The historic brownstones that line the cobblestone streets have gotten a new lease on life with residents completely rehabbing old homes, and the new abodes that have popped up in between pay homage to the area's history with such meticulous care that new and old commingle with ease. 

St. Louis is known for it's strong French ancestry, and no where is it more apparent than in the Soulard and Lafayette Square neighborhoods. While Lafayette Square and Soulard may boast an nearly equal number mansard roofs and Napoleonic namesakes, Soulard keeps an upper hand in terms of paying dues to our French heritage because of the outrageous, annual Mardi Gras celebration that takes over the streets once a year.

Resplendent with beads, floats, parades and plenty of hurricanes, the Soulard Mardi Gras celebration is rumored to be one of the largest in the United States. And, indeed, there are quite a few traveling revelers that pass up Bourbon Street for our city's Russell Street party. The Mardi Gras party kicks off each year two Saturdays before Fat Tuesday with the annual Pet Parade and Weiner Dog Derby (this year it is scheduled for February 6), and the big guns come out the following Saturday (February 13 is the date this year) with the grand parade, party tents, stages, and of the usual Mardi Gras celebration accouterments. 

Mardi Gras in Soulard kicks off this weekend, Ferbruary 6 and goes until Fat Tuesday, February 16. For more information about the festivities check out mardigrasinc.com. To learn more about the Soulard neighborhood and history, check out Soulard.org.