Carnival Fever
decorated floats pulled by tractors are Red Ryder wagons or shopping carts cleverly decorated in festive themes . The oldest and most well-known dog parade in the city is the Krewe of Barkus , an amazing parade of pets and their owners that make its way through the French Quarter . The event , founded in 1993 , is a non-profit organization . The krewe was envisioned and created in 1992 at a meeting of the Margaret Orr ( WDSU-TV Weather Anchor ) Fan Club held at Good Friends Bar . Bar owner Tom Wood brought his dog Jo Jo McWood to the meeting , where people had opinions about her anxious behavior . In retaliation , Wood decided to make Jo Jo McWood queen of her own parade and captain-for-life . And that was the beginning of one of our most beloved Mardi Gras traditions .