Open Letter from Blynda Christian-Ray, founder of the Krewe of Barkus McKinney Mardi Gras Dog Parade

McKinney, Texas -- Thank you to everyone who participated in the 24th Annual Krewe of Barkus Parade – Dogs Going Overboard: Barkus Sails The Seven Seas on Sunday, February 15.  What an absolutely perfect day!  The weather was perfect (and we were a little worried), the crowd was HUGE, and the costumes were better than ever!  Our Best In Show winner commented that everybody really stepped up their game this year.....and oh, boy, is that the truth!

Here’s a Big Barkus thank you to my husband, Tommy Ray, who kept me sane all week and also pulled duty as our photographer.  Thanks to Carla Sayle & Stephanie Farrar, who solicited and gathered prizes from downtown merchants, and Paula Hermelyn, who organized and kept track of registration, Susan Mouser who ran check in and helped me organize over $4,000 worth of prizes, along with Jennifer Dollard, Vanesa Stucki, Monty Day, Eric & Cassandra Wilkins and many others.

Vanesa also coordinated the parade - no small task! Thank you to David Pine, our website guru. Parker Kelly (Amanda's daughter) was on stage with me, helping me hand out prizes. All of our krewe helped in the parade as well.  

Our judges had a monumental task before them, as always! Thank you to Wendolin Mercado, Carla Sayle, & Stephanie Farrar (who pinch hit for Jessica Hogan at the very last minute). I don’t know how you do it.  I sure wouldn't want to be a judge! 

Our City Events coordinator, Gregory Hearns, was an absolute pleasure to work with as was Andrew Jones, our Cultural District Director.  Ryan Phelan and Graham Myers were fabulous point men. We’ve got a great team! 

We will be posting photos on our Krewe of Barkus Facebook page, so look for them - and I've already started posting on my own Instagram and Facebook (Blynda Christian Ray).  I'll also be emailing you with pics taken at the event. Tommy is busy editing them now.

And the winners are......

 

2026 KREWE OF BARKUS WINNERS

JUDGE’S AWARDS
          3^rd Place - #29 – Bridget McKibben with Little Bit & Bailey as sea creatures
          2^nd Place - #50 – Dana Wilson & Gigi as pirates
          1^st Place - #54– Patrick & Tyler Jackson with Lola as a shark and rescue swimmer wearing a life raft

BEST GROUP
          3^rd Place - #4 – Casey Strange and large group of humans & pups as Salty Sea Dogs & Legends of the Sea
          2^nd Place - #91 – Monica Fleming and 4 pugs coming as "The Pugliest Catch"
          1^st Place - #58 – Lori Garner and group coming as "We All Live In A Yellow Pupmarine"

BEST USE OF THEME

          3^rd Place - #87 – Blas Uribe & Roxy coming as Shampooch The Killer Whale
          2^nd Place - #11 – Jamie Perrenoud & family with Beltre coming as Vikings
          1^st Place - #63 – Megan Aeschbach with Tyger & Charlie coming as jelly fish and sea anemones

BEST DOG/OWNER COMBO
          3^rd Place - #13 – Han Phan & Sy coming as Sailors
          2^nd Place - #11 - Steve Berdote & Wallie coming as The Odyssey with Odysseus and a Cyclops
          1^st Place - #64 – Carla Vanderloop and Avocado Biscotti coming as The Love Boat

BEST FLOAT
          3^rd Place - #65 Kaylyn Edgar with Chico and Lola coming as Finding Nemo
          2^nd Place - #48 Alexandra Nelson and 4 pups coming as scuba divers and sharks
          1^st Place - #43 – Marcus Gonzales and yorkie Skittles coming as Sponge Bob Square Pants

MOST CREATIVE – AMANDA KELLY AWARD

          #25 – Lisa Herrick, Yoda, & Scottie coming as Calypso's Curse: Davy Bones & Stub Fin Specter with Captain "Snack" Sparrow

BEST IN SHOW
          #59 – Holly Cottles & family with Kooper, Kori, and Millie coming as "From Under the Sea to the Streets of McKinney", a huge display of Little Mermaid characters 

 Congratulations to all the winners!  

Remember, our parade is always the Sunday before Mardi Gras, so next year the date is February 7, 2027.

Next year will be our 25th anniversary!  To celebrate our Silver, we are returning to the source of my inspiration all those years ago.  Think about beignets and Bourbon Street.  Listen to Louis Armstrong, Fats Domino, and Harry Connick, Jr.  Imagine street cars, riverboats, and The French Quarter. That's right, we're taking it back to The Big Easy, when our theme will be: "BARKUS CELEBRATES THE CRESCENT CITY - A SALUTE TO THE CULTURE, CUISINE, AND CHARACTERS OF NEW ORLEANS"

Oh I cannot wait to see what you guys come up with! We'll see you again for our 25th annual parade on Sunday, Feb 7!

Much love to all.....