CAAWS Mystic Krewe of Mutts Parade & Bark in the Park

February 22,2026

10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Downtown Baton Rouge

 

Help make this another successful year for animals in our community! The CAAWS Mystic Krewe of Mutts Parade & Bark in the Park is CAAWS' largest annual fundraiser with 100% of the proceeds going to our shelter furbabies and spay and neuter programs. As a Bark in the Park vendor, you will be allowed to set up a tent to advertise your business with the option to sell items. Please read below and choose from the vendor options. We look forward to seeing you at Bark in the Park on Feb. 22!

REGISTRATION INFORMATION FOR VENDOR SPACE:

Entry Deadline: February 9, 2025

Registration fees for Non-Profits, For-Profits and Food Truck spaces are listed below...

• Registration will be on a first come, first served basis. 
• Non-profit groups will be asked to provide proof of 501(c)(3) status.
• Extra booth spaces are available for additional fees. 
• All vendors with animals on site must provide proof of liability insurance.
• Vendors will receive a confirmation email, map, parking pass, booth number & itinerary the week before event. Please contact CAAWS by emailing barkinthepark.caaws@gmail.com for more information
• Anyone interested in becoming a parade sponsor should email libbyhaydel1@yahoo.com.
• If planning to walk in the parade, pull a float, or participate in the costume contest, please register online at https://caaws.org/special_events/krewe-of-mutts/ or register at the CAAWS Registration tent on parade day after 10 a.m. You may carry a sign or banner at no additional charge.

RULES FOR VENDOR SPACE:

Vendors may set up only within allotted space within assigned location.

• Each booth space is marked within a 12x12 space.
• Extra 12x12 spaces may be purchased as an “Add On” to accommodate additional needs for the registered vendor and are considered one booth. The extra space cannot be identified under a different name.
• All tents, tables, equipment, crates, animal pens, etc. must fit within each designated 12x12 space. 
• Tables, chairs, tents, and signage are not provided.

Anyone selling snacks at their tent must use plastic beneath their prep and serving area.

Food trucks must not let grease or other ingredients hit the pavement. You are responsible for keeping your area clean per DDD. 

Street space for special vehicles/vans/trailers and food trucks:         

• Food Trucks will be in designated Bark in the Park zones – a special permit will be issued.
• No motorized vehicles or trailers are allowed on Galvez Plaza green space or walkways.
• No other vehicle parking is allowed in designated Bark in the Park zones along North Blvd or in Galvez Plaza area except for unloading or loading access points before 9 a.m. and after 4 p.m. 

Vendor space:

• All animals must be secured at all times.
• Electricity is not available, but generators are allowed in designated paved areas. 
• Please specify Grass (Towne Square Lawn) or Paved Surface (around library and Towne Square perimeter).

DAY OF EVENT: 

Vendors should arrive between 7:30-9 a.m.

• To alleviate congestion, plan to unload before setting up your booth. Do not set up until your site is marked (by 7:30).
• Volunteers will be available to assist with unloading and set up after 8 a.m.
• Volunteers will help you find your site, unload, and set up.
• Move your vehicle and park on side streets as soon as you unload.
• No parking allowed on North Blvd.

Please note that North Blvd. will close at 9 a.m. and vehicles are not allowed on the site at that time. Bark in the Park begins at 10 a.m.

• Information is available at the CAAWS Registration tent & volunteers will check with you throughout the day.
• If pre-registered for the parade or contests, pick up your passes at the CAAWS Registration tent after 10 a.m.

Site Set-up:

• Drilling into pavers is never allowed to secure tents.
• No banners, signs or other advertisements may be hung from trees, buildings, posts, fencing or affixed to any piece of public art.
• Each vendor is responsible to see that no damage or harm comes to the landscaping, fixtures, public art or any other features of the property.

Site Pick-up:

• Volunteers will help you take down and load.
• The street will reopen after 4 p.m. Please do not block street while loading.
• The DDD requires that the property will return in the exact condition found prior to event set-up.
• All trash, signage, equipment, other debris, or any other physical evidence that a special event took place MUST be removed immediately following the event.
• Leave trash in designated locations near the street for pick up or take everything with you.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

TERMS: 

It is agreed as follows: The Vendor hereby acknowledges that the Vendor has entered into an agreement with the CAAWS Mystic Krewe of Mutts to take part in, supply goods to, or sell goods at the event known as “CAAWS Bark in the Park” during the hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All applications are subject to approval by CAAWS and must comply with the Special Events Policy of the City of Baton Rouge and the Downtown Development District. All Vendors bringing animals must provide a copy of liability insurance. Non-profit groups may be asked to provide proof of 501(c)(3) status.

BY REGISTERING YOU AGREE TO THE FOLLOWING HOLD HARMLESS AGREEMENT: 

The vendor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless CAAWS from any claims of any kind arising from any act or failure to act by any representative of the organization and/or any animals under the organization's control. The vendor agrees that this waiver shall include any rights or causes of actions resulting from personal injury to anyone affiliated with the organization, animals under the organization's control, or anyone under the control of the organization, or the property of others sustained in connection with actions by the organization. The vendor further agrees to indemnify and hold harmless CAAWS, including its officers, directors, agents, volunteers, collectively or individually, from any claims of any kind arising from any act or failure to act by the organization, and people and animals under the organization's control. Finally, the vendor agrees to abide by any and all policies and procedures issued by CAAWS.

CAAWS is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization. Charitable contributions are tax deductable to the fullest extent of the law. 

 CAAWS is 100% volunteer based and receives no government funding. 

All donations, memberships, sponsorships and fundraisers go directly to animal care, medical expenses, shelter expenses, pet supplies, and community veterinary care assistance and spay/neuter programs.

Vendor fees and Sponsorships are charitable contributions that support the fulfillment of the CAAWS nonprofit mission and are also are meant to underwrite and support the Mystic Krewe of Mutts event with poceeds dedicated to fund community spay and neuter programs in our community.

Vendor fees and Sponsorships are a charitable gift and are tax-deductible (minus the value of any tangible benefits received in connection with the sponsorship).