Mardi Gras in St. Louis is one of the country’s biggest parties. Thousands of people fill the historic French neighborhood, Soulard, and enjoy an array of events over the course of several weeks, ranging from scavenger hunts and a 5K run to a wiener dog derby and pet parade. And of course – colorful beads and adult beverages are a key component of the big celebration. This guide highlights what to expect and provides recommendations for where to eat and stay so your Soulard Mardi Gras experience is one for the books – Laissez les bon temps rouler!
While Mardi Gras is often linked to New Orleans, Soulard Mardi Gras has earned a notable reputation as well. Since 1980, this French-settled community has welcomed tens of thousands of visitors each year. It started out modestly, with five young men who had big plans and a small budget of $1,250. The group managed to host the first Soulard Mardi Gras, drawing a crowd of 200 attendees. The night concluded with marching through the streets, to a local Irish Pub, as trombones and horns filled the sky with festive music. From there, the rest is history, and Soulard is now known as one of the most popular Mardi Gras celebrations nationwide.
A free and family friendly event, this carnival features arts and crafts projects, performers, face painters, balloon artists and more. Kids can make their own mask, cape, crown, and noise maker to wear in the Children’s Parade at 3:00 p.m.
If you’re going to explore Soulard, you might as well make it a competition! Solve riddles to reveal the next establishment on the hunt, where your team will then answer trivia questions and perform challenges. The group with the most points receives a prize and can revel in their victory at the Post-Hunt Award Ceremony.
The Cajun Cook-Off is a competition between talented amateur chefs from the surrounding region. The chefs will prepare their dishes for a panel of judges while you enjoy a traditional Cajun lunch with an open bar and live music.
Experience some of the best flavors of the neighborhood on a self-guided restaurant and pub crawl through Soulard. Each pass includes one drink voucher and six food vouchers that can be redeemed at any of the participating establishments.
Is your dashing dachshund ready for race day? Watch wiener dogs sprint down a 30-foot track to earn the title of fastest weenie in the city. While the race is only for pups, humans can compete in the best hat contest.
Holding the Guinness World Record Holder for the biggest costumed pet parade, the Purina Pet Parade is an adorable display of four-legged furry friends who put on their best strut throughout the streets of Soulard. The event concludes with a Coronation Pageant, where the best-dressed pets serve on the Court of the Mystical Krewe of Barkus and the King and Queen of Barkus will be crowned.
Choose your favorite gown or tuxedo and prepare yourself for an evening of fine dining and elegance. Featuring live entertainment, an open bar, circus performers aerialists and stilt walkers, and so much more, this must-attend gala is the “social event of the season.”
Join thousands of people at one of the biggest Mardi Gras parades in the country and the main event of the Soulard celebration. The party begins at Busch Stadium and proceeds through the streets of Downtown South and Soulard all the way to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery.
Mardi Gras traces its roots back to the ancient Roman festivals of Saturnalia and Lupercalia, which were traditionally held in December and February. The boisterous festivals celebrated fertility and the upcoming spring. After Christianity became the state religion of Rome, it is believed church leaders found it easier to include the popular pagan traditions in the new faith instead of banning them.
Today, Mardi Gras is a last hurrah for people to eat, drink and cavort before the start of Lent, a period of time traditionally marked by fasting and abstinence. While many places throughout the world celebrate Mardi Gras, the festivities in St. Louis are among the largest. So whether you’re celebrating for religious reasons or because you enjoy jovial festivities, be safe and enjoy making your Soulard Mardi Gras memories!
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