COSTUME CONTEST

One-of-a-kind FUN trophies!

A Big PAWS UP to local artist Vanessa Hock with The Little Potter's House in Covington who has been lending her talent creating the one-of-a-kind poop trophies for us!

Do you have what it takes to bring home the coveted "poop" trophy?

The Costume Contest is FREE TO ENTER, but you and your pup must be costuming around the 2025 theme to be eligible to win the coveted "poop" trophy along with lots of other PAW-some prizes! Com-paw-tition is friendly but fierce, so get your saws buzzing!

Fetch great prizes! The Top Ten "BEST IN SHOW" winners truest to the theme bring home the "Big Poop" Trophy, the Ten "Best in Show" RUNNER-UPS bring home the almost-as-coveted "Mini Poop" Trophy, and ALL WINNERS bring home paw-some prize packs!

Each year the krewe picks a theme for the parade, and the costuming and floats reflect those themes.

Most Mardi Gras parades do not have a costume contest, but MARDI PAWS does!

It's FREE to enter, but you and your pup must be celebrating that year's theme to be eligible to win the coveted "poop" trophy along with lots of other PAW-some prizes! But don't worry, ANY costumes are welcome and encouraged!

WANT TO WIN?
COSTUME to fit the 2025 theme...
GAME ON! We're celebrating all things game related!

2025 Costume Contest Rules

1. No group is too large or too small to participate - but you must be a "paid" parade participant.

2. Everyone who wants to participate in the costume contest MUST BE RESPONSIBLE FOR STOPPING AT THE PARADE STARTING LINE TO HAVE THEIR PHOTO TAKEN. This area will have a volunteer present and will be clearly marked. We want to make sure you are aware your photo needs to be snapped, as sometimes a photographer may overlook someone. We use photos post-parade as part of the judging procedure!

3. Your Race Number must be clearly visible at all points in the parade to be considered.

4. The first phase of judging will take place at the Reviewing Stand by the judges. But don't worry, everyone's photograph will be reviewed and judged later also. If you don't see your photos on Facebook when the Costume Contest Participants are posted, please send us a photo of your group to be included!

5. WINNERS ARE NOT BE ANNOUNCED AT THE PARADE! You do not need to stay around or make it to the parade's end to win. All winners will be notified no later than one week after the parade, and their names/numbers will be posted on-line also.

6. Pick up your trophy and prizes at our Post-parade PAWTY - THE POOP AWARDS - usually held the second Saturday after the parade! Everyone is welcome, and location details will be announced nearer the parade. Winners do not have to attend our Post-parade party to receive their prize, but it is preferable.

7. We have a professional panel of 10-12 celebrity judges who will be weighing in on the contestants!

GOOD LUCK!

We have ten to twelve judges that weigh in after the parade after they have reviewed all the costume contest parade photos posted on-line.

We slot every judge’s top 20 choices (parade numbers) into a grid and winners are chosen based on the number of points each contestant/s are given overall.

We wanted to take a moment and let you know some of the criteria they use in making their selections. Most importantly is how well the contestant’s costuming/float fits the theme.

In addition, they are looking for creativity when it comes to selecting an idea. One thing that can hurt an entrant is if there are too many similar ideas. Often you won’t stand out when there are so many to choose from and costumes and floats start looking alike or having the same appeal.

It doesn't matter if you enter as one person and one dog, or ten people and ten dogs; they are looking for that special combination of uniqueness and creativity when selecting the winners. If things are close, they often go back to the originality and detail of the costumes and floats.

Ruth BARK-er Ginsburg weighs in on the judging