Ok, this is it. You’ve been training all year and the big day is finally here—Saturday is Mardi Gras!
(Technically no it isn’t. Actual Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, is the 13th, but day drinking on a Tuesday is apt to get you fired so we’re not here for it—unless you are. No judgment. But there’s no parade Tuesday.)
Anyway. Saturday. You’re going to need to get out there, with a plan of attack. (Far be it for us to assume you’ll be imbibing heavily, but you may want to consider alternative transportation.)
The Bud Light Grand Parade starts at 11 a.m. at Busch Stadium, wending its way through downtown and ending up in Soulard, like so many great parties do. The big finish is at the Anheuser-Busch Brewery.
You may think instinctively of New Orleans when you think of Mardi Gras, and for that you’ll be forgiven. But our fair city hosts what’s widely considered to be the country’s second-biggest—which means all the glory and far fewer barfing amateurs. This year’s parade is celebrating our unique history, with a tribute to the Muny’s hundred (!) years of delighting St. Louisans.
Parking is sure to be a bit of a mess, so think ahead. Ridesharing apps are an option, but if past years are any indication, you can expect surge prices to drain your virtual wallet. St. Louis Metro is offering special shuttles—six bucks gets you a roundtrip ticket between Mardi Gras and the Civic Center Transit Center.
Also—weather predictions point to Saturday being quite cold, with things getting very foul toward the end of the day. Layer up.
And if you see editor-in-chief Chris Andoe out there, flash him…a smile.
