This weekend marks the final stretch of the month-long 27th Saint Louis Mardi Gras celebration, which this year is themed “Soulard Mardi Gras Celebrates the Small Screen.” The St. Louis tradition will continue with the Mayor’s Ball on Friday, parades on Saturday and Tuesday, concerts all weekend and booze flowing a little heavier than usual. However, this year, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Mardi Gras Inc. and city officials are expecting a surplus in addition to their anticipated half million attendance. In the past 10 years, Mardi Gras St. Louis has grown exponentially from a private, secluded festival in Soulard to the public, nationally acclaimed, second-largest Mardi Gras in the United States. “The attendance grows every year, and so we don’t know if regulars to the Big Easy bash are adding to this year’s attendance total,” Mardi Gras Inc. Public Relations Director Mack Bradley said. “We’ve never seen such devastation to New Orleans and its world-renowned Mardi Gras.” Whether or not New Orleans residents join the St. Louis scene, the explosive, boisterous event will still cause concern for police and neighborhood residents. The first St. Louis Mardi Gras celebration took place in a private, residential Soulard neighborhood 27 years ago. Longtime resident of Soulard Paul Kjorlie reminisced to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch about the original Soulard event for approximately 100 people: “It was a party put on by Hillary Clements at his house on Russell in 1980.” Now he believes the party of half million should find a new home. Over the following 19 years, Soulard and its celebration grew, and the Soulard Business Association took over management of Mardi Gras. Its numbers increased, and the Association decided the event should be run by its own organization. In 1999, the not-for-profit Mardi Gras Inc.was established after the commotion the Fat Tuesday celebration caused that year. Its growing attendance required more space, so Mardi Gras Inc. moved the Mayor’s Ball and the Fat Tuesday parade to downtown St. Louis. The weekend event transformed into a month-long event, including a house decorating contest, food tastings and a pet parade. Each of these events brings an economic boost to St. Louis and the surrounding area of Soulard, especially to its local businesses, said Bradley. “With 450 volunteers and a paid staff of two, including myself, the event brings in about $20 million every year.” Bradley also stated that within Mardi Gras Inc. is the Mardi Gras Foundation, which “devotes a portion of the Mayor’s Mardi Gras proceeds to supporting projects within the greater Soulard and downtown communities. The Foundation looks for projects that will have a substantial impact on the community. Where possible, the Foundation wants to either leverage additional funds through its grants, or provide funding necessary to complete a project.” This year, the Foundation awarded the Soulard Restoration Group, the Soulard Business Association, the Soulard School and the Frenchtown Dog Park. A total of $20,000, these Mardi Gras Foundation awards will contribute to the revitalization of Soulard, some immediately after Saturday’s Grand Parade and the Fat Tuesday Parade, by supporting a neighborhood wide trash pick-up initiative.The Grand Parade Saturday’s Grand Parade procession begins downtown at 11 a.m. at Seventh and Chouteau (by the Eat-Rite Diner) and winds its way down Broadway to Seventh Street and past the Farmer’s Market. Floats will be decked out with decor representing the 2006 theme, Celebrate the Small Screen, some with surprise celebrity guests. In addition to “the rolling ‘Krewes,’ decorated to pay tribute to TV shows and stars, hundreds of costumed marchers, bands and crazed groups like the Banana Bicycle Brigade will join to entertain,” said Bradley. The parade will end at approximately 2 p.m., and the celebration will continue with two concerts. One features Wyld Stallyns, Extremely Pointless and Mini Kiss at the Pontiac Stage, at Ninth and Shenandoah. The other features Jimmy Lee Kinnett, Little River Band and Deep Six at the GMC Stage, at Twelfth and Gravois. Bars and restaurants of downtown, Lafayette Square and Benton Park will also host individual celebrations, where people can revel in Cajun food, brew, beads and Hurricanes, a Mardi Gras specialty drink.Fat Tuesday The Fat Tuesday celebration will take place on Feb. 28, starting at 6:30 p.m., where approximately 50 units, including floats, marching groups, musicians and performers from the Grand Parade kick off the beginning of the end of the Mardi Gras season, at Fourteenth and Market. The parade rolls east down Market to Seventh Street, then goes north on Seventh until parting at Pine. “Mardi Gras organizers have moved the Bud Light Party Zone to Kiener Plaza for 2006. Food and beverages will be served, while live music and performance artists will entertain crowds between 4:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.,” said Bradley. “In order to be a great city, you have to do big things, and it’s something we’re known for,” Bradley said. “We’ve gotten national media. We’ve filled hotel rooms. We’ve got undercover liquor control agents. We’re ready.” Welcome to Mardi Gras ’06.