This article first appeared in the St. Louis Beacon, Feb. 10, 2012 - If it's February in St. Louis, you know what that means: Get the good times rolling with Mardis Gras parties.
Mardi Gras momentum began building last week, but one of the most sumptuous events takes place Saturday and Sunday. The Taste of Soulard fills up the entire weekend with the bites and gulps from the Bastille, Big Daddy's, Franco, Joanie's, McGurk's, Nadine's, Soulard Coffee Garden and over a dozen more bars and restaurants.
On Sunday afternoon, take a pause from eating to enter your favorite cat (yeah, right -- try putting that boa thing on a cat) or canine in the annual Barkus Pet Parade at 1 p.m., or just come to watch. An hour later, pull for your favorite Dachshund at the Wiener Dog Derby
Of course, all this fanfare leads up to the Grand Parade next Saturday, Feb. 18, and the grand finale, the Fat Tuesday Parade on Feb. 21.
A full list of official Mardi Gras events can be found at www.mardigrasinc.com .
But you can also celebrate outside of Soulard tonight at the Sheldon's "Funky Dog Ball," featuring the Funky Butt Brass Band and Dogtown All-Stars in concert.
'Funky Dog Ball'
Where: Sheldon Concert Hall, 3648 Washington Blvd., 63108
When: 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10
How much: $15
Tickets/Information: www.thesheldon.org
Taste Of Soulard
Where: Participating Soulard eating establishments
When: Beginning 5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 11-12
How much: $25
Tickets/Information: www.mardigrasinc.com/events/southern-comfort-taste-of-soulard
Pet Parade
Where: Starts at corner of Allen and Menard in Soulard
When: 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12
How much: $10 for your pet to participate, benefits Open Door animal sanctuary
Tickets/Information: www.mardigrasinc.com/events/beggin-strips-barkus-pet-parade/
Wiener Dog Derby
Where: Soulard Market Park
When: 10 a.m. registration, 2 p.m. first heat; Sunday, Feb. 12
How much: $10 to register your Dachshund, free to watch
Tickets/Information: www.mardigrasinc.com/events/petsmart-wiener-dog-derby/#
Grand Parade
Where: Busch Stadium to Anheuser-Busch
When: 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18
How much: Free
Information: www.mardigrasinc.com/events/river-city-grand-parade
Fat Tuesday Parade
Where: Starts at corner of Washington and Broadway
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21
How much: Free
Information: www.mardigrasinc.com/events/lumiere-place-fat-tuesday-parade/#
Contact Beacon staff writer Nancy Fowler.
