Get Out and Enjoy All Kinds of Activities

 As the weather recovers, the pace of family activities is definitely on the rise. Check these choices:

Museum of the Dog

 This 14,000 square-foot building which includes the historic Jarville House along with over 700 original paintings, drawing, watercolors, sculptures and various other art objects depicting man’s best friend is exhibiting canine photographs from the 2011 Art Show at the Dog Show held annually in Wichita, Kans. The exhibit is being held in the Sally Johnson Spillane Special Exhibit Gallery.

 Where/When: Feb. 18 – April 23. Queeny Park, 1701 S. Mason Rd., Ballwin, Mo.; Tuesday through Saturday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday: 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

Price: Adults, $5.00; children (5-14), $1.00; seniors, $2.50.

Information: 314-821-3647; www.museumofthedog.org.

St. Charles Mardi Gras Parade

 The Historic Frenchtown District of St. Charles will host an alcohol-free, family-friendly parade complete with beads and floats in honor of Mardi Gras. The parade route begins at Sundermeier RV Park, then left on Second Street, left on Clark Street, and ending at the Foundry Art Centre. Appropriate Mardi Gras costumes welcome.

 Where/When: Feb. 26, 3 p.m. Sundermeier RV Park, 111 Transit St.

Price: Free

Information: 800-366-4247; www.historicfrenchtown.com

The Museum of Westward Expansion

In honor of Black History Month, the Museum is presenting a program at the Old Courthouse and Gateway Arch Museum of Westward Expansion featuring the “Blacks in the 19th Century West” led by a ranger. There will also be historic trial reenactments and children’s stories.

Where/When: Feb. 25, 26. The Old Courthouse, 11 N. Fourth St., is open daily from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. the Museum of Westward Expansion, 11 N. Fourth St., is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Price: Free

Information: 314-655-1700. www.slfp.com

 Mardi Gras Petsmart Wiener Dog Derby

Dachshund lovers will bring their little wiener dogs to Soulard Market Park for the 17th Annual Wiener Dog Derby. This event has become one of the most popular events of the Mardi Gras celebration. The dachshunds race in three divisions based on age: Cocktail Wienies, Ballpark Franks, and Hot Dogs. Trophy presentation ceremony will be in the Wiener’s Circle.

Where/When: Feb. 26. Soulard Market Park, 9th Street and Lafayette Avenue. Registration begins at 10 a.m. First heat is at 2 p.m.

Price: Free Admission. Registration fee is $10. Registration can be the day of the race or online at www.mardigrasinc.com/events/weiner-dog-frace-form/

Information: www.mardigrasinc.com

Downtown St. Louis Idiotarod

The Downtown St. Louis Second Annual Idiotarod will take place this weekend. This race is much like the Alaska Iditarod minus the dogs and sleds. Instead, teams of five people will pull shopping carts through the city, stopping at five checkpoints to complete challenges in order to continue on course. Teams must have a theme to be incorporated into their costumes and carts. Included in the competition is a virtual food collected for Operation Food Search.

Where/When: Feb. 25, 11 a.m., for Corporate Cup Competition; Feb. 26, 11 a.m. for Open Competition.  Old Post Office Plaza, 801 Locust St.

Price: Free to watch. $50 to $100 per team to participate.

Information: 314-436-6500, ext. 237. www.downtownstl.org/Play/kmurphy@downttownstl.org.

Professional Bull Riders

 Grab your cowboy boots, hat, and that big old belt buckle. The Professional Bull Riders are in town. Check out the best bull riders in the world as they compete for the prestigious Enterprise Rent-A-Car Invitational Title. the event will feature the top 40 bull riders in the world as they go head-to-head (or horns-to-horns) against the toughest bulls that the PBR has to offer. The cowboy with the highest score on four bulls will be crowned champion.

Where/When: Feb. 25, 8 p.m. Feb. 26, 6:50 p.m. Feb. 27, 2 p.m. Scottrade Center, 1401 Clark St.

Price: $10-$100.

Information: 314-622-5435. www.scottradecenter.net.