Hey, people: next week is Twelfth Night. Not the Shakespeare play, but the 12th consecutive night after Christmas, which means that someone will stand at the top of the steps in front of Johnny’s Bar in Soulard to read the proclamation that kicks off Mardi Gras for another year. Then there will be a motley little foot parade through the streets of the neighborhood (often with percussion supplied by joyous local samba band, Joia) that’ll end up at Soulard Market, where people will cheer as the Mardi Gras flag is hoisted up the pole. Then, of course, the crowd commences to drinking in the Soulard Bar of their choice. No other way to kick of Mardi Gras, really…
Twelfth Night is a bit of a sleeper compared to some of the other events that really define St. Louis Mardi Gras—chiefly the parades, especially the Pet Parade and the Grand Parade (the downtown Fat Tuesday Parade is fun, too, but it’s at night and it’s just too damn cold for some of us). This year, Mardi Gras revelers will sadly have to do with out the warm, homey confines of The Shanti, which announced its closure at Mardi Gras 2014. (More on that here, here, and here.) On the other hand, Mardi Gras Inc. has added some new events, including the Snowman Softball Tournament and the Family Winter Carnival. Here’s the whole schedule, and you’ll notice that we’re on an early (read: colder) Lent/Easter schedule this year, so order your long johns from Lehman’s now:
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January 6
Twelfth Night, Johnny’s, 1017 Russell. 5 p.m. Free.
January 17-18
Snowman Softball Tournament, Forest Park Central Ballfields. 7:30 a.m. Free to watch, $150 per team to play.
January 24
Family Winter Carnival, Soulard Market Park, noon-4 p.m. Free.
January 30
Wine, Beer and Whiskey Taste, Soulard Market Park. 7-11 p.m. $40, $50 at the door.
January 31
Cajun Cook-Off featuring Tony Chachere’s Sampler, Soulard Market Park. Noon-4 p.m. $35, $45 at the door.
February 7
Run For Your Beads 5K, Soulard Neighborhood. 9 a.m. Registration $25 through January 30, $30 January 31 through the day of the race.
February 7 & 8
Southern Comfort Taste of Soulard, Soulard neighborhood. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Ticket/booklet $25.
February 8
Beggin’ Pet Parade and Weiner Dog Derby, Soulard Neighborhood. Pet Parade begins at 1 p.m.; $10 donation to Open Door Pet Sanctuary to walk, free to watch. Weiner Dog Derby follows the Pet Parade and is $10 to participate, free to watch.
February 13
Mayor’s Mardi Gras Ball, Saint Louis City Hall Rotunda. 7 p.m. Masquerate attire requested; $150-$3000.
February 14
Bud Light Grand Parade, Soulard neighborhood. 11 a.m. Free.
February 17
Fat Tuesday Parade, Downtown St. Louis. Pre-party 3 p.m. at Old Post Office Plaza, Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. Free.
Of course there are more details, and link to buy tickets for the stuff that requires tickets, on Mardi Gras Inc’s website. And just as we always do, we’ll post a long photo essay the day after the Pet Parade. To see our photos from Pet Parades of yore, click here.
