We are now 1 week and 4 days away from the Mardi Gras 2013 Grand Parade, which trust me I understand, requires some preparation. You might be thinking, I need to stay in this weekend and drink plenty of water and rest and….blah blah. That is not an option, my friends. While I agree it’s important to be prepared for Mardi Gras, this weekend is not the time for it.

Rather, I want to to tell you about all of the super exciting things that you just can’t miss out on happening this weekend so that you can start preparing TODAY.

#1. Taste of Soulard: The annual Taste of Soulard is nothing to mess around with. There’s a lot of walking involved, combined with a lot of eating and a lot of drinking. You get me?

The event is both Saturday, Feb. 2nd and Sunday, Feb. 3rd from 11am-5pm.

General Admission tickets are $25.00 (include 6 food tasting samples and 1 drink ticket) 

Tips: Start early, grab a map and schedule your must-eats route and make sure to hit up those first. All food doesn’t always last until 5pm (and not all restaurants participate on Sunday). If you’re just in the mood to relax, check out the scenery and eat wherever, then come on Saturday and take the free trolley.

Here’s a small sample of what you’re in for: Crab Cakes from 1860’s Hardshell Cafe, Cajun Stuffed Mushrooms from Big Daddy’s, Mini Deep Fried Oyster Po Boys from Clementine’s, Blackened Chicken Creole Pizza from Joanie’s, Pulled Pork Tenderloin  from Social House, Crab Beignets with Green Chili Grits from Molly’s. Here ‘s the full list.

Moving on…

#2. Beggin’ Pet Parade: Another annual Mardi Gras event, it takes place on Sunday, Feb. 3rd at 1pm and it’s almost as good as the real parade. I mean, just look at these pictures:

 

 

 

 

 

Enough said:

So if you want to join the Pet Parade, register online. It’s $10 and line-up is at 10am. Or if you want to just come and watch from the sidelines, the parade starts at 1pm on the corner of Menard and Allen. Along with thousands of unbelievably cute dogs walking the streets, fun games, a photo booth and doggie bacon samples, there is also a live concert at 2:30pm by none other than:

 

 

Yes, that is Kevin Bacon! Kevin and Michael Bacon will serve as Grand Marshals and will perform some of The Bacon Brothers hits for St. Louis.

#3. 19th Annual PetSmart Wiener Dog Derby: Yes, another Mardi Gras Event. It takes place on Sunday, Feb. 3rd at 2pm in Soulard Market Park (8th and Lafayette). If you have a Daschund and you’d like to enter him or her into the race, registration is at 10am. It is $10 to register. Being that it’s at the same time as the Pet Parade, you can’t do both. Oh, but don’t worry if your Daschund is a “hot dog”, there are 3 heats: the Cocktail Wienies, BallPark Franks and Hot Dogs, so all are welcome.

#4. Naughti Gras: We’ve already discussed this event in full on another post, so I’ll be brief. It  takes place Friday, Feb. 1st and Saturday, Feb. 2nd from 7pm-1am, so you have plenty of time to check out all that is Mardi Gras and still have plenty of time to put your fancy clothes on and head out for some late night fun. Click here for all for the details.

#5. Super Bowl XLVII: Whether you’re going out to get loud and crazy at a local pub, making your famous bacon wrapped smokies and heading over to a friend’s place or hanging out at home, the biggest game of football season will be on with 2 brothers going head to head for that championship trophy and on top of that, Beyonce will be performing with the other members of Destiny’s Child, so I recommend tuning in. You can rest when you’re dead.

 

So St. Louis, what are you doing this weekend?

 

Brought to you by Mills Properties

Photos courtesy of Mardi Gras, Inc