By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – Law enforcement will be a major presence at the Soulard Mardi Gras Saturday.
St. Louis police will be there, as will agents from Missouri's Division of Alcohol and Tobacco Control.
Major Larry O'Toole with the St. Louis Police Department says he's not expecting any serious problems.
We really don't have any problems other than people who take alcohol and it has a negative influence on their behavior, O'Toole said. And those people we'll have to deal with appropriately.
O'Toole says police are expecting a larger crowd this year, but they don't know exactly how much larger.
He says the best place to park is downtown. Shuttle buses will then take revelers to Soulard.
The festivities begin at 11 a.m. with a parade. Outdoor alcohol sales will end at 8, and the bars will close at 11 p.m.