Chances are, if you’ve lived in Shreveport-Bossier for any amount of time you’ve at least heard of C.C. Antoine Park. Now you can learn all about the man behind the name during the 5th Annual C.C. Antoine Black History Celebration 2013.
The ongoing celebration, now through Sunday, Feb. 24, has included a week of family fun, educational and entertaining events, from film screenings and discussions to empowerment workshops, a spoken word competition and more. But even if you missed all of that, it’s not too late to get in on the fun because this Saturday, Feb. 23, they will present The C. C. Antoine Black History Fest featuring a full day of live entertainment and activities at the Louisiana State Fairgrounds.
The lineup of entertainment includes the Port City Music Fest and The Port City Praise Dance Showcase, an antique car show, appearances by the Motor Cycle Riders, Trail Riders and more. Plus, there will be food, drink and merchandise vendors. Festival-goers are asked to bring at least one non-perishable food item to attend.
The week-long annual event celebrates the life of a Louisiana icon, Caesar Carpenter Antoine, who is perhaps best known as Louisiana’s third black lieutenant governor. However, he served a number of roles from entrepreneur and newspaper publisher, to human rights advocate and property owner. Following the Civil War, he moved to Shreveport and as state senator, he sponsored charter legislation in 1871 that allowed Shreveport, then an unincorporated town, to achieve the legal status of city.
Check out this video to learn more about the annual event:
