St. Louis Morning Briefing: Fat Tuesday Celebrations and Olympic Fever Take Center Stage
A Rainy Fat Tuesday in Soulard
Today marks the official end of the 2026 Mardi Gras season in St. Louis. While the massive Bud Light Grand Parade took place this past Saturday—falling on a rare Valentine's Day crossover—the city is still humming with the spirit of this year's theme: "Peace, Love, and Mardi Gras." For those heading out to Soulard today for the traditional Fat Tuesday festivities, be prepared for a damp one. Forecasts indicate a high chance of rain throughout the day with temperatures hovering in the low 40s. Despite the drizzle, the mood remains celebratory. Local favorite Voodoo Funky Butt is set to keep the party alive with their annual Fat Tuesday performance, ensuring the season ends on a high note before the Lenten period begins.
Olympic Break and Local Stars
The key talking point in sports circles this morning is the ongoing 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. With the St. Louis Blues currently on their league-wide Olympic break, the "Note" is well-represented on the world stage. St. Louisans have plenty of reasons to tune in today, as local products Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, along with Chesterfield’s Clayton Keller, are leading the charge for Team USA in men's ice hockey. On the women’s side, O’Fallon native Joy Dunne has been a standout as Team USA pushes through the quarterfinal stages. Even with the Enterprise Center quiet for the next week, the city’s hockey heartbeat remains strong through these hometown heroes.
Building the Team for Opening Day
While the weather might feel like the middle of winter, the city is already looking toward the return of baseball. A major hiring event is taking place today at Ballpark Village from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. As the Cardinals prepare for the upcoming season, the SLATE Missouri Job Center is helping fill hundreds of positions, from hospitality and front-of-house to management and security. It is a sure sign for many residents that the crack of the bat and the warmth of spring are just around the corner.
A Breath of Spring at the Botanical Garden
Our feel-good story today comes from the Missouri Botanical Garden, where the annual Orchid Show provides a much-needed splash of color. Featuring nearly 700 unique species and more than 6,000 individual plants, the show offers a tropical escape from today's rainy forecast. Visitors can witness the beauty of one of the world's most vast orchid collections, which includes several rare and endangered species being preserved right here in the heart of St. Louis. It is a reminder of the city's commitment to conservation and the simple joy of a bloom in mid-February.