ST. LOUIS – The month of March starts with a Mardi-Party for St. Louis! Thousands gathered Saturday to celebrate the return of the city’s annual Mardi Gras parade.
Branded as the Bud Light Grand Parade, the event is a dazzling show that makes way from Downtown St. Louis to the Soulard neighborhood along Broadway.
Stretching several miles, the parade featured dozens of group entries. Visitors had the chance to see spirited floats, marching bands and performers. Participants threw out plenty of beads, candy, and other goodies for families to enjoy.
This year’s Mardi Gras parade marked the 45th in St. Louis history. It’s the headliner of a five-week-long celebration in Soulard leading up to “Fat Tuesday,” the Mardi Gras observance that is recognized on March 4 this year.
Soulard’s Mardi Gras festivities generate around $20 million each year for the local economy. Nearly one-quarter of parade visitors come from out of town, helping with the annual contribution.
While the origins of Mardi Gras stem from New Orleans, St. Louis also has some deep-rooted connections. Back in the 1790s, one southern area of St. Louis City was run by an upper Louisiana surveyor named Antoine Soulard. The neighborhood later embraced his namesake and began hosting Mardi Gras celebrations more than 200 years later.
Check out dozens of photos from Saturday’s parade above in the photo slideshow.