FREE and FAMILY FRIENDLY

Break the cabin fever and bring the kids out to the Bank of Springfield Family Winter Carnival at Lift For LIfe Academy Elementary School. They'll get to enjoy a variety of arts & crafts projects as well as performers including:

• Making your own mask, cape, and crown
• Making your own noise maker
• Face painters, balloon artists, and more
• Make a Shoebox Float to enter in the BOS Shoebox Float Online Gallery
• Free popcorn and Coca Cola products
• Giveaways from Bank of Springfield (BOS)

Be one of the first 150 kids to arrive and receive a "Raising Cane's Achievement Award" good for 1 free Kids Combo Meal! 

And don't forget about the Childrens Parade at 3:00 p.m. led by the BOS Mascot when kids can wear their capes, crowns, and masks; use their noise makers and throw beads!

*This is an alcohol-free event

Shoebox Float Gallery

What's a parade without the floats! Well children from across St. Louis are invited to design their very own Mardi Gras float using shoeboxes. This one-of-a-kind activity will challenge everyone's creativity and craftiness, and get the experience of being the Mardi Gras parade director. 

Every child who enters a Shoebox Float in the online Gallery is welcome to bring their Shoebox Float to the BOS Float Gallery at the Purina Pet Parade in the staging lot at 12th and Allen and is invited to ride an actual Mardi Gras float in the Purina Pet Parade (must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and complete the waiver). In order to submit your float to the BOS Online Gallery and be eligible to ride a Mardi Gras float in the Purina Pet Parade click the button below and submit your float by January 31st. .

Each Mardi Gras Shoebox Float Designer will need to:

• Pick a Krewe Name (examples: Krewe du Kevin, The Wild Krewe of Wambats, Glitter Krewe)
• Float designers will have to dream up a theme based on our 2024 Soulard Mardi Gras theme, "Mardi Gras by the Numbers" 
• Choose the color scheme for the float. Remember, the traditional Mardi Gras colors are purple, green, and gold, but other color schemes can be used for the float's personal theme.
• Use a shoebox as the form for the mini Mardi Gras float. Attach the back of the shoe box lid to form a backdrop for the float. Feel free to use multiple shoeboxes depending on your chosen theme. Dream big!

Need creative inspiration? Here are Mardi Gras supplies you could use to decorate your Mardi Gras float. But you have the freedom to be as creative as you can be! 

• Mardi Gras beads
• Purple, green, and gold craft feathers
• Mardi Gras coins
• Mardi Gras garland
• Mardi Gras flags
• Metallic crown decorations
• Tinsel pipe cleaners
• Mardi Gras beads
• Glue and/or tape

Get creative and get creating! It's time to let the good times roll! Once you have completed your float, snap a photo and fill out the entry form below! 

2024 Submissions

(check back periodically for updates)