EVENT INFO

Young-Williams Animal Center hopes to see you at our 14th Annual Mardi Growl pet parade and festival this summer. While we continue to monitor the challenges presented by the pandemic, we hope and plan to celebrate one of our favorite traditions with you this summer. While you wait, we are working on a few fun surprises for March! Stay tuned for details.

Please check back often and follow Young-Williams Animal Center on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for the latest updates!

FAQ

How do I register?

Registration for our pet parade this summer is not yet open. You are encouraged to follow Young-Williams Animal Center onFacebook, Instagram or Twitter for the latest updates!

Registration for our Virtual Costume Contest will open on March 6 in honor of our the original date for our 14th Annual Mardi Growl.

We may not be able to celebrate with you in Market Square but that doesn’t mean we don’t want to see your primped pooches. Registration for the virtual pet costume contest is $15 includes registration for our pet parade later this summer. Costume contest entries will be accepted from March 6 – March 20, 2021. Public voting for best costumes will take place from March 21 – 28, 2021. Winners for each category will be announced on March 29 and will lead our pet parade later this summer.

How do I enter the costume contests?

To enter your pet into the 2021 Pet Costume Contest, please pay your $15 registration fee here. Registration is $15 per pet entered. Once paid, you will receive information for uploading a photo of your pet to the contest platform. All entries must be paid and submitted by 11:59 PM on March 21, 2021.

Your $15 registration fee for our virtual Pet Costume Contest includes registration to walk in our pet parade later this summer and gives you a second opportunity to display your creative costumes. More details for our pet parade this summer are coming soon!

What contests I can enter?

Best Vol Spirit: Dog that shows the most UT Volunteer spirit

Best Dawg Pack: Best group of dogs entered together, such as a rescue group, business or organization

Pet/Owner Look-a-like: Coordinate your outfits and win

Best Dog Couple: Two dogs that make a great pair!

Meowdy Gras: Best Festive Cat!

Most Unique Mixed Breed (Mutt): Show us your adorable mutt and all that makes them unique

Best Costume: Go wild and the best costume wins!

Best Naked Dog: Is your dog not a fashionista? That’s okay. Bring your low-maintenance pup as they are!

How do I buy a t-shirt, mask or bandana?

You can be among the very first to own the 2021 Mardi Growl t-shirt and the first ever facemask and dog bandana. Merchandise will be on sale through March, but when you order before February 28, you’ll be the very first to receive your items on March 6!

Click here to learn more and place your order!

What vendors are participating this year?

We hope to have nearly 100 vendor booths to visit during the pet party later this summer. You can see all of the sponsors and vendors participating in this year’s event by checking out the Vendor and Sponsor pages.

How can I become a sponsor or vendor?

We are now accepting sponsors and vendors for our 14th Annual Mardi Growl! For more information on getting your business involved, contact Stephanie Eastman Vozar at 865-215-6678 or e-mail seastmanvozar@young-williams.org.

Will you be doing Rabies vaccines and Microchips?

We hope we’ll be able to provide low cost rabies vaccines and microchipping during the event later this summer for $10 each. If your pet needs a spay/neuter surgery and vaccines now, please contact 865-215-6677 to schedule an appointment with our clinic or learn about other outreach days this spring.