Salty Barkers
of
Welcome!
FUNdraising for our furry and feathered friends of Florida's Forgotten Coast
2024 Mardi Gras Barkus Parade & Festival
Saturday, February 24, 2024 11:00 am – 4:00 pm (Parade AT 1:00 pm)
Riverfront Park Apalachicola, Florida
2024 Parade Theme
2024 Canine Royalty
SCAN TO DONATE
Git Along Little Doggies
We ___ Our Pawtners & Donors
Local businesses and generous folks like you make our event a success..
Apalach Outfitters
Apalachicola Bee Company
Apalachicola Chocolate and Coffee Company
Bayside Coffee Company
Beach Pit
Brian Kent
Cafe Con Leche
Capt. Gill Boat Tours
Carrabelle Junction
Coast Clothing Store
Emerald Coast Federal Credit Union
Family Coastal Restaurant
Fisherman’s Choice Bait & Tackle
Forgotten Coast Lavender
Gail Dierolf
Gormley’s Gourmet Catering
Gulf Coast Custom Carts
High Five Dive Bar
Island Carts
JD Gander Distributor
Jerry Hall
Jon Johnson
Mangia 850
Mark and Natalie Parsley
Martin Marine
Nauti Buoy Fishing Charters
Oyster City Brewery
Panhandle Players
People’s Bank South
Pirate Girl’s Treasures
Random Catch
Red Pirate Restaurant
Saltwater Wellness Studio
Scipio Creek Marina
Seaside Cotton Clothing
SGI Brewfest
SGI Trading Company
Shirley Richardson
Star Flower Designs
The Pearl
The Pet Stop
The Station Restaurant
The Gibson Inn
Water H20 Sportz
Wayne’s Hair Studio
White Sands Salon & Boutique
Will and Jodie Rosenbaum
Willis ACE Hardware
Wired, Fired, and Inspired
Worn By the Sea
Why do we do it?
The mission of the krewe is to help animals of our beautiful Forgotten Coast...and have fun while doing it! The annual Mardi Gras Barkus Parade raises money for food, shelter and medical care at the Franklin County Humane Society and the Florida Wild Mammal Association. Other krewe events include having a holiday pet food drive for animals living in families requiring hospice and supporting the local dog park with necessary poop pick up bags and supplies. Whether wild or domestic, we just know that life is better with animals!
AND MARDI GRAS
Because - WHY NOT?
How we started
In 2010 a lively bunch of animal-loving folks in the small, coastal town of Apalachicola, Florida, decided to renew an old tradition...with a twist, or rather a tail.
At the dawn of the 20th Century, Apalachicola celebrated Mardi Gras with three days of brass bands, costumed characters, and boisterous parades. Mardi Gras royalty arrived by boat and floats were pulled by mules were decorated with Palmetto fronds and Camellias. The serious years of World War I put a complete stop to the celebration...until the Mystic Krewe of Salty Barkers re-energized the enthusiasm.
Now Mardi Gras has made a comeback in the form of a “Barkus” Parade, a procession of costumed canines and their owners, Zydeco music, and lots of beads. There is always a special place in the parade for the Canine King and Queen, shelter animals in need of their furever homes.
Past themes have included “Bark Side of the Moon”, “Furry Tails Come True”, and “Bour-Bone Street Blues”. The 2024 theme, “GIT ALONG LITTLE DOGGIES” is sure to entertain!
After winding through downtown, the parade ends at a Fais Do-Do, a public party with live music, dancing, Cajun food, local seafood, auctions, arts and crafts vendors and more beads.
Our volunteers have worked hard to become a Florida registered 501c3 nonprofit organization. Proceeds from all Krewe events are for the benefit of the animals of Franklin County. Since 2014 we have donated over $80,000.00!
Join our Krewe and let the fun continue! The Krewe participates in other parades and private events. Membership is open to anyone who loves animals and likes to have fun.
apalachdogs@gmail.com
(850) 624-8085
PO Box 923
Apalachicola, FL 32329
