The neighborhood also hosts St. Louis' annual Mardi Gras event, which is one of the largest outside of New Orleans. Soulard also offers a free summer concert series and a year-round farmers market.

The Soulard Mardi Gras celebration is the second ... like Bess McCoy said they take pride in. “We put St. Louis on the map for a time of the year where most people aren’t going out.