Are you into cute canines? How about cute canines in costumes? What could be better than dogs decked out in their most adorable attire or flamboyant finery?  Don’t “paws” – hightail it to this event and catch all the fun and fur-volity on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023!

Photo courtesy of City of Saint Charles Special Events

By Peg Cameron Gill

You’re sure to get a kick out of the pooches on parade in Saint Charles, at the fourth annual Paw Parade! Who knows what clever costumes await. Poodles in poufs, Shelties in shorts, Westies in wigs? There are bound to be some silly sights.

It’s all for a good  cause, with proceeds benefiting the City of Saint Charles Animal Shelter.

Dogs will be parading down the streets of Frenchtown in their Fido finest to compete in a fur-ocious costume competition. There will be amazing prizes for both the costume contest and the Paw Parade raffle.

Photo courtesy of City of Saint Charles Special Events

The Paw Parade begins at 10 AM at Second Street and Randolph Street, and ends at the Vendor Fair, located at Clark and Main Street. Many pet-themed vendors in the area will be on hand at the Fair post-parade, from 11 AM–1 PM.

Event attendees will be able to shop for their pets from various boutiques, have their furry friend run through the foam machine from Petropolis, get their photo taken with their costumed companions in the free photo booth area, and grab some tasty treats for both themselves — and their pets! — from food trucks and pet-related vendors offering homemade pet food treats. 

Prizes will be awarded in four categories in the costume contest: Best Overall, Funniest, Most Creative, and Best Group. Prizes will include a variety of valuable gift baskets for both owners and their furry friends!

Photo courtesy of City of Saint Charles Special Events

To register your prized pooch for participation, and to learn more about the Saint Charles Paw Parade, click here

For more canine coverage of some amazing Missouri dogs, click here and here.

For hundreds more events, visit Missouri Life’s Event Calendar.