St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis

Thousands line the streets to watch the St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis on February 9, 2013. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis

Parade goers plead for beads being thrown from floats during the St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis on February 9, 2013. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis

Parade goers, some in costume, plead for beads being thrown from floats during the St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis on February 9, 2013. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis

A parade goer climbs a tree for beads that have gotten stuck in a tree during the St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis on February 9, 2013. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis

Parade goers reach for beads being thrown from floats during the St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis on February 9, 2013. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis

Parade goers in multi colored wigs watch as floats go by during the St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis on February 9, 2013. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis

Parade goers reach for beads being thrown from floats during the St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis on February 9, 2013. UPI/Bill Greenblatt

St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis

Soulard Mardi Gras Grand Parade, February 9, 2013 (KMOX/Brad Choat)

St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis

Soulard Mardi Gras Grand Parade, February 9, 2013 (KMOX/Brad Choat)

St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis

Soulard Mardi Gras Grand Parade, February 9, 2013 (KMOX/Brad Choat)

St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis

Soulard Mardi Gras Grand Parade, February 9, 2013 (KMOX/Brad Choat)

St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis

Soulard Mardi Gras Grand Parade, February 9, 2013 (KMOX/Brad Choat)

St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis

Soulard Mardi Gras Grand Parade, February 9, 2013 (KMOX/Brad Choat)

St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis

Soulard Mardi Gras Grand Parade, February 9, 2013 (KMOX/Brad Choat)

St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis

Soulard Mardi Gras Grand Parade, February 9, 2013 (KMOX/Brad Choat)

St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis

Soulard Mardi Gras Grand Parade, February 9, 2013 (KMOX/Brad Choat)

St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis

Soulard Mardi Gras Grand Parade, February 9, 2013 (KMOX/Brad Choat)

St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis

Soulard Mardi Gras Grand Parade, February 9, 2013 (KMOX/Brad Choat)

St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis

Soulard Mardi Gras Grand Parade, February 9, 2013 (KMOX/Brad Choat)

St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis

Soulard Mardi Gras Grand Parade, February 9, 2013 (KMOX/Brad Choat)

St. Louis Mardi Gras parade in St. Louis