Animal Welfare League of Alexandria hosts third annual Mardi Growl

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The United States Patent and Trademark Office was transformed into New Orlean’s French Quarter as the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria hosted the third annual “Mardi Growl” party Friday night.

A masked, bead-bedecked and boa-clad crowd enjoyed “Howlicanes” and hors d’ouvres by Bittersweet Catering in Alexandria, Va., while listening to live jazz by Blu Neffu.

WJLA ABC 7’s Alison Starling was the Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening, and Benjamin Fiore-Walker, the Alexandria Town Crier, made an appearance. AWLA supporters Kerry and Eva Donley were named “King & Queen of the Krewe of Barkus.”

Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) stopped by to bid on a few silent auction items and rub elbows with his fellow animal-loving constituents.

The event, AWLA’s largest annual fundraiser, included jesters on stilts, caricature artists and a packed dance floor.

To learn more about the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria check out their website www.alexandriaanimals.org.