by Dennis Dalman
This fall, on Sept. 11, the Tri-County Humane Society’s annual companion walk, dubbed “Mardi Paws” this year, will take place in person, in petson.
Last year, the major fundraiser had to be online “virtual” due to the virus pandemic.
Not this time! Starting as early as 8 a.m., people and their beloved pets will gather at Wilson Park along the Mississippi River in east St. Cloud. There they can enjoy food, socializing, games for people and pets, kiddie activities and more.
At 10 a.m., the 1k walk and the 5k walk will begin, led by the Benton County Mounted Patrol. After the walks, pets and people can return to the park and hang around until 1 p.m. to enjoy more food and fun.
People who can’t attend the event can still enjoy it or contribute to it because “Mardi Paws” will be live on Facebook.
Typically, every year, about 500 people and 50 pets (mostly dogs) take the fundraising walks. Each year the walk has a theme, such as “Woofstock” walk (for Woodstock the famous music festival). This year’s “Mardi Paws” is a pun on “Mardi Gras,” the annual festival in New Orleans, which is French for “Fat Tuesday.” Many participants in Mardi Paws will sport wild or whimsical costumes just as Mardi Gras celebrants do. Some pets, too, will wear fun costumes.
Participants hope to raise $55,000 for the humane society during the event.
For a fundraising walker’s form or other ways to help or to contribute funds, visit the following website: tri-countyhumanesociety.org/walk.
Vicki Davis, executive director of the Tri-County Humane Society, tries on for size the costume she will wear at the Sept. 8 annual fundraising walk at Wilson Park. This year’s event is dubbed “Marty Paws” a pun on the famous New Orleans celebration, Mardi Gras.
