[News] Central Florida Dog Masquerade Parade
 

DELAND, FL -- The dogs paraded as though feathered sequins and applause were more or less the norm.

Hunter, a yellow Lab mix, sauntered along in drag.

Mr. Patrick, a pint-sized bichon frisé, strained in his tuxedo against his leash.

Dixie, a dachshund, just lay there in a garden of fake flowers on wheels, flaunting a blond wig and blue dress in her role as Alice in "Wienerland."

Central Florida's only dog masquerade parade, a Mardi Gras-style bash with plenty of beads but more barking than booze, featured more than 100 dogs marching down Woodland Boulevard on Saturday.

"This is the height of the dog season, the Super Bowl for dog-stupid people," said Mitzi Gerard, 54, who marched in a black boa and velvet evening gown with her Yorkshire terrier, Webster. "This is the coolest thing in the entire world."

The spectacle of the Krewe of Barkalee dog parade was free for the several thousand spectators. But this year's event helped raise more than $28,000 for the DeLand Cultural Arts Center. In eight years, the dog parade has helped raise more than $300,000 for the center, organizers said.

"People are always thinking 'What can happen in little DeLand?' and they come here and are blown away," said Debbie Reed, one of the founding members of the Krewe of Amalee, a private carnival club of 129 women that oversees the parade.

Marsha Weeks, 38, of New Smyrna Beach, came with her dog, Hunter, whom she rescued from the pound in October. Hunter wore rouge and a lace vest and pants with roses and bumblebees stitched into them.

"He even let me paint his toenails," Weeks said with a laugh.

Mardi Gras -- Fat Tuesday in French -- is the last day of Carnival, a weeks-long festival of feasting and parades. The festival ends on Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent, a season of penance that lasts until Easter.

It wasn't the chance to feast before the fast that drew 12-year-old Leah Pough, of Deltona, to parade in a white gown with her dog, Mr. Patrick.

"I'm really here for me and my dog," she said.

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