On Sunday afternoon, February 8, 2026, the French Quarter belonged to the dogs. At precisely 1 p.m., the Mystic Krewe of Barkus trotted through the historic streets, delivering one of Carnival’s most joyful and delightfully offbeat traditions. Now in its 33rd year, the all-canine Mardi Gras parade once again proved that New Orleans has a special talent for blending whimsy, community, and pure heart—this time on four legs.
The 2026 Barkus theme, “Wicked & Wagging: Barkus Believes in Change for Good,” leaned into pop culture flair while celebrating positivity and progress. As expected, the streets filled with costumed pups, proud pet parents, and spectators lining the Quarter with cameras ready. Barkus is the only Mardi Gras krewe dedicated entirely to the canine population, and its annual parade has drawn up to 1,500 dogs in past years—a number that felt entirely believable as the procession snaked past balconies and down cobblestone streets.
This year’s royal court brought a celebrity twist. King JoJo Kravitz, son of musician Lenny Kravitz, and Queen Drift Torres I, daughter of New Orleans sanitation leader Sidney Torres IV, served as human figureheads. The true royalty, however, were their dogs: Jojo, the Barkus King, and Drift I, the Barkus Queen. Both dogs were potcakes—mixed-breed Caribbean strays traditionally fed from the leftover “cakes” at the bottom of stew pots—rescued from the streets of Eleuthera in the Bahamas, where the Kravitz and Torres families maintain neighboring compounds.
King Jojo was dressed in rocker-inspired leather, a playful nod to his famous father, while Queen Drift embraced a bright lemon-themed look, reflecting her dad’s role in keeping the city “lemony fresh.” Rumors ahead of the parade proved true when King Jojo’s entourage tossed guitar-themed throws into the crowd, sending spectators scrambling with smiles and laughter.
Leading the parade as Celebrity Grand Marshal was Nacho Moreno, a black, 7-year-old French bulldog owned by New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno and her husband, Chris Meeks. Nacho soaked up the attention with effortless charm, earning cheers at every turn. The Official Grand Marshal, Gumbeaux (Beaux) Pittman, an English bulldog belonging to Keith Pittman and Judge Robin D. Pittman of the Northshore, brought stately bulldog gravitas to the role. Rounding out the krewe leadership was the Earl of Barkus, Chief Sittin Bull, a brindle boxer owned by Allyson and Cedric Patin of New Orleans.
Beyond the costumes and cuteness, Barkus carries a surprisingly rich history. The Mystic Krewe of Barkus was founded in 1993 and remains a nonprofit organization, created with the same irreverent spirit that defines so much of Carnival. Its origins trace back to November 1992, during a meeting of the Margaret Orr Fan Club at the Good Friends Bar. When Thomas Wood brought his dog, Jo Jo McWood, to the gathering, her “neurotic” behavior sparked complaints. Wood’s response was legendary: he declared Jo Jo McWood the queen of her own parade—and captain-for-life.
The first official Krewe meeting followed on January 25, 1993, where, after many beers, Jo Jo McWood was elected Queen Barkus I and Jager Freeman was named King Barkus I. The inaugural theme, “Welcome to the Flea Market,” set the tone for decades of humor, satire, and unapologetic fun.
That spirit was alive and well in 2026. Dogs strutted in costumes inspired by pop culture, fantasy, and pure silliness, while their humans followed suit. The French Quarter buzzed with laughter, tail wags, and spontaneous applause as spectators greeted familiar neighborhood pups and first-time Barkus participants alike.
More than just a parade, Barkus felt like a love letter to New Orleans’ pet-friendly culture and its ability to celebrate everyone—even the four-legged members of the community. In a city known for pageantry, the Mystic Krewe of Barkus once again carved out a space that was inclusive, joyful, and irresistibly fun.
As the last dog cleared the route and the crowd dispersed into nearby bars and cafés, one thing was clear: Barkus remains one of Mardi Gras’ most beloved traditions. Equal parts absurd and heartfelt, the 2026 parade proved that in New Orleans, even Carnival royalty can wag its tail.
See the 2026 Mardi Gras Parade Schedule Here.