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A small crowd of people gathered on the square Saturday morning prior to the Jazz and Blues Festival for more festivities hosted by the Mardi Gras Society of Southwest Georgia. The morning began with a yoga session in Willis Park.

Following this, dog owners from all over town presented their canine companions in this year’s PAWrade of Barkus. In the Small Dog Category, Marilyn Whitley’s York Laci took first place; Tara Lovell’s Pekinese Pippy took second; and Becca Harville’s Pug Dottie came in third. In the Large Dog category, Mardi McRae’s Labradoodle Milo came in first; Amanda Rentz’s Spaniel Trigger came in second; and Linda Gisondi’s mixed breed adoption Cocoa came in third.

This year saw over 20 dogs participate, up from last year’s 12. This year also saw the Humane Society enter three dogs in the parade as a way to encourage adoption.

“The public absolutely loved this event,” Jennifer Cannon said. “We had numerous people come out to enjoy the dogs and their costumes.”

Following the parade, the Art Committee held a free community art event, where members of the public were able to make Mardi Gras masks, beads and chalk art. Members of the community were also allowed to contribute to the creation of a large masquerade mask as part of a community art piece.

The next event planned by the Mardi Gras Society is the Run for the Beads 5K and Fun Run, scheduled for this Thursday, with the Fat Tuesday GolfCart Parade scheduled for next Tuesday.

In a statement, the Mardi Gras Society describes itself as: “The MGSSWGA is a ladies 501c3 Non-Profit Organization. We raise money for other Non-Profits by planning and executing fun Mardi Gras events for the Southwest Georgia region. We believe you can have fun while helping others.

Help us put the FUN in FUNdraising this year!”