By Rick Madewell
Assistant Editor

It’s Mardi Gras time in St. Cloud.

Really.

This year’s St. Cloud Life event will carry a slice of the famous New Orleans spectacle during its Celebrating Mardi Gras day, Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., at the St. Cloud Civic Center, 3001 17th St.

The touted community and business extravaganza will include a Taste of St. Cloud, where local restaurants will provide food samples, dessert sampling, a beer fest, wing wars and a spotlight on health and wellness information.

Wayne Treese, who serves as chairman of this year’s event, said local businesses are key to the annual event, sponsored by the St. Cloud Greater Osceola Chamber of Commerce.

“St. Cloud Life has a different theme each year, which gives businesses and organizers new and exciting ways to promote their products and services each year,” Treese said.

Previous St. Cloud Life themes include the “Wizard of Oz,” a pirate theme and last year’s beach party theme.

Treese said his main job during the event would be to make sure it runs smoothly and be sure that all who attend enjoy themselves.

“St. Cloud Life has something for everyone,” Treese said. “There is entertainment for people of all ages. People will get a true feeling of small community pride and the reality that St. Cloud has a lot to offer.”

Treese said one of his biggest disappointments about these events, however, is that not everyone who can join in does so.

“There are a lot of businesses that don’t take advantage of a unique opportunity to showcase their local business,” he said.

David Lane, president of the St. Cloud Greater Osceola Chamber of Commerce, said last year’s event brought in about 4,000 people, and he expects about the same number this year.

“As an expo, it is very successful bringing attendance,” he said. “Most chamber events run 1,000 to 2,500 (people). Chambers two to four times the size of St. Cloud’s Chamber seldom attract 2,000 people.”

But as much as he assures there will be plenty of fun for everyone, Lane also stressed what this event is not something that would get out of control.

“This is not about revelry and wild partying,” he said.

Lane said he and his staff work to gather the volunteers, activity participants, restaurants, bakers, beer sponsors and vendors. And the fun for him, he said, is making it all come together and seeing it succeed.

He added that in all of the events put on by the chamber, none has ever become a problem.

“We’ve never had rowdy crowds … even at the beer fest,” Lane said. “People are very civil while enjoying the event.”

According to the chamber president, staff and committee members spend a few months reviewing past events and consider new ideas and approaches.

“Every year we have made changes and additions … some being very substantial,” Lane said. “Our committee of volunteers is quite large. We develop many subcommittees, which take on a piece of the event.”