Sophie Smith, left, and Hayden Falgout, right, enjoy the festivities at Meridian Mardi Gras on Saturday with their grandmother, Lisa.

Meridianites, visitors, people and pets flocked to downtown Meridian on Saturday as the festivities got underway for the 2024 Meridian Mardi Gras celebration. The annual event offered a variety of food vendors, bounce houses, live music and more to keep festival goers of all ages happy and well fed.

Saturday’s festival also included the Krewe of Barkus costume contest, in which local dogs compete for the title of Queen and King of the festival and are honored in the Krewe of Barkus parade. This year’s Queen was P, a Peek-a-poo owned by Terri and Ronni Fairchild. Joining P was King Louie, a Schnauzer owned by Belinda Sowers.

Following the Krewe of Barkus parade was the Krewe of Midas parade, honoring the human Mardi Gras King and Queen, Matt Schanrock and Morgan Dudley.