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Mardi Growl is a unique event for your fur babies! Your favourite pet pawty takes over Knoxville for one of the most fun parades in the USA.
Mardi Growl is a unique event for your fur babies! Your favorite pet party takes over Knoxville for one of the most fun parades in the USA.
- Visiting Knoxville for a Mardi Growl or special occasion? Book your stay close to Market Square, just steps from the city’s top tourist attractions and the Mardi Growl events.
The Event
- Knoxville’s Mardi Growl is a party for dog lovers everywhere. The event raises funds for the Young Williams Animal Centre and attracts dog lovers from across the state and beyond for a fun day of parades, competitions and parties.
- The parade features hundreds of costumed dogs and puppies making their way through the downtown streets of Knoxville in a blaze of colour, ribbons and more.
- Mardi Growl’s pet parade and costume contests will kick off at 11 a.m. Saturday. The parade route begins in the Old City and ends in Market Square.
- Stay at The Oliver, rated “Superb” by guests with a modern fitness centre, spacious rooms and highly-rated breakfasts. The hotel is close to all the Mardi Growl events.
The Route
- Mardi Growl parade begins on Willow Avenue in the Old City and winds to Jackson Avenue.
- The route turns south onto Gay Street, passing by a judges’ viewing stand at Krutch Park, and then turns onto Clinch Avenue to finish at the pet party on Market Square.
- The atmosphere is quite crazy during the event. And it is not just the pets who are costumed. Many owners don elaborate matching costumes while marching bands provide live music throughout the parade. Doggies disco, anyone?
The Pet Costume Contests
- The Pet costume contests are the most enjoyable part of Mardi Growl. Categories include Best Vol Spirit, Best Dawg Pack, Pet/Owner Look-a-like, Best Dog Couple, Most Unique Mixed Breed (Mutt), Best Costume and Best Naked Dog.
- The contests are broadcast on TV news stations across the state, and the event has received international media attention. Contest winners are announced at 12:30 p.m. on the Market Square stage.
Pet Party
- Visit the pet party in Market Square from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. The event includes more than 80 vendors, food trucks, face painting, live music and contest winner announcements. Several pet-related vendors will take part in the event and rescue groups with adoptable pets.
Mardi Growl Cajun Crawl
- Downtown Knoxville restaurants, bars and businesses are offering specials and events in the week leading up to Mardi Growl.
- The specials and events began on Feb. 28 and will continue through Saturday. Previous participants have included King Cake doughnuts from the Back Dough at Lonesome Dove, Mast General Store, and New Orleans cocktails from Oliver Royale and others.
Recommended Hotels
Here are the hotels we recommend with good reviews, close to all the action:
The Tennessean, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Graduate Knoxville, Hyatt Place Knoxville.
Where to stay close to all the gay bars
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
The Tennessean location is hard to beat:
across close to the shops and restaurants
For more information on
Mardi Growl Visit the website
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We have chosen hotels in Knoxville that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
Close to local shops and entertainment of downtown Knoxville, this hotel offers traditional southern hospitality with contemporary amenities, including an on-site restaurant and bar. Free WiFi is available. Every room provides a 55-inch flat-screen HDTV with premium cable channels. A small refrigerator and coffee machine are also included.
This hotel features an on-site bar, indoor pool, and free in-room Wi-Fi. The rooms at the Knoxville Crowne Plaza Hotel include warm colors and hardwood furniture. Guests can watch cable on the flat-screen TV. A work desk and coffee maker are also provided. The on-site gym is open 24 hours a day. Dry cleaning services are available.
Attractively set in the Downtown Knoxville district of Knoxville, Graduate Knoxville is situated less than 1 km from University of Tennessee Neyland Stadium. With a shared lounge, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom, desk and a flat-screen TV. Private parking is available on site.
Hyatt Place Knoxville/Downtown has a restaurant, fitness centre, a bar and shared lounge in Knoxville. This property also provides guests with a terrace. The accommodation features evening entertainment and a 24-hour front desk. Air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, a coffee machine, a microwave, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV
A snapshot of the Mardi Growl Parade!
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Expedia
We have chosen hotels in Knoxville that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
Along with a golf course, this smoke-free hotel has a restaurant and a 24-hour fitness center. Free breakfast, a free manager’s reception. Additionally, a bar/lounge, a 24-hour business center, and a coffee shop/café are onsite. All 176 rooms provide offer living rooms and refrigerators, plus free WiFi and LCD TVs with satellite channels, microwaves & room service
An indoor pool, a restaurant, and a fitness center are available at this smoke-free hotel. Free area shuttle are also provided. Additionally, a bar/lounge, a 24-hour business center, and a conference center are onsite. All 286 rooms offer free WiFi and free wired Internet, flat-screen TVs with cable channels, premium bedding and pillow menus. Refrigerators, room service, & coffee makers.
Along with a restaurant, this hotel has a 24-hour fitness center and a bar/lounge. Other amenities include a snack bar/deli, a coffee shop/café, and valet parking. All 320 rooms feature comforts like premium bedding and pillow menus, refrigerators and coffee makers. Free WiFi and MP3 docks are standard, as are LCD TVs with satellite channels. Housekeeping is available on request.
Along with a restaurant, this smoke-free hotel has a fitness center and a bar/lounge. Other amenities include a snack bar/deli, valet parking, and concierge services. All 28 rooms feature a minibars (stocked with some free items) and pillow menus, sitting areas and coffee makers. Other amenities available to guests include free WiFi, pillowtop beds, and premium bedding.