Soulard or Bust

Every year it's a crap shoot. Do you dress for the tundra or the beach -- or somewhere in between --on Mardi Gras Saturday? The answer is the same as always: who knows? The best course of action is to dress in layers of disposable clothing, and to just strip 'em off if necessary. What is certain is the route of the Mardi Gras Grand Parade. It starts rolling at 11 a.m. from the south side of Busch Stadium (Broadway and Poplar Street; www.stlmardigras.org), then continues south to the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. And once you're there in Soulard, you know what to do -- get a drink in hand and follow your instincts, and maybe enjoy this year's music headliners, Everclear and Eve 6. By now you should know that you can't bring backpacks, glass bottles, cans or coolers, and you can't pee anywhere except the provided toilets -- although that's really just basic human decency, isn't it? Admission to all this is free, but if you want to drink or eat you'll need to bring money.
Sat., March 1, 11 a.m., 2014