News Summary
The Mardi Gras season in Shreveport-Bossier has concluded successfully, with a remarkable $20 million economic impact reported. The area witnessed vibrant celebrations featuring parades, community events, and plenty of family-friendly activities. Highlights included the popular Krewe of Gemini parade, which drew massive crowds and enhanced local spending. The festivities not only brought joy but also proved beneficial for the local economy, showcasing the incredible contribution of Mardi Gras to the Shreveport-Bossier community.
Shreveport-Bossier’s Mardi Gras Season Brings Big Bucks!
Well, folks, the Mardi Gras season has wrapped up in Shreveport-Bossier, and the streets are now clean of candy wrappers, broken beads, and those pesky plastic cups that always seem to pop up after a big celebration. But hold on to your hats, because this year’s festivities have turned out to be a colossal success for the local economy!
Economic Triumph: More Than Just Fun
According to a recent report by Visit Shreveport-Bossier, the numbers are in, and they’re impressive! An economic study from 2023 highlighted that Mardi Gras in the area generated over $10 million in direct spending across hotels, restaurants, and local attractions. But wait, it gets better! When you factor in media attention and all the wonderful buzz that surrounds the celebrations, the total economic impact skyrockets to an estimated $20 million.
A Community Embraces the Festivities
The community has really embraced the spirit of Mardi Gras with a range of events to keep everyone entertained. Some of the most popular happenings included the Barkus and Meoux parade, the Centaur and Gemini parades, and the delightful children’s parade! Each event catered to various interests, ensuring that there was something fun for everyone. This year, the Krewe of Gemini truly stole the show, attracting massive crowds with their sold-out ball, float loading party, and a parade that left folks buzzing with excitement.
Crowds and Cheers: A Parade to Remember
With perfect weather gracing the event, the Krewe of Gemini saw an astonishing turnout, with crowds reported to be “30, 40, 50 people deep.” They even went all out, spending over $300,000 on throws, which included some fabulous specialty poly stones, making sure that no parade-goer left empty-handed. Speaking of throws, it’s no wonder they toss nearly 2 million throws each year during their parades!
New Member Crawfish Boil on the Horizon
As the spirit of Mardi Gras continues, let’s not forget the upcoming crawfish boil event hosted by the Krewe of Gemini on April 21st, which aims to welcome potential new members into their fold. It’s a great way to join in on the fun and community spirit!
Honoring the Best Krewes in Town
The people have spoken, and according to a recent poll, the Krewe of Harambee has been voted the best Krewe in Shreveport-Bossier, racking up 703 votes. They were closely followed by the Krewe of Sobek, who managed to snag 451 votes. The community certainly knows how to show appreciation for their local Krewes!
Unique Twists to Tradition
This year also saw a quirky twist on the traditional Mardi Gras celebrations with the introduction of “Zyde Gras,” a fantastic fusion of Mardi Gras and zydeco music, much to the delight of attendees. This fresh twist was highlighted by a local café manager who knows how to keep the party going.
Kid-Friendly Fun
Meanwhile, the annual Fat Tuesday Children’s Parade brought lots of joy to Bossier City, with vibrant floats, delicious food trucks, and tons of face painting for the kiddos. It’s amazing to see how the festivities cater to all ages!
A Grand Turnout for a Grand Event
The Krewe of Gemini parade, in particular, attracts between 300,000 and 500,000 spectators along its impressive 5½ mile route every year. With road closures and pre-parade preparations ensuring everyone’s safety, it’s no surprise that the events run so smoothly.
As Shreveport-Bossier bids farewell to another successful Mardi Gras season, the sense of community and economic success is hard to ignore. It seems like everyone is already counting down the days until next year’s festivities!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Krewe of Highland Parade Set to Celebrate 30 Years
Mardi Gras Season Wraps Up in Shreveport with Community Spirit
Shreveport’s Krewe of Gemini Parade Lights Up Mardi Gras
Shreveport Prepares for Eco-Friendly Mardi Gras Celebration
Get Ready for the Krewe of Gemini Parade in Shreveport
Celebrate the 30th Krewe of Highland Parade in Shreveport
Shreveport’s Krewe of Gemini Parade Unveils Dreamcatcher Theme
New Bakery Tike’s Treats and Eats to Open in Shreveport
Shreveport’s Krewe of Highland Parade Lights Up Mardi Gras
Shreveport Mardi Gras Features Parades and Crawfish Delights
Additional Resources
- KTAL News: Mardi Gras Boosts Shreveport-Bossier Economy
- Shreveport Times: Best Mardi Gras Krewe
- KSLA News: Last Day of Mardi Gras Celebrations
- Wikipedia: Mardi Gras
- Google Search: Mardi Gras Shreveport
Author: STAFF HERE SHREVEPORT WRITER
The SHREVEPORT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREShreveport.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Shreveport, Caddo Parish, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Mudbug Madness Festival, Red River Revel Arts Festival, and Independence Bowl. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Shreveport-Bossier Chamber of Commerce and Shreveport Regional Arts Council, plus leading businesses in gaming, healthcare, and energy that power the local economy such as Horseshoe Casino, Ochsner LSU Health, and Atmos Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBatonRouge.com and HERENewOrleans.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Louisiana's dynamic landscape.
