I’m still in shock. As I was going through my new calendar today I noticed that we are only about a month away from Mardi Gras. Fat Tuesday falls on February 5th this year. Fat Tuesday then Ash Wednesday and before long it’ll be Easter… and we’re still celebrating Christmas in our home. My daughter is up to the ninth day of Christmas and happily belted out what her true love gave to her earlier today as she eagerly awaits the Epiphany and the gifts she’ll get to open on Three Kings Day.
But, back to Mardi Gras. If you don’t have your hotel reservations made to party hard in New Orleans or Mobile, Alabama you may be out of luck. The aforementioned cities host massive Mardi Gras bashes and millions of revelers flock there to take part in the festivities.
If you can’t make it to Louisiana for Mardi Gras (or there is simply no place for you to stay) you could consider traveling to… Missouri. That’s right; smack in the middle of the nation sits a tiny village (population 4,400) with French roots that hosts its own legendary pre-Lenten party — a traditional ball that dates back more than 250 years.
The big gig takes place on the first Saturday of February in Ste. Genevieve, Missouri. That’s when residents and visitors of all ages get decked out in French colonial costumes and dance at the annual King’s Ball.
Ste. Genevieve is one of Missouri’s oldest settlements and is located about 60 miles south of St. Louis. Legend has it that each year the early Catholic settlers partied the last weekend before Lent with music, dancing and food. Today, the tradition continues and revelers fill the local VFW Hall for a traditional King’s Ball.
The event includes music played by a band that uses old-time mandolins and fiddles and a “caller” walks couples through each dance’s steps before the music starts. Costumes are encouraged, but not required. Costume shops around town rent traditional French colonial outfits, or you could just as easily make your own at home. For example, a girl could dress like a French peasant by simply putting on a white blouse and a peasant skirt. And boys could wear white shirts, calf-length pants, a cummerbund and long white socks.
Tickets to the ball are $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Guests are welcome to bring as much food and drink as they please otherwise food and beverages are sold at the hall.
For more information on the Mardi Gras festivities in Ste. Genevieve click here.
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