Photos: Here's who we saw at the 2025 Soulard pet parade

Culture & History

Photos: The pups, pigs and furry friends who strutted in the annual Soulard pet parade

漏 2024 外网天堂 | By Brian Munoz

Published February 23, 2025 at 9:18 PM CST

Peach, a 13-year-old miniature poodle, peeks out of a stroller being maneuvered by Linda Heigert, of Staunton, during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood.

The Mardis Gras season is in full swing throughout St. Louis 鈥� especially in the buzzing streets of Soulard.

Thousands filled the south St. Louis neighborhood to showcase their pets at the 46th annual Purina Pet Parade. Organizers say the costumed parade is the largest event of its kind in the world.

"It's a beautiful weekend, a good weekend for families to enjoy the Mardi Gras season," said Soulard Mardi Gras spokeswoman Bess McCoy. "For all of our events, the numbers have been up. People are ready to get out and have a good time."

McCoy said around 1,500 pets 鈥� or, somewhere just shy of 6,000 paws 鈥� were registered for the parade this year. (Human turnout is a little trickier to estimate at the unticketed event, she said.)

David King, from St. Louis' Dogtown neighborhood, turned heads with his 15-year-old Pomeranian, Vincent, who was dressed up like Zoltar from the 1988 film "Big" while riding in a custom pet stroller designed to resemble a fortune teller box.

鈥淗e鈥檚 wise beyond his years,鈥� King said, referring to his dog, who celebrated his 11th parade. 鈥淗e usually dresses as a jester, but he's at the point now where he prefers to be carried.鈥�

As the years pass, King said he looks forward to the pet parade weekend as a relaxing way to celebrate the Mardi Gras season.

鈥淵ou come here to see everyone鈥檚 pets and just focus on the animals, having a good time,鈥� he said. 鈥淲ith great weather and a great neighborhood, it really makes for a perfect day.鈥�

The mostly pawless will be held in Soulard on March 1 at 11 a.m.

See photos from the parade below:

Former Fox 2 News Anchor Randi Naughton, left, walks Uno 鈥� a 7-year-old miniature horse 鈥� alongside her daughter Allex Matuszek, right, during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. — Former Fox 2 Anchor Randi Naughton, left, walks Uno 鈥� a 7-year-old miniature horse 鈥� alongside her daughter Allex Matuszek, right, during the Purina Pet Parade on Sunday.

Coen Griswold, 12, of south St. Louis County, reacts while holding Kiyago, a 17-year-old Macaw parrot, during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. — Coen Griswold, 12, of south St. Louis County, reacts while holding Kiyago, a 17-year-old macaw, during the Purina Pet Parade.

Floyd, a 4-year-old Poodle, hops up to greet Cindy hale, of St. Louis Carondelet neighborhood, during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Soulard. — Floyd, a 4-year-old poodle, hops up to greet Cindy Hale, of St. Louis' Carondelet neighborhood, during the Purina Pet Parade.

Vincent, a 15-year-old Pomeranian, is dressed as the fortune teller Zoltar during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. 鈥淗e's wise beyond his years,鈥� said his owner David King, adding he was excited he has participated in the parade for more than a decade. 鈥淲e got good weather and a good neighborhood. I think it makes for a great day.鈥� — Vincent, a 15-year-old Pomeranian, is dressed as the fortune teller Zoltar at Purina Pet Parade on Sunday. 鈥淗e's wise beyond his years,鈥� said his owner David King, adding he was excited to have participated in the parade for over a decade. 鈥淲e got good weather and a good neighborhood. I think it makes for a great day.鈥�

Tim Greenfield, of Troy, Ill., holds Tosha, a 3.5-year-old Boston Terrier dressed up as Marie Antoinette, during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. — Tim Greenfield, of Troy, Ill., holds Tosha, a 3.5-year-old Boston Terrier dressed up as Marie Antoinette, during the Purina Pet Parade on Sunday in Soulard.

Mia Wood tosses out beads during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. — Mia Wood tosses out beads during the Purina Pet Parade on Sunday.

Finnegan, a 3-year-old Great Pyrenees, yawns while strutting his stuff alongside Jennifer Schwartz, Leah Schwartz and her 3-year-old Great Pyrenees Nova, all of Waterloo, during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. — Finnegan, a 3-year-old Great Pyrenees, yawns while strutting alongside Jennifer Schwartz, Leah Schwartz and Nova, another 3-year-old Great Pyrenees, all of Waterloo, during the Purina Pet Parade on Sunday.

Clementine, of St. Louis鈥� Northampton neighborhood, and Clarice, of Barnhart, Mo., both 4.5-months-old English Bulldogs, strut their stuff during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in the city鈥檚 Soulard neighborhood. — Clementine, of St. Louis鈥� Northampton neighborhood, and Clarice, of Barnhart, both 4.5-months-old English Bulldogs, strut during the Purina Pet Parade on Sunday.

Jada Baker and John Egan, both of Kirkwood, with their 2-year-old Border Collie-Australian Shepherd mix Charlie and 5-year-old Pit Bull Django during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. — Jada Baker and John Egan, both of Kirkwood, with their 2-year-old Border Collie-Australian Shepherd mix Charlie and 5-year-old Pit Bull Django during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade.

