigg Street and Broadway in Cape Girardeau, and ended at Fountain Street and Broadway. Mississippi Mutts hosted a small party for participants in the Indie House’s backyard, offering Cajun food and information from animal-rescue operations that were represented.

A complete list of parade winners was not available Saturday afternoon.

Beth McFerron, who volunteers at Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary, carried a Safe Harbor banner at the beginning of the parade, and said she can’t believe the great turnout for the event.

“I’d say we have every bit of 100-plus people participating,” she said, adding the turnout was spectacular for the first year doing this. “It’s so much fun.”

The Cape Girardeau Police Department was on hand, as were several other Cape Girardeau and Jackson businesses.

Canine Clipz ran a “tattoo” booth to paint stenciled designs on pets’ haunches, AAP Entertainment provided music, Southeast Missouri State University’s Creative Advertising Club provided a T-shirt design and Zickfield’s Jewelry & Gifts provided trophies for contest winners.

The Bank of Missouri, Dr. Elizabeth Kistner and the Downtown Community Improvement District also were sponsors. Volunteers from the Gamma Sigma Sigma service sorority were on hand as well.

Safe Harbor Animal Sanctuary and the Humane Society were on hand with informational booths, as was Greyhound Pets of America’s Cape Girardeau chapter. These three rescues and a rescue for Mac the pitbull were benefited by the event’s proceeds, according to Mississippi Mutts’ Facebook event page.

mniederkorn@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3630

Pertinent address:

609 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, Mo.