Categories: CommunityEvents/What's HappeningFestivalsNews

Shreveport-Bossier Celebrates a Profitable Mardi Gras Season

Crowds enjoying the Shreveport-Bossier Mardi Gras parade with colorful floats

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!