Ian Somerhalder Hosts the 1st Annual Mardi Gras Mutts to Models Ball with Proceeds going to Charity

I cover and attend a lot of celebrity charitable events, and while I look forward to all of them, there’s one I’m really excited about because it involves dogs and Louisiana–two of my favorite things.

So get ready for cuteness overload as canines show off their best outfits down the runway for a good cause. The first-ever Mutts to Models ball is happening January 20th and Ian Somerhalder is hosting. The event will be held at the Fleur de Lis events center in Mandeville, near where the actor is from, and proceeds will benefit two organizations: the Ian Somerhalder Foundation, which empowers, educates and collaborates with people and organizations that have a positive impact on the planet and all its creatures; and Scott’s Wish, which provides aid for patients with leukemia and life-threatening illnesses.

The evening will start with a VIP cocktail reception followed by a show with celebrities, local philanthropists and media personalities walking the runway with their dogs. The runway event will be followed by an after-party.

General admission tickets are $125 in advance and details can be found at www.MuttsToModels.com.

So how did this amazing event come about? For 24 years, Louisiana’s famed “Mardi Paws” Parade has come at the tail end of Carnival season. This unique Mardi Gras parade designed for canine participants and their people takes place along the shores of Lake Pontchartrain in Mandeville, just across the causeway from New Orleans, on the Sunday after Fat Tuesday (that’s February 18, 2018). This season’s costumes will highlight “Fables, Fairy Tales & Nursery Rhymes.”

The event has become wildly popular, leaving folks begging for more Carnival season fun with a canine twist. At last the Mystic Krewe of Mardi Paws is fully embracing the social aspects of the season by hosting its first-ever Mardi Gras ball. The krewe is demonstrating that you can teach an old dog new tricks by introducing the Mutts to Models Ball.

There are still tickets ready for purchase, but they’re going fast so get yours at www.MuttstoModels.com. To plan ahead for the parade, please visit www.MardiPaws.com.