The Soulard Mardi Gras season culminates with six events over the next two weekends
The 2025 Soulard Mardi Gras season is in full swing, and this weekend’s Community
Weekend promises excitement for all ages with a mix of fitness, food, and furry fun. Whether you’re
lacing up your running shoes, indulging in delicious Cajun cuisine, or dressing up your pet in festive
fashion, this weekend has something for everyone.
Soulard’s signature events, twelve between 12th Night and Fat Tuesday, generate more than $20 million
annually for the St. Louis regional economy and make St. Louis one of the largest Mardi Gras
celebrations in the world. More information and tickets are available at stlmardigras.org.
COMMUNITY WEEKEND EVENTS
Saturday, FEB. 22 / SUPPLEMENT SUPERSTORES 5K RUN FOR YOUR BEADS
There is only one race that is as fun-filled, colorful and delightfully wacky as Mardi Gras itself: The
Supplement Superstores 5K Run for Your Beads. This moving Mardi Gras celebration takes runners
through the streets of historic Soulard, complete with mid-race pitstops featuring beer and hurricanes
for runners of legal age. Come dressed in your Mardi Gras best – costumes are half the fun!
After the race, refuel and keep the party going with the Verizon Taste of Soulard. Sign up now at
stlmardigras.org or register at the Bud Light Party Centre (at 8th St. and Lafayette Ave.) at 7:30 a.m. on
the day of the event.
Starting Time: 9:00 a.m.
Soulard – Starts at 8th St. and Lafayette Ave.
Registration fee: $45
Saturday FEB. 22 and Sunday, FEB. 23 / VERIZON TASTE OF SOULARD
Discover the flavors that make Soulard famous with the Verizon Taste of Soulard! This self-guided pub
crawl invites you to explore the neighborhood’s renowned bars and restaurants while savoring Cajuninspired dishes and drinks. Each purchase includes one drink voucher and six food vouchers that can be redeemed at any participating establishment. On Saturday, the world-famous Horseshoe Casino Trolley Tramps will be shuttling hungry merrymakers to restaurants throughout the neighborhood.
Taste booklets are available at stlmardigras.org and available at any participating Verizon Taste of Soulard establishment on Feb. 22 and 23.
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day
Soulard Neighborhood
Booklets: $35
Sunday, FEB. 23 / PURINA PET PARADE
The Purina Pet Parade is a Guinness Book of World Records holder, the largest collection of costumed
dogs in the world. Some 1,500 pets—that’s 6,000 paws! Register your furry friend online or on the day of the event at 12th and Allen so you both can strut your stuff in style. The best-dressed pets will be selected as members of the Court of the Mystical Krewe of Barkus and will be invited to the Coronation Pageant at Soulard Market Park where the King and Queen of Barkus will be crowned.
All proceeds from the Purina Pet Parade benefit Open Door Animal Sanctuary, a no-kill shelter.
Registration: 10:00 a.m., Parade: 1:00 p.m.
Begins at 12th St. and Allen Ave.
Registration Fee: $10 donation
Free for spectators to watch the parade
Sunday, FEB. 23 / TITO’S VODKA WIENER DOG DERBY
After the parade, head to the Horseshoe Casino Stadium at Soulard Market Plaza for the nation’s
longest-running wiener dog derby. Known as “the slowest two minutes in sports racing,” the six-dog
elimination heats racing down a 30-foot track will each crown a winning wiener, who trots on to the
next round until a champion is crowned.
Register online at stlmardigras.org or register at the event. All proceeds from the Tito’s Wiener Dog
Derby benefit Open Door Animal Sanctuary, a no-kill shelter.
Registration: Opens at 10:00 a.m.
Opening Ceremonies: 1:45 pm or shortly after the Purina Pet Parade end
First Heat: 2:00 p.m.
Horseshoe Casino Stadium in Soulard Market Park
Entry Fee: $10 donation
Free for spectators
Sunday, FEB. 23 / FREE GREYLAN JAMES PERFORMANCE
After the parade, stick around for a FREE PERFORMANCE by Greylan James, one of Nashville’s
most exciting young breakout country stars, at 3:30 p.m. on the Bud Light Concert Stage at
Lafayette and 8th St.
Starts at 3:30 p.m.
8th St. and Lafayette Ave.
FREE!