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Winter weather won't stop St. Louis' Mardi Gras tradition

"Mardi Gras is very special to us because we got married at the banana ball and that was 18 years ago," Leiber said.

ST. LOUIS – On Saturday, the weather could possibly put a damper on one of the biggest parties of the year, Mardi Gras. But, for many people, a little freezing rain won’t stop years of tradition.

Some people said they love Mardi Gras, and then there's Bonita Leiber and Chris Koehler

"These bikes are for the Mardi Gras parade tomorrow to go with our carousel theme.”

The couple has been a part of the festivities for the past 25 years.

"Mardi Gras is very special to us because we got married at the banana ball and that was 18 years ago," Leiber said.

The duo is a part of the "Banana Bike Brigade.”

Koehler and Leiber have participated in parades across the bi-state for years. This year for the Mardi Gras parade, they have bikes that well be dressed up as animal. And they’ll be circling around a golf cart--their makeshift float—which will act as a real-life carousel.

“We love doing this I love the smiles on people’s faces,” said Koehler

MORE: As Saturday nears, preparations underway for Mardi Gras parade

And as they're prepping for the parade. Molly's restaurant is preparing for a boat load of people. They expect to see about a thousand at their establishment.

The restaurant spent the day building tents to accommodate the amount of people set to come. The tents are heated to make sure people are warm in the sub-freezing temperatures.

Molly’s restaurant’s Micah Usher can't wait, it's been a long time coming.

"When I wake up in the morning, it’s just Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras, Mardi Gras and when I go to sleep it's Mardi Gras sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night and it's Mardi Gras,” said Usher

MORE: Here's what you need to know for Mardi Gras

He doesn't think the forecast will put a damper on things.

"Mardi Gras is not too hard of a sell it’s like a really good house party,” said Usher. “You hear about oh you got some drinks, you got some snacks, wait there's girls, oh I’m going to be there.”

Usher said the restaurant will be a substation for police. The business will have extra security to make sure everyone is having good, safe fun.

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