If you’ve ever wanted a good reason to put your dog in a tutu and stroll around the Williamson County Courthouse, here it is.
The POPP Pup Parade returns to Downtown Georgetown on Sunday, April 26th as part of this year’s Red Poppy Festival, and organizers are rolling out the red carpet, or rather, the red leash, for dogs of all breeds and their humans. The parade kicks off at 11:00 AM from the new Parking Garage and Visitors Center on 6th Street, winds down Austin Avenue, and wraps up at the Red Poppy Main Stage with a Pet Costume Contest judged by local celebrity panelists. Registration is open now at K9Parade.com, and a $10 donation is encouraged to support ROCK, a Georgetown nonprofit providing equine-assisted therapy to children, adults, and veterans.
Here’s the full press release from the City of Georgetown:
Georgetown’s 2026 Red Poppy Festival Invites Public to Walk
Their Dogs in the POPP Pup Parade and Pet Costume Contest
Georgetown, Texas (April 12, 2026) – Woof Woof…This year’s 2026 Red Poppy Festival will be something to bark about! The City of Georgetown is excited to announce that the pet-friendly POPP Pup Parade will again be making its way through Downtown Georgetown, named the Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas, Sunday April 26th at 11:00am as part of the Red Poppy Festival lineup. All pet owners are invited to walk in the parade by registering at K9Parade.com. A Pet Costume Contest will take place after the parade with amazing prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place winners.
The POPP Pup Parade will kick off from the new Parking Garage and Visitors Center in Downtown Georgetown at 6th St between Austin Ave and Main St, led by pets from local animal shelters that are available for adoption to their FURever homes, and closing with Georgetown Fire Department’s own Golden Retriever Koda and Lt. Jonathan Gilliam. The procession will make its way down Austin Avenue and around the sidewalk of the Williamson County Courthouse, then to the Red Poppy Main Stage for the Pet Costume Contest.
The event is free to participate, but organizers are asking those who are able to make a $10 donation which will go directly to ROCK, Ride-on Center for Kids in Georgetown, Texas. ROCK is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides equine-assisted services to children, adults, and veterans with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges.
Those wanting to participate in the Pet Costume Contest need to submit entries online at K9Parade.com with a picture of their pets in costume by Friday April 24th. The finalists will be announced at the end of the parade. The finalists will be judged by local celebrity judges, and the amazing 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will be chosen from the finalists in attendance.
Costume contest prizes include 3 months of Champion dog food for 1st Place, 2 months of PetCurean dog food for 2nd Place, and one month of Local Austin Nulo dog food for 3rd Place.
“We encourage pet owners to dress their pets in creative and fun costumes and strut along The Most Beautiful Town Square in Texas,” says Sharon Parker, Special Events & Marketing Program Manager for City of Georgetown, Director of the Georgetown Convention and Visitors Bureau.
POPP Pup Parade participants will receive swag bags of pet goodies provided by Wag Heaven.
Some of the manufacturers will be handling free samples and goodies, such as NutriSource, Nulo, Weruva, as well as Marble Falls Brothers Barkery. For more information and volunteer, please visit www.K9Parade.com.
General
- Pet Parade Registration forms must be filled out completely
- Maximum two pets per Owner/Handler.
- Please provide a thorough description of your pet and its costume on the Pet Costume Contest online entry form. This information will be used to announce your pet during the POPP Pup Parade, and information may be included in any post-event promotion, advertising, and media.
- Event officials reserve the right to refuse entry and/or excuse aggressive dogs from the event area.
- Most importantly, have fun!! We strive to provide a safe environment for you and your pet and appreciate your cooperation.
All participating pets must be
- Must be at least 6 months old.
- Wearing costumes that are safe and comfortable to move around in.
- Wearing I.D. tags at all times.
- With Owner/Handler at all times. Pets may not be left unattended and/or tethered to any fixture.
• Secured by a leash of six (6′) feet or less at all times. - Social and friendly to all others, including other pets and people. Any act of aggression will result in being asked to leave the event area.
- Up to date on all vaccinations and licensing as required by the State of Texas and/or Williamson County. Proof of rabies vaccination is required (documentation or current tag) at the event.
- Clean and appear to be in good physical and mental health.
- Spayed, neutered OR not in heat.
- Comfortable and at-ease with crowds, other pets, and noisy environments.
• Picked up after by their owners. - At the staging area (Wag Heaven) by 10:45 a.m.
Owners/Handlers will be held responsible for the actions of their dogs.
This event will be photographed and/or recorded by audio/visual equipment. By registering for the POPP Pup Parade, you give your permission and consent for the City of Georgetown and/or Wag Heaven to use the material for advertising and/or promotional purpose should you and/or your pet appear in any of the documentary material.
Comments