With nearby St. Louis hosting the second-largest Mardi Gras celebration in the country, it’s only natural that some of that tradition and fun spills into southwest Illinois.

But why is St. Louis second only to New Orleans? The answer lies in its French roots. Early settlers established the region and later crossed the river to build communities like Granite City. Inspired by that history and tradition of Mardi Gras, a group of life long friends launched a local Mardi Gras celebration five years ago. Its growing popularity led the city to embrace and carry on the tradition, giving family-friendly fun a place before the Lenten fast.

This year, the fun kicks off in Granite City on Saturday, Feb. 14, with a brand-new parade route beginning on 26th Street. The parade will travel down Madison Avenue, continue along Niedringhaus Avenue, and wrap up at Delmar Avenue near the cinema. From there, the celebration rolls right into Mardi at The Mills in the Downtown Granite City District, packed with food and drink vendors and two stages of live entertainment, keeping the party going until 8:30 p.m.

Celebrating its 20th year of redneck fun, Wordi Gras turns the town of Worden into a sea of purple, green, and gold with its own twist on the classic Mardi Gras celebration.

It all began in 2006 when bad weather derailed a group of friends’ plans to party in Soulard. Instead, they stayed home, called the town’s two local bars, and created their own high-energy celebration filled with beads, drinks, and over-the-top fun. The crazier, the better, as Worden locals like to say.

Grab your beads and join the party on Saturday, Feb. 14, kicking off with a parade on Park Street at 3 p.m., followed by festivities at the Yellow Dog Café and The Rustic until 10 p.m.

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