April 6

BARKUS ON MAIN

Barkus on Main is Little Rock’s largest Mardi Gras dog event of the year!

Sunday, April 6th, Noon – 5 p.m.
400 Block of Main Street

The Parade starts at 2:30 p.m. at the corner of 6th and Main and will head north to 4th and Main. The Barkus block pawty will take place on Main Street from 3rd Street to Capitol Ave. The Pawty will get started at noon and resume when the parade is over.

Barkus on Main is Little Rock’s largest Mardi Gras dog event of the year!
The Mardi Gras dog parade will feature entertainment for both two and four-legged attendees, a beer garden, a hurricane station, gumbo, crawfish boil, plenty of beads, and local vendors showcasing products that are bound to make you and your woof drool!

Want to enter your pets in the parade?

Register Your Pup

  • Date & Time

    April 6

  • Address

    400 Block of Main Street

  • Speaker

    Live Music Stages Across Festival Footprint

  • Cost

    FREE to attend - Register your pup to walk in the Parade

ENTER YOUR PUP

Register your furry furriend to strut their stuff in the parade! Pups that pre-register for the parade will also be eligible for prizes in eight prize categories and receive a Barkus Wag Bag loaded with an assortment of goodies!

VOLUNTEER

Help us throw the best doggone dog parade in Arkansas!

SPONSORSHIP

Generate local impact by reaching Little Rock and surrounding areas, visitors and prominent community leaders while simultaneously supporting the Downtown Little Rock Partnership (501(c)3) and the work we do for the heart of the city.

VENDORS

We’re looking for local vendors to showcase products bound to make both our two and four-legged companions drool!

FAQ

Know before you go

Can I come with my dog even if I’m not in the parade?

Absolutely! We’re pawsitive that you and your dog will have a tail-waggin’ great time regardless if you commit to being in the parade or trick contest! And, if you're on the fence about registering for the parade or trick contest, no sweat – you can sign up when you get there.

Does it cost anything to attend the event?

Nope. It doesn't cost a lick to attend Barkus on Main and cheer on your favorite furriends!

Where should I park?

Street parking is free outside of the parade footprint. Paid parking is available at the South Scott Street parking deck (located at 6th and Scott), Statehouse Convention Parking Garage (2nd and Main). Parade footprint is on Main Street from 3rd to 7th.

Where are the human bathrooms?

There will be porta-potties located throughout the event.

Are all dog breeds welcome?

Yes! All woofs are welcome.

Do dogs need to be leashed?

Yes. For everyone’s safety, we require all dogs to be on a leash at all times outside of the dog park. All furry guests inside the dog park are permitted to be off-leash but must be supervised by their human.

What kind of food/beverages are available?

Grub: Crawfish, gumbo and food trucks.
Beverages: Beer garden, Rock Town Distillery hurricanes and non-alcoholic beverages.

What times are the events?

Barkus on Main vendors will start selling items at 12 p.m. Entertainment will start at 1 p.m. The parade will begin at 2:30 p.m.

Are children welcome?

Yes! There will be many family furriendly events, activities and vendors to entertain the entire family.

What is a wag bag?

Wag Bags are for Mardi Gras parade pawticipants! Wag Bags will be stuffed with toys and snacks for your fluffy furriend.

How can I get involved?

We’d love your help! In order to host a dog-gone good time, we need volunteers, and there are several options to get involved:

Contact DLRP at volunteers@downtownLR.com if you'd like to be on a planning committee.
Volunteer the day of the event. Volunteer sign-up sheet available HERE
Register your company to be a vendor or sponsor or donate to the Wag Bag HERE
Enter Your Pup

What is the refund policy?

Barkus 2024 Refund policy

If you cancel: We realize that circumstances sometimes require cancellation of pre-paid registration; however, we ask that you understand all event expenses are predicated upon your registration dollars. Therefore, we cannot extend refunds indefinitely. To receive a refund, your request must be emailed to canton@downtownlr.com, prior to Sunday, March 31, 2025. No refunds are available after March 31, 2025. The registrant will receive a full refund minus the processing fees within 14 days of receiving the emailed request.
If we cancel: If the event is cancelled completely (not postponed, rescheduled, or moved), a full refund minus processing fees will be available to any registrant that would like one. Emails will be sent to ticket holders notifying them of any available refund options for the event.
If the event is postponed, rescheduled, or moved because of weather, acts of God, or force majeure your ticket is still valid for the new date and no further action is required. Emails will be sent to ticket holders notifying them of any available refund options for the event.
$5 donations to local pet non-profit will not be refunded.