(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) Preparations have been in the works for weeks, and the annual Mardi Gras celebration in St. Joseph took place Saturday night.
"All of the bars downtown have something different and fun to go to, live bands, DJ's, karaoke, drag queen show, just all kinds of stuff at each and every venue. Something fun and different for everybody," said Tracy Allen with the Downtown Association.
The celebrations have continued in downtown St. Joseph for eleven years.
"It's had its ups and downs because of the parade routes changing, these last three years it's gotten bigger and better and back on track. The first three years were phenomenal, and now the last three years are getting bigger," said Allen.
And this year, some new venues are bringing more fun and frolic to Felix Street.
"We have new venues, we have Tremors that wasn't here with us last year, and we have The Villa that wasn't with us last year. We have the nice big Ground Round which is awesome, a good place to go and downtown is very excited that we had them join is this year," said Allen.
"There's a lot going on downtown, all year long and it's exciting to be down here and be part of it," said owner of Ground Round, Marcia Hayes.
Ground Round has called St. Joseph home since 1972, but this is the first year they're in the middle of the Mardi Gras party.
Another rookie this year is The Villa, where they're hosting a drag queen show.
"Tons of planning and preparation goes into Mardi Gras, just the odd things you don't think about, getting the float ready for the parade and making sure everything is here for the entertainers," said Tyler Rhode, Co-owner of The Villa.
These local businesses are helping to keep the tradition alive.
"It's sponsored by the Downtown Association, and let's face it, with all of the bars on Felix Street, sometimes up to nine venues. What better place to have it then in downtown St. Joe," said Allen.
This year, the Mardi Gras parade had the first ever female Grand Marshal... Rhabecca Boerkircher with the St. Joseph Downtown Association.
"All of the bars downtown have something different and fun to go to, live bands, DJ's, karaoke, drag queen show, just all kinds of stuff at each and every venue. Something fun and different for everybody," said Tracy Allen with the Downtown Association.
The celebrations have continued in downtown St. Joseph for eleven years.
"It's had its ups and downs because of the parade routes changing, these last three years it's gotten bigger and better and back on track. The first three years were phenomenal, and now the last three years are getting bigger," said Allen.
And this year, some new venues are bringing more fun and frolic to Felix Street.
"We have new venues, we have Tremors that wasn't here with us last year, and we have The Villa that wasn't with us last year. We have the nice big Ground Round which is awesome, a good place to go and downtown is very excited that we had them join is this year," said Allen.
"There's a lot going on downtown, all year long and it's exciting to be down here and be part of it," said owner of Ground Round, Marcia Hayes.
Ground Round has called St. Joseph home since 1972, but this is the first year they're in the middle of the Mardi Gras party.
Another rookie this year is The Villa, where they're hosting a drag queen show.
"Tons of planning and preparation goes into Mardi Gras, just the odd things you don't think about, getting the float ready for the parade and making sure everything is here for the entertainers," said Tyler Rhode, Co-owner of The Villa.
These local businesses are helping to keep the tradition alive.
"It's sponsored by the Downtown Association, and let's face it, with all of the bars on Felix Street, sometimes up to nine venues. What better place to have it then in downtown St. Joe," said Allen.
This year, the Mardi Gras parade had the first ever female Grand Marshal... Rhabecca Boerkircher with the St. Joseph Downtown Association.
