On Saturday, March 2, Young-Williams Animal Center is hosting its 17th Annual Mardi Growl from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The parade will begin in the Old City, traveling through downtown Knoxville and concluding at World’s Fair Park. The total distance of the parade is just over a mile long.
Mardi Growl is open for all families to join as well as their pets. After the parade, a festival ensues with several activities to look forward to, including pet costume contests, live music, vendors and games. Pets participating in the costume contest don’t have to walk in the parade, but they do have to be pre-registered. Young-Williams will judge participating pets in six categories: school spirit, celebrity look-alike, leader of the pack, two-of-a-kind, life of the paw-ty and best in show.
Mardi Growl benefits pets in need at Young-Williams Animal Center, which opened in 2001. Due to the growing number of homeless animals in Knoxville, attorneys Lindsay Young and Mark Williams were among concerned citizens who wanted to create better living conditions and a bigger space for shelter animals to be housed. The city, county and private citizens united to create the facility and provide care for shelter animals.
In 2010, Young-Williams Animal Center became more than a home as the second floor installed medical help like neuter surgeries. As of 2018, the animals live in a comfortable and clean, no-kill shelter where they are able to save at least 90% of the pets. This achievement partly comes from the support of the Mardi Growl parade, as it is the biggest campaign by Young-Williams Animal Center to help shelter animals live healthily, according to Knox News.
Chastedy Johnson is a public relations and marketing manager for the Young-Williams Animal Center. A graduate of Johnson University, she strongly believes in supporting nonprofit organizations, such as the animal center. Johnson has a great passion for caring for these animals and strives to help them in any way possible. She said she looks forward to Mardi Growl every year.
“My favorite part about Mardi Growl is seeing our community come together for a fun time with their pets,” Johnson said.
Funds acquired from Mardi Growl are put toward vital needs for animals, including food and health care expenses such as surgeries. Johnson further spoke on the importance of Mardi Growl and how it helps the animals in the shelter.
“We need these funds to take care of the homeless pets in our community, and we couldn’t do the lifesaving work we do without special events like Mardi Growl,” Johnson said.
Amber Mullins is the data and stewardship manager for Young-Williams Animal Center and graduated from UT in 2010. This is her first year working with the animal center.
“This is Knoxville’s biggest dog parade, and the City of Knoxville estimates over 10,000 people attend the festival every year,” Mullins said. “There are about 80 vendors including but not limited to, dog training, crafts, permanent jewelry and dog treats. There is something for everyone to enjoy.”
To learn more details regarding Young-Williams Animal Center’s 17th Annual Mardi Growl, visit their website.
