Though the St. Louis Mardi Gras will never compete with New Orleans in magnitude, there is still much to be found in the madness of the Grand Parade and the surrounding festivities.
From the Taste of Soulard to the Fat Tuesday Fiesta, the party gets started much earlier this year.
This lively bash extends beyond Soulard all the way downtown. What started as a private party in 1980 has, in recent years, expanded to the point where the intimate confines of the Soulard neighborhood can no longer handle the crowds. So, events like the Mayor’s Mardi Gras Ball and the Fat Tuesday Parade are now held downtown.
The Grand Parade
The Grand Parade procession begins downtown at 11 a.m. this Saturday, Feb. 5 at 7th and Chouteau (right by the Eat-Rite Diner) and winds its way down Broadway to 7th Street past the Farmer’s Market.
At this point in the parade, the largest portion of the drinking crowd converges between Lafayette and Sidney to really begin the celebration.
Dozens of floats will be decked out with decor representing the 2005 theme, “Broadway on Broadway,” and besides the rolling Krewes and their dedication to musicals, hundreds of costumed marchers, bands and crazed groups like the Banana Bicycle Brigade will join in to entertain. For family friendly activities, the Family Fun Area at Broadway and Chouteau is filled with more age-appropriate entertainment and activities for kids.
After the parade ends, at approximately 2 p.m., thousands will swamp the streets and bars of Soulard to revel in extraordinary cuisine, Hurricanes, brew and beads.
The entertainment schedule is packed with talent and lunacy: 1860’s will have local blues stars Jimmy Lee and Tony Campanella; Patti and the Hitmen will play at Joanie’s; The Shanti will host the Schwag; Gladstone’s will feature the Delicious Fishes; and Bastille, Big Daddy’s and Hammerstone’s will all have DJs and patio parties to host the crowds.
Fat Tuesday
The Fat Tuesday celebration will take place on Feb. 8, starting at 6:30 p.m. on 10th Street between Washington Avenue and Locust.
The party zone is a fun-filled street festival featuring its own unique brand of entertainment, ranging from the campy to live music and other performers. Participating establishments will offer samples of signature dishes and plenty of refreshments for sale.
St. Louis recognizes the carnival season in many ways, most notably the Grand Parade and accompanying shindig in Soulard. Many places in the world commemorate Fat Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday, and it doesn’t go unnoticed in the Gateway City either. The event marks the end of the 2005 Mardi Gras and pre-Lenten season.
Spectators can expect much more from the downtown celebration than a simple procession. The parade will start in the Schlafly Tap Room parking lot at 21st Street and Locust, travel down Locust toward the Mississippi River, turn left on Tucker Street and go right on Washington Avenue through the loft district until concluding at 4th Street.
Observers can watch Krewes and entertainers from anywhere along the route, but celebration central, which will feature music, performing artists, and food and drink booths, will be at the Bud Light Party Zone on 10th Street between Locust and Washington Avenue.
After the Party Zone closes at 9:30 p.m., Fat Tuesday carousers who haven’t had enough have a few options.
They can visit the Washington Avenue clubs, skip down to Laclede’s Landing or catch a cab to Soulard. All bars in the previously mentioned areas will close at midnight.
