Fort Collins is bracing for an invasion this weekend — one of short legs, long bodies, and wagging tails.

The 10th Annual Tour De Corgi, a meet-up and carnival parade of corgis, kicks off at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Civic Center Park and through the streets of Old Town Fort Collins.

Founded in 2014 by corgi owner Tracy Stewart as Colorado’s answer to SoCal’s famous Corgi Beach Day, Tour De Corgi (a playful nod to Fort Collins’ Tour De Fat) has become the largest corgi meetup in the state, attracting hundreds of attendees each year.

For the uninitiated, corgis are known for their unique appearance—short legs, long bodies, and perky ears.

They gained fame as the beloved pets of the late Queen Elizabeth II and have since become internet darlings for their playful personalities and adorable “stumpiness.”

According to the Encyclopedia Brittanica, corgis were originally bred to herd cattle, and are intelligent, loyal, and full of charm. The two types of corgis are the Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis. Cardigans have larger, longer bodies, rounded ears, and long tails, and come in colors like brindle and merle. Pembrokes are more compact, with pointed ears and typically docked tails, with coat colors such as red and sable.

This year’s Tour De Corgi theme, “corgolympics,” promises a showcase of canine costumes inspired by various sports, athletic feats, and Olympic spirit.

Here’s the updated schedule for Saturday’s festivities:

2024 Tour De Corgi Schedule

Saturday, October 5, 2024:

• 8:00 a.m. – Vendor setup
• 9:00 a.m. – Registration, Meet-up & Vendor Booths open
• 10:00 a.m. – Costume Contest begins
• 12:00 p.m. – Parade starts at Civic Center Park
• 2:30 p.m. – Event concludes

The public is welcome to visit Civic Center Park and explore the dog-related vendor booths. Note that all adults must have a wristband to participate in the parade or costume contest. Wristbands, along with a limited supply of stickers and short-sleeved unisex t-shirts, will be available on the day of the event.

The costume contest at this year’s Tour de Corgi starts at 10 a.m. in Civic Center Park, with wristbands required for adult participants. Attendees are encouraged to get creative, as corgis will compete in categories including “Completely Creative,” “Purdiest,” “Baddest to the Bone,” “Funniest Furry,” “Greatest Group,” “Outstanding Olympian,” and “Outstanding Olympic Team.”

Judges will deliberate after the contest, followed by the presentation of prizes. The event will culminate in a parade through Old Town Fort Collins, set to begin at noon.

You can view this year’s parade route here:

Proceeds from the event benefit 4 Paws Pet Pantry, Colorado Corgis and Friends Rescue, Wyoming Dachshund and Corgi Rescue, and Bandit’s K9Care.

For up-to-the-minute information, you can join the Tour De Corgi Facebook page and group or visit the event’s website.