2014 Mardi Gras Celebration Sure to be a Safe and Fun Event

The Metropolitan Police Department, City of St. Louis welcomes residents and visitors to the annual St. Louis Mardi Gras celebration. In order to ensure a safe and fun celebration for all, the department would like to remind participants and spectators of traffic details, parking restrictions, liquor laws and other regulations that apply to Grand Parade Day on Saturday, March 1 and Fat Tuesday Parade Day on Tuesday, March 4.

There will be a significant police presence with officers patrolling in both uniform and undercover capacities. As another layer of security, the department has installed real-time cameras in the footprint of the parade and festivities.

While there is ample parking available in Downtown St. Louis, Metro Transit will offer a shuttle bus that operates every 15 minutes and makes a continuous loop between the Civic Center MetroLink Station (near Scottrade) and 10th and Marion Streets (near Soulard Farmers Market). Mardi Gras shuttle passes cost $5 per person and are valid from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturday, March 1 for roundtrip travel. The pass will be available for purchase on March 1 at the Civic Center MetroLink Station only, beginning at 9:00 a.m. For more information, visit www.metrostlouis.org.

Those choosing to drive are urged to "Park Smart" and park in well-lit, populated areas, concealing valuables, by placing them in compartments or the vehicle's trunk prior to arrival. Parade goers are strongly encouraged to leave firearms at home.

The Mardi Gras Grand Parade begins at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 1. The parade start point is at 7th Street and Cerre and it will proceed south on 7th to Chouteau, east on Chouteau to Broadway, south on Broadway until the 7th Street merge and finally continue south on 7th Street until it ends at Sidney. There is no parking along the parade route and any vehicles obstructing the parade route will be towed.

There will be no vehicle access in the "red" zone of Soulard. This area is marked by the following streets: Marion on the North, Broadway on the East, Shenandoah from Broadway to 11th and Ann from 11th to I-55 on the South and I-55 on the west. The "yellow zone" of Soulard is restricted to parking by permit only. Any vehicles without permits will be subject to ticketing and towing. The "yellow zone" is bound by the following streets: Ann from I-55 to 11th and Shenandoah from 11th to Broadway on the North; 7th Street on the East; Lynch on the South; I-55 on the west. The "yellow zone" also includes the area of Soulard that is north of I-55. That area is bound by the I-55, Tucker and Park. For all or portions of the day, the following streets will be closed: 6th Street from Cerre to Gratiot, Clark from 8th to Broadway and the entire "red zone" as defined in the above paragraph. The entire route of the Grand Parade will also be closed until Sunday evening.

The Fat Tuesday Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 4. The parade starts at Broadway and Washington Avenue and will proceed to North 14th Street and Washington where it ends. Washington Avenue will be closed between Broadway and North 14th Street. There is no parking along the parade route and any vehicles obstructing the parade route will be towed. The staging area for the parade will be on Broadway between Convention and Washington. The parade will disband north on 14th Street to Cole and east on Cole to Lumiere Place. Those roads will not be blocked but anyone in the area should be aware there will be significant delays as the parade disbands.

All questions regarding street closures should be directed to the City of St. Louis Streets Department.

Persons attending Mardi Gras are prohibited from bringing backpacks, coolers, bottles or cans into the festival area. This includes both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.  There will be perimeter checkpoints throughout the Soulard neighborhood. For more information on this year's event, visit www.stlmardigras.org.

Undercover officers and City Excise agents will be monitoring the area for underage drinking. Anyone under the age of 21 consuming alcoholic beverages and or e using false identification will be cited and subject to arrest.

Attendees are also reminded of ordinances and safety risks associated with roof top parties. Gathering on roof tops can potentially result in injuries to those on roofs and to those on the ground. Police will work closely with the City Building Commissioner to ensure roof tops are free of public attractions including bands, disc jockey's and bead tossing.

There will be portable toilets in the festival area. Anyone engaging in public urination will be subject to arrest. Persons engaging in lewd and indecent conduct or any other violations of the law will also be subject to arrest.

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