Renaissance FEB 2024

2024 MARDI GRAS Volume xLIX Issue 1 Soulard Renaissance Living with History THE From the Editor Page 2 David Rudis at Soulard Art Gallery Page 6 Stark-Raving Rehabber Page 8 History Mystery: Soulard Market Page 10 Continued on Page 4 The 45th Soulard Mardi Gras is by the numbers, and they all add up to fun! From the Purina Pet Parade on Feb. 4 to the Bud Light Grand Parade on Feb. 10, led by Rex (King) Jim Resinger and a Grand Marshal to be announced before Grand Parade Weekend, there is something for everyone at Soulard Mardi Gras. Soulard’s signature events generate more than $20 million annually for the St. Louis regional economy and make St. Louis one of the largest Mardi Gras outposts in the world. The lineup of remaining events is below. More in- formation and tickets are available at stlmardigras.org. Family, Fun and Furry Friends Weekend Saturday, Feb. 3: There is only one race that is as fun-filled, colorful and slightly wacky as Mardi Gras itself: The Supplement Superstores 5KRun for Your Beads. This race embodies the fun and historic scenery of Soulard with mid- race pit stops stocked with beer and hur- ricanes for runners 21 and up. Runners often dress in their best Mardi Gras garb, because winning best costume is nearly as fun as winning the race in their divi- sion. Sign up now at stlmardigras.org or register at the Bud Light Party Centre (at 9th and Lafayette) at 7:30 a.m. on the day of the event. Starting time: 9 am. Starting location: 8th and Lafayette. Registration fee: $40 up to Jan. 24, $45 from Jan. 15 to Feb. 3. Saturday Feb. 3 and Sunday, Feb. 4: Choose your own culinary adventure with Taste of Soulard, a self-guided tasting and pub crawl of Cajun flavors. Each ticket booklet purchase includes one drink voucher and six food vouchers that can be redeemed at any participating establishment. Taste passes are available at stlmardigras.org and available at any participating Taste of Soulard establish- ment on Feb. 11 and 12. Time: 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day. Passes: $35 Sunday, Feb. 4: The Purina Pet Parade is a Guinness Book of World Records SUM FUN IN SOULARD 45 Years, 17 Million Beads, Uncountable Beers By Mardi Gras Inc. holder and the largest collection of costumed dogs in the world: 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 will go to benefit Open Door Animal Sanctuary, a no-kill shelter. Registration: 10 a.m., Parade: 1 p.m. Starting location: 12th and Allen. Registration Fee: $10 donation. Free for spectators. Sunday, Feb 4: The nation’s longest- running wiener dog derby takes center stage at Lumiere Place Stadium at Sou- lard Market Plaza. Whose pup is the dashingest dachshund in all the realm? Only the running of the Derby will tell. Six dog elimination heats, racing down a 30-foot track, will each determine a winning wiener, who trots on to the next round until a champion is crowned. Size doesn’t matter, so race classes are based on age: Cocktail Wieners (up to 4 years old); Hot Dogs (4-8 years old); Ball Park Franks (8 years and older); WienerWan- nabe (dogs small enough to fit in the starting box — okay, so size matters a little). Register online at stlmardigras.org and hit the ground running or register on race day. Registration: Opens at 10 a.m. Opening Ceremonies: 1:45 p.m. First Heat: 2 p.m. Entry Fee: $10 donation. Grand Parade Weekend Friday, Feb. 9: The Mayor’s Ball, which ALIVE Magazine and the River- front Times have called the “social event of the season,” is a must-attend gala that combines the elegance of the setting with the striking visuals of Mardi Gras. It features fine cuisine, cocktails, danc- ing and entertainment ranging from traditional to spectacular, including live music. The 22nd Mayor’s Ball will once again grace the Midway at St. Louis Union Station. With its soaring glass roof, brick arches, and spacious atrium, theMidway provides a spectacular venue —especially when given theMayor’s Ball design and production treatment. This charitable event is hosted by the Mardi Gras Foundation, and proceeds benefit Community Improvement Grants. The Ball has enabled $600,000 in grants to For Pet Parade and Run for Your Beads maps, see Page 4