The 13th annual Mardi Growl Pet Parade and Festival, a benefit for Young-Williams Animal Center, will be held in downtown on Saturday, March 7, 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. 

Presented by Merchants of Beer, the celebration begins at 11 a.m. when the parade steps off from Willow Avenue and proceeds north on Central Street to Depot Avenue, west on Depot to Gay Street, south on Gay to Clinch Avenue, west on Clinch and north onto Market Street, where pups and people can continue the party on the street and in Market Square. More than 60 vendors, as well as food trucks, will be on site for the enjoyment of pets and people. 

Mayor Indya Kincannon is one of the judges of this year’s parade. The viewing stand will be on Gay Street at the Krutch Park Extension.

Temporary no-parking signs will be posted along the parade route starting at 9 a.m. During the parade, KPD officers will maintain a rolling roadblock along the route, preventing traffic from crossing the parade. 

Street parking on Willow Avenue between Central and Patton streets will close at 5 a.m. Saturday to accommodate parade registration and staging. The road will close to traffic at 7 a.m. and reopen at noon. Central Street between Jackson Avenue and Summit Hill Drive will close at 10:30 a.m. Gay Street between Magnolia and Church avenues will close at 11 a.m.

The following blocks will be closed to traffic between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m.:

- Market Street between Church and Union avenues
- Clinch Avenue between Walnut and Gay streets
- Union Avenue between Walnut and Gay streets

Participants are asked to pick up after pets. Waste bag dispensers are located downtown, or bring plastic bags from home. Dispose of waste properly in trash containers. 

Get more details at https://MardiGrowl.org.