Lucy Mertz, of Benton Park West, holds Ky, an 18-year-old Missouri Box Turtle, as Ellie, 6, pets her during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. — Lucy Mertz, of Benton Park West, holds Ky, an 18-year-old box turtle, as Ellie, 6, pets her head on Sunday.

Parade-goers watch hundreds of pets pass by while surrounded by their Golden Retrievers during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. — Parade-goers watch hundreds of pets pass by while surrounded by their golden retrievers during the Purina Pet Parade on Sunday in Soulard.

Marilyn Monroe, a 7-year-old English Bulldog, plays the roll of Scoobie Doo while surrounded by (from left): Christina Piotrowski, Bryan Piotrowski, Sophia Piotrowski, Max Piotrowski, and Christopher Piotrowski (off camera), during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. — Marilyn Monroe, a 7-year-old English bulldog, plays the role of Scooby-Doo while surrounded by [from left]: Christina Piotrowski, Bryan Piotrowski, Sophia Piotrowski, Max Piotrowski, and Christopher Piotrowski [off camera], during the Purina Pet Parade

Grace Kelly, of St. Charles, smooches Millie, her 3-year-old Boston Terrier, during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. — Grace Kelly, of St. Charles, smooches Millie, her 3-year-old Boston terrier on Sunday.

Corona, a 5-year-old Chihuahua, poses for a portrait during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. — Corona, a 5-year-old Chihuahua, poses for a portrait during the Purina Pet Parade.

Kujo, a 3-year-old Corgi, rides on the back of Barret Houska, 27, of Arnold, during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. — Kujo, a 3-year-old Corgi, rides on the back of Barrett Houska, 27, of Arnold, during the Purina Pet Parade.

Charlotte, a 2-year-old Juliana miniature pig, poses for a portrait during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. — Charlotte, a 2-year-old Juliana miniature pig from Coulterville, Ill., poses for a portrait on Sunday.

Bess McCoy, spokeswoman for St. Louis Mardis Gras, throws out beads during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. — Bess McCoy, spokeswoman for St. Louis Mardis Gras, throws out beads during the Purina Pet Parade on Sunday in Soulard.

Henry, a 7-year-old rottweiler, from House Springs, sits guard next to his fur siblings during the Purina Pet Parade on Sunday in Soulard.

Charlie Winfrey, of Maplewood, waves to the crowds during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. — Charlie Winfrey, of Maplewood, waves to the crowds during the Purina Pet Parade on Sunday.

Troy Jones, in the top hat, has his photo made alongside Speck, an 8-year-old Percheron Draft Horse, during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. — Troy Jones, in the top hat, has his photo made alongside Speck, an 8-year-old Percheron, during the Purina Pet Parade on Sunday in Soulard.

Katie Hoenig, off camera, of Granite City, holds Liv, her 8-month-old Poodle, during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. — Katie Hoenig, off camera, of Granite City, holds Liv, her 8-month-old poodle, during the Purina Pet Parade.

Jacques, a 3-year-old French Bulldog from Chesterfield, pops up from his stroller during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. — Jacques, a 3-year-old French bulldog from Chesterfield, pops up from his stroller during the Purina Pet Parade on Sunday.

Katie Roussin, of Affton, reacts while holding Julian, her 13-year-old long-haired Chihuahua during the Purina Pet Parade.

Brandi Borts, of Greenville, Ill., watches as her dog Hilario, a 4-year-old Neapolitan Mastiff, takes a snooze during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. Stitch, her and her husband Wes鈥� 1-year-old Chow Chow, stands on the left of the frame. — Brandi Borts, of Greenville, Ill., watches as her dog Hilario, a 4-year-old Neapolitan mastiff, snoozes during the Purina Pet Parade on Sunday in Soulard. Stitch, her 1-year-old chow chow, sits to the left of the frame.

Tyrek Pegues and Nautica McKiney, both of East St. Louis, react while showing off their 12 budgies during the 46th Annual Purina Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. — Tyrek Pegues and Nautica McKinney, both of East St. Louis, react while showing off their 12 budgies during the Purina Pet Parade on Sunday.

A group of Dachshunds bolt during the Tito's Vodka Wiener Dog Derby on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. — A group of dachshunds bolt during the Tito's Vodka Wiener Dog Derby on Sunday in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood.

The crowd reacts as a Dachshund bolts during the Tito's Vodka Wiener Dog Derby on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. — The crowd cheers as a dachshund runs in the Tito's Vodka Wiener Dog Derby on Sunday in Soulard.

A group of Dachshunds run to their owners during the Tito's Vodka Wiener Dog Derby on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. — A group of dachshunds run to their owners during the Tito's Vodka Wiener Dog Derby on Sunday.

Nora Sieckhaus, of Clayton, reacts after Moose, her 8-month-old Dachshund, raced in the Tito's Vodka Wiener Dog Derby on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in St. Louis鈥� Soulard neighborhood. — Nora Sieckhaus, of Clayton, reacts after Moose, her 8-month-old dachshund, raced in the Tito's Vodka Wiener Dog Derby on Sunday in Soulard.