Party Across America by Michael Guerriero

Author:Michael Guerriero
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ebook, book
Publisher: Adams Media, an F+W Media Company
Published: 2009-07-15T00:00:00+00:00

party tip

We Fest is the original home of the “Midwest breast enlargement.” Knowing that this is the last place they’ll get frisked, certain daring cowgirls make it a point to smuggle bottles of booze in their brassieres. Keep this in mind when someone offers you a swig.

Missouri

SOULARD MARDI GRAS

St. Louis, Missouri

Saturday before Fat Tuesday through Fat Tuesday

www.mardigrasinc.com

For close to thirty years St. Louis has been hosting a Mardi Gras blowout that gives those feisty folks in New Orleans a run for their money—and their beads. The six-week-long party in the Gateway to the West is the region’s largest and longest celebration. It’s also a glamorous glutton’s hog heaven!

Taking place in Soulard, the second largest Mardi Gras celebration in the country attracts 500,000 of the area’s most extreme festivalgoers. Soulard, a French neighborhood located just south of downtown St. Louis, is loaded with restaurants, shops, and watering holes. This residential area, one of the oldest sections of the city, is a total mob scene throughout the weekend. The festival officially begins on the “Twelfth Night,” twelve days after Christmas, and ends six weeks later, when a hundred thousand livers simultaneously fail on Fat Tuesday.

Events leading up to the final week include wine tasting, a Cajun cookoff, children’s fairs, and the world’s largest pet parade. Sure these events are fun, but the party-wise and true Mardi Gras revelers begin to invade St. Louis on the final Saturday of the event.

The Pyramid Grand Parade begins at 11:00 a.m. in downtown St. Louis on Saturday, winding its way into Soulard. The parade is comprised of over 100 elaborate floats manned by costumed Cajuns, waving to hundreds of thousands of onlookers along the streets. Families and children are welcome to observe, but when the parade ends at 2:00 p.m., Mardi Gras becomes an “adults-only” party.

In similar fashion to a caged lion being set free, festivalgoers storm the streets as soon as the final float has zipped by. With necklaces in tow and beers in hand, the die-hard Mardi Gras contingent begins a flesh-for-beads free-for-all. The often chilly costume party encompasses the entire neighborhood of Soulard. Head for the party tents if it’s cold— they charge a cover fee, but have food and drink specials galore, along with live music and indoor plumbing. Two headlining bands, which in the past have included They Might Be Giants and Dr. John, play the outdoor stages near Broadway Street. Do not bring outside beverages into the party.

The revelry continues on through Fat Tuesday when a “Light Up the Night” parade showcases Saturday’s best floats. The beads make their final appearance during the postparade street debauchery, which includes a Miss Soulard Mardi Gras contest.

TRANSPORTATION

AIR: Flights should be booked into Lambert-St. Louis International Airport (STL / www.lambert-stlouis.com ) located sixteen miles from downtown St. Louis. Car-rental agencies are available.

SHUTTLE: If driving, park at a downtown lot and take the free shuttle to Soulard. Take the Green Shuttle from lots at Tenth and Spruce, Ninth and Clark, or Clark and Tucker. The Purple Shuttle leaves from Clark and in-between Broadway and Fourth.

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