The Honorable Mayor Francis G. Slay and Kim Slay held court at the historic St. Louis City Hall Rotunda, hosting the 2016 Mayor’s Mardi Gras Ball, a majestic Masquerade, Friday February 5, 2016. This black-tie gala in City Hall lights up the eve of the Soulard Mardi Gras Grand Parade and represents the social event of the Carnivale season. Attendance reached nearly 900 guests drawing from both the public and private sectors and reflecting St. Louis’ diversity.

The revelry always commences with The “VIP” March from the Mayor’s Office down the grand staircase. New Orleans style jazz, led by the Funky Butt Brass, and pomp and circumstance envelop the spectators into the action. Fox 2 News’ John Pertzborn welcomed the guests and officially launched the party.

While the Funky Butt Brass Band started the party, the “lords and ladies laissez les bon temps rouler”, rocking the house to the Dirty Muggs and mingling with the Mayor’s Ball jesters and carnivale players. Signature drinks of the season, several varieties of Anheuser-Busch product, and cajun inspired cabaret dining abounded.

Tickets for the gala opened at $150, and thanks to the sponsors and guests, the net proceeds benefited the Mardi Gras Foundation, which awards annual Soulard Community Improvement Grants and has contributed to projects in Downtown St. Louis since 2003.

The Mardi Gras Foundation has granted well over $120,000 to the Soulard neighborhood for community improvement projects since its creation in 2003. These improvements are made possible by Mayor Francis Slay, who has hosted so graciously the Mayor’s Ball every year. The Mardi Gras Foundation works hard to give back to the St Louis community.