Margaret Orr is King of Barkus 2010.  She is the Chief meteorologist for WDSU in New Orleans since 1979. She earned a degree in English from L.S.U. and held a 4.0 in broadcast meteorology from Mississippi State. Margaret has been a long time supporter of Barkus and we can’t wait for her to lead the Barkus parade this year.

Wendy Diamond is the Celebrity Grand Marshal for 2010. She is the leading Pet Lifestyle Expert, TV personality and Animal Rescue Advocate. Author of two best selling books How To Understand Men Through Their Dogs and How to Understand Women Through Their Cats. Her new book will be released this February titled "It's A Dog's World". She is also the creator of Animal Fair magazine and website. For more information visit www.animalfair.com

FACTS & TRIVIA

• The King ascends through the ranks, usually after being a duke or grand marshall. This years King is Margaret Orr's dog Blue.
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• Jo Jo McWood is always the Captain, and now Captain Emeritus.
  
  
• The Queen is selected by secret ballot and announced only weeks before the parade, and is always a rescued/adopted female dog. Much like the Queen of Carnival, once selected her Majesty begins a whirlwind of activity - costume fittings, grooming, parties, media interviews, photo shoots, etc. (Queen does not necessarily ascend from a Duchess.)
  
  
• Every year the Krewe of Barkus donates the proceeds of the parade registration fees, merchandise sales, and ball profits to worthy animal welfare groups. These groups, most of whom volunteer to staff our events, are selected by the Board of Directors and must be non-profit 501(c)3 organizations actively engaged in animal welfare. Proceeds from Barkus 2005 benefited the Southern Animal Foundation, Looziana Basset Rescue, Friends of Jefferson Animal Shelter, Humane Society of Louisiana, Riverlands SPCA, Crescent City Rescue, Gulf Coast Doberman Rescue, Gulf South Golden Retriever Rescue, Proponents for Animal Welfare in St. Tammany (PAWS), and Tangipahoa Adopt A Rescue (TAAR). Proceeds from Barkus 2004 benefited Friends of Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter, Gulf South Golden Retriever Rescue, Humane Society of Louisiana, Jefferson SPCA, LA/SPCA, Louisiana Basset Rescue, Inc., Louisiana Search and Rescue Dog Team, Pearl River County SPCA, Proponents of Animal Welfare in St. Tammany (PAWS), Riverlands SPCA, Southern Animal Foundation, and Tangipahoa Adopt A Rescue (TAAR). Proceeds from Barkus 2003 benefited the Southern Animal Foundation, Humane Society of Louisiana, Tangipahoa Adoption and Rescue Organization, Riverlands SPCA, St. John Parish Animal Shelter, Jefferson SPCA, Old Gold Senior Dog Rescue, SpayMart, LA/SPCA, St. Francis Animal Sanctuary, GPA Greyhound Rescue, Louisiana Search & Rescue Dog Team, and Pearl River County SPCA. Proceeds from Barkus 2002 benefited the Humane Society of Louisiana, Southern Animal Foundation, SpayMart, Tangipahoa Adoption and Rescue Organization, Pearl River SPCA, LA/SPCA, Jefferson SPCA, and Louisiana Search & Rescue Foundation. (Beneficiaries from 2005 to be announced.)
  
  
• VIP Reviewing Stand is located on balcony of Good Friends Bar, corner of St. Ann and Dauphine, where King & Queen are toasted by New Orleans city officials and other important humans. Reviewing stand occupancy is restricted because of space limitations. Admittance is by invitation only with a limited number of tickets available at $75 each. (12noon-5pm)
  
  
• Whitney VIP Tent at Orleans & N. Rampart sponsored by Whitney National Bank, is located near Orleans & North Rampart Street. The Royal Court, as well as other VIPs, are treated to a private waiting area with food and drink, to await their royal promenade. Admittance is by invitation only with a limited number of tickets available at $50 each. Barkin' Up The Ritz Reserved Table of Ten, Top Dog, Leader of the Pack, and Lucky Dog registration levels include VIP tent passes. (10:30am-2pm)
  
  
• The Krewe of Barkus is a chartered, non-profit organization founded by Wood Enterprises, with the sole purpose of providing an entertaining parade for the human and canine citizens of New Orleans, and at the same time promoting adoption/rescue of homeless animals through our donations to animal welfare organizations.
  
  
• Krewe of Barkus is a real, licensed Mardi Gras krewe.
  
  
• Barkus is the dog equivalent of Bacchus.

Registration available online or packets available
after January 25 at the following locations: