Every year, the vibrant streets of St. Louis come alive with the spirit of Mardi Gras, and amidst the jubilant crowds and dazzling floats, you’ll find a unique spectacle – the Banana Bike Brigade (BBB). This isn’t your average cycling group; the BBB is a krewe of creative souls who transform ordinary bicycles into rolling works of art, bringing laughter and whimsical charm to the annual Soulard Mardi Gras Grand Parade.
Once a more frequent sight with up to 30 public rides a year, the Banana Bike Brigade now focuses their energy on about 10 annual events, with the Soulard Mardi Gras parade being their grandest stage. Their workshop, a treasure trove of creativity located just south of Benton Park, serves as both a maintenance hub for their fleet of fantastical bikes and a social space for members. But even with meticulous preparation, last-minute tweaks are part of the BBB experience.
Saturday morning of Mardi Gras found the brigade congregating at the Soulard residence of Bunny Love and Bonita Leiber. As early as 7 a.m., members gathered in the backyard, some still winding down from the all-night revelry that is synonymous with Mardi Gras in Soulard. The neighborhood itself was already buzzing with energy, neighbors serenading the morning after hours of celebration. This is Mardi Gras energy, pure and unfiltered.
The morning was a flurry of activity, with final adjustments being made to costumes and bike decorations, all in the race to reach the pre-party staging area by 8 a.m. While they launched a bit later than planned, the BBB secured the 38th spot in the parade lineup by 9 a.m. In the staging area south of Busch Stadium, the brigade relaxed into the pre-parade excitement, sharing drinks and camaraderie. It’s not a wild, college-style party, but the festive spirit is definitely flowing, with beverages emerging from cleverly concealed compartments on their banana bikes and offered generously amongst the group.
This year’s theme, the St. Louis Zoo, was particularly fitting for Bob Bullock and Dan Hoadley, who unveiled their incredible creation: a whimsical rendition of the St. Louis Zoo’s miniature train. Their version, however, featured a live element – two well-behaved Dobermans, Sky and Star. The ingenious contraption boasted smoke effects, ringing bells, and rotating wheels, cleverly designed to appear as if powered by Sky and Star, thanks to the addition of wooden legs attached to the push-train. The dog-powered train and its handlers were an instant sensation in the staging area and continued to draw cheers and applause along the parade route. It’s a perfect blend of creativity and nostalgic charm, embodying the spirit of the Banana Bike Brigade.
With the kind permission of the BBB, I had the privilege of joining them on Saturday, my first immersion into the Grand Parade experience. Bonita Leiber kindly suggested I position myself between the krewe’s golf cart and the Doberman train, a spot I attempted to maintain. However, the infectious energy of the parade soon had me weaving through the street, surrounded by bicycles transformed into crocodiles, pelicans, seals, horses, giraffes, and zebras, their riders whistling and spreading joy. Despite a few new faces in the mix, the BBB’s parade expertise shone through. Their signature circular riding pattern unfolded seamlessly, a testament to years of experience, executed without a single mishap – no crashes, flat tires, or broken props.
After the parade concluded, the brigade split, half heading to watch the parade’s end, while the other half made their way back to their home base off Russell. Eventually, everyone reconvened there, the afternoon dissolving into relaxed conversation around the kitchen island indoors and stories shared by the warmth of an outdoor fire pit. My prior impression of the BBB – a welcoming and friendly group – was not only confirmed but deepened. It was exactly as I had hoped and imagined.
Walking the Grand Parade with the Banana Bike Brigade was, as anticipated, an exhilarating experience. From Busch Stadium in the north to the edge of the Anheuser-Busch brewery in the south, every moment was a sensory overload of vibrant visuals, lively sounds, and an overwhelming sense of community goodwill.
Hopefully, these words and accompanying images capture the unique and captivating performance art that is the Banana Bike Brigade. These are genuinely cool people, bringing a unique brand of joy to the streets of St. Louis, one banana bike at a time.
