St. Louis Mardi Gras Celebrates 'American Treasures' in one of America's Largest Mardi Gras Celebrations
ST. LOUIS, March 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The River City Grand Parade gets a bit grander in 2011, with celebrations of some of America's greatest treasures. This year's 32nd River City Casino Grand Parade on Saturday, March 5, 2011, is the centerpiece of Mardi Gras in St. Louis, one of the nation's largest Mardi Gras celebrations. More than 100 floats, bands, lawn-chair brigades and other entries will energize the 2011 Grand Parade, St. Louis' biggest event.
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110304/CG59354)
PARADE THEME AND 2011 GRAND MARSHALS:
The 2011 Grand Parade theme is "American Treasures." In honor of this unique theme, our parade krewes have come up with some amazing floats, including Fort Knox, American Bandstand, Mickey Mouse, Fast Food, Las Vegas, Drive-In Theatres, Mark Twain, and of course, the Gateway Arch.
Even more special in 2011, we will have some real American Treasures as our Grand Marshals—honored veterans from every branch of military service (Army, Army Air Corps, Air Force, Navy, Marines and Coast Guard). These veterans have served the United States in World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan.
WORLD WAR II
- Norman Geller –Army Air Corps
- Jim Thomas –Navy
- Harrison Ochs –Coast Guard
KOREA
- Wilbert Sexauer –Army
- Carlton Norton –Navy
- Glen McFarland –Air Force
- Bob Widenauffer –Army
VIETNAM
- Phil Pippins –Mo. Jr. Vice Cmdr., Veterans of Foreign Wars, Marines
- James Lorenz –Navy
- Wayne Langbecker –Air Force
- Tom Mundell –Army
- Stan Ransom –Coast Guard
DESERT STORM IRAQ/AFGHANISTAN
- Richard Stone –Army
- Stephanie Dolan –Navy
"We are so pleased to be able to honor these true American Treasures," said Tim Lorson, Prime Minister of Mardi Gras, Inc. "As we thought about Grand Marshals for 2011, it became clear that these men and women are our country's treasures. Although the River City Grand Parade has only a land component, we hope our sea- and air-based vets feel equally at home!"
River City Grand Parade
WHEN:
Saturday, March 5, 2011, parade begins at 11 a.m.
WHERE:
From one Busch to another—the River City Grand Parade begins at the staging lot at 7th and Cerre Streets (just southwest of Busch Stadium) and ends in the city’s historic Soulard neighborhood, near Anheuser-Busch.
About St. Louis Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras, Inc., a 501(c)(4) not for profit organization, is responsible for producing the Mardi Gras celebration in St. Louis, which is celebrating its 32nd year in 2011 and is now recognized as one of the largest pre-Lenten celebrations in the United States.
The seven-week festival consists of fourteen official events and attracts many thousands of attendees from throughout the United States. Mardi Gras activities generate more than $20 million for the St. Louis regional economy, according to the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association.
For more information on Mardi Gras in St. Louis, visit STLMardiGras.org or follow us on Twitter @STLMardiGras.
SOURCE Mardi Gras, Inc.
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