Dan DaranciangWith Mardi Gras celebrations in St. Louis rumored to be second only to New Orleans, St. Louis might be called the “Second City of Mardi Gras.” Now with the Big Easy still recovering from Hurricane Katrina, the Gateway City has a shot to dethrone the No. 1 host with the 2006 Mardi Gras, Soulard’s 27th annual. Celebrations shift into full throttle this weekend, and over several hundred thousand people are expected to attend.
Whether or not the Katrina disaster will affect the size of Mardi Gras in St. Louis this year remains to be seen. Yet the celebration has grown steadily over the years, a popularity that can be attributed to one main factor, according to Mack Bradley, spokesperson for St. Louis Mardi Gras.
“Number one, it’s just a great party,” said Bradley. “It started in 1980 with 200 people, and this year we have two and a half times that number of police. This thing has grown. One thing that Soulard has demonstrated over and over is they love a great party.We don’t try to be New Orleans. We’ve got our own traditions and our own thing.”
Some of these traditions include one of the world’s largest pet parades, the proceeds of which will be split with the Jefferson Parish Animal Shelter in New Orleans, said Bradley.
Another unique aspect of the St. Louis Mardi Gras is the parade. In New Orleans, the organizations that put together the parade, known as krewes, produce the parade itself. Here, a non-for-profit organization, Mardi Gras Inc., produces the parade, leaving the krewes to concentrate on the floats, which can cost between $10,000-$30,000. This year’s parade will be the largest ever, with 115 floats, and is expected to raise more than $20,000 for the local economy, said Bradley.
This weekend’s events begin at City Hall, where Mayor Francis Slay will host the “Mayor’s Mardi Gras Ball Masquerade 2006.” Tickets begin at $100 and proceeds will support the city of St. Louis.
The Grand Parade sets sail Saturday, Feb. 25 at 11 a.m. The route begins in downtown St. Louis and is scheduled to arrive in Soulard at 2 p.m.
For Washington University students interested in attending the Grand Parade, the Campus Programming Council (CPC) is sponsoring two buses that will run continuously from the Business School between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday. A one-way trip costs $3, and unlimited trips cost $5.
“We had talked about [having buses] before,” said junior Shilpa Rupani, co-president of the CPC. “St. Louis has the second biggest Mardi Gras, and we want to make it easier for people to be able to take advantage of that and to experience what the city has to offer.”
The parade is not the only free show. This year, for the first time, spectators will have a choice of two stages for concerts. The Pontiac Stage in Pontiac Park (at 9th and Shenandoah), will feature the Wyld Stallyns at 3 p.m., and will be followed by Extremely Pointless at 4:45 p.m. and “Mini Kiss” at 6:30 p.m.
The real show, however, may be in the streets of Soulard, where beads and brews are sure to be prevalent.
While festivities abound, the combination of alcohol and a large crowd may lead some people to find themselves in trouble. St. Louis Police Major Larry O’Toole, Commander of the South Patrol Division, shared some tips to have a good time without regretting it.
“I would recommend that people park downtown and shuttle to Soulard,” said O’Toole. “People coming in are not allowed to bring bottles, cans or coolers. People with backpacks may be turned away at the entrance checkpoints, too.”
O’Toole noted that as with any big event, police will be “manpower intensive” at Mardi Gras.
“There will be additional manpower throughout the city and the event,” said O’Toole. “Mardi Gras will have no impact on the patrol on the streets of St. Louis, and people who are driving home should know that DWI enforcement will be strong.”
Mardi Gras produces “crimes of opportunity,” said O’Toole, who explained several ways to protect oneself from becoming a victim.
“Most of the crimes at these types of events are avoidable,” he said. “Somebody leaves their bag or purse or cell phone, and someone takes it. Many cars get broken into. If you have things in your car, put them in your trunk. And keep an eye on any items you bring with you, or don’t bring anything with you at all.”
One thing that never changes at Mardi Gras is the incidence of public urination. O’ Toole warns people to reconsider before relieving themselves somewhere inappropriate.
“People need to be respectful and responsible to the neighborhood of Soulard. When you do something like that, remember that is someone’s yard or home. Don’t trespass. Act like it’s your own neighborhood.”
O’ Toole said over 600 portable toilets will be available for use, and that Mardi Gras attendees should seek these out.
“The penalty for violating this is up to the judge,” said O’Toole. It could be a $500 fine and up to 90 days in jail. It’s not worth it.”
Bradley had some advice for college students planning to attend the celebration.
“If you’re under 21, don’t plan to drink,” said Bradley. “As usual, in addition to 500 cops, there will be undercover liquor control agents from Jefferson City whose only task is looking for underage drinking. Also, do not try to park in the neighborhood. The technical term for that is ‘silly.’ We’ve got 20 different shuttles running to the neighborhood.”
For more information, visit www.mardigrasinc.com.
-With additional reporting by Kristin McGrath