St. Louis Comes Alive with the 2011 Mardi Gras

St. Louis may not compare in grandiose fashion to those mega- metropolises like New York, Chicago, or Los Angeles. But St. Louis has a big heart for such a small town and knows how to throw a party. And the residents and visitors know how to party. Do they ever! As Mardi Gras fast approaches, St. Louis has scheduled numerous events throughout the month of February leading right up to the ultimate party night, Fat Tuesday, to make this the biggest and best Mardi Gras celebration in the country north of Nu Awlins.

February 12th marks the day for the family to enjoy the Mardi Gras festivities The U.S. Cellular Family Winter Carnival takes place in Soulard Market Park from 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. Activities and live performances certain to entertain and amuse the entire family followed by a children's parade at 4:00 P.M.

The Mardi Gras Wine and Beer Taste event is held at the World Fair Pavilion in Forest Park on February 18th. Tickets are $30.00. Wine, beer and food samples are included in the ticket price. The Pavilion will also be the venue for the Crystal Cajun Cook-off where professional and amateur chefs will clash to prepare the best in Cajun cooking. Tickets are $30.00 which includes samplings of Cajun cuisine and beverages.

February 26-27 finds various establishments in the Soulard neighborhood joining forces for the Southern Comfort Taste of Soulard event. Tickets can be purchased to taste the mouth watering creations prepared by the numerous restaurants and pubs in the area.

Let us not forget our pets during this time of Mardi Gras festivities in St. Louis. Dogs and cats alike have their day on February 27 at the Beggin Pet Parade. Dress your dog or cat (or both) for this well loved pet parade. Registration is $10.00 and proceeds go to a worthy cause.

Have a wiener dog who just is not into parading? Enter him or her in the Petsmart Wiener Dog Derby also held in the Soulard area. Registration is $10 and the first heat begins at 2:00 P.M. in Soulard Market Park.

Large parades through the streets are a Mardi Gras tradition and St. Louis boasts two of the best. The River City Casino Parade is held March 5th beginning at 11:00 in front of Busch Stadium and winds its way down to the Anheuser Busch Brewery. On March 8th, Fat Tuesday, the night lights up with the Lumiere Place Parade. The parade starts at 7:00 P.M. at Washington and Broadway traveling through downtown St. Louis.

Of course the revelry continues in the Soulard area where the bars, pubs and restaurants cater to the festivities as tens of thousands of party goers enjoy Mardi Gras in St. Louis.

St. Louis is the place to be for the 2011 Mardi Gras. For more information, go to www.stlmardigras.org