For thousands of years people have been celebrating the coming of spring and the new life that’s brought forth during that season. Mardi Gras, also known as Carnival or Fat Tuesday, is celebrated in areas with a large Catholic population. For those who didn’t know, Mardi Gras is actually the day before Lent. However, the memorable festivities take place in the days and weeks leading up to Mardi Gras. The Krewe of Rex from New Orleans sets the stage for every other krewe and parade in our great state. As for Mardi Gras in Shreveport-Bossier, our festivities have delivered memorable fun for locals and tourists alike since 1990.
In our area, there are a great deal of festivities to take part in during the Mardi Gras season. It all begins with the Twelfth Night celebration, which introduces the royal court to the public. There’s the Krewe of Harambee MLK Day Parade (1 p.m., Mon., Jan. 20) that rolls through downtown Shreveport, the Krewe of Highland parade (2 p.m., Sun., March 2) that rolls through Shreveport’s historic Highland Neighborhood, and even our pets get their time to shine with the Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Pet Parade (1:30 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 23). The Krewe of Gemini (4:30 p.m., Sat., March 1) and the Krewe of Centaur (4:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 22) are two of the area’s oldest parading krewes, and are Shreveport-Bossier’s two largest parades. All parades are family friendly, but keep in mind that Mardi Gras season is still Mardi Gras season, so be safe when you’re making memories.
The forty days of Lent leading to the celebration of Easter is a time of purity meant to be used to pray, fast, and repent. Mardi Gras is supposed to mark the end of indulging in wrong and Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent, marks the beginning of walking in right. You don’t have to be Catholic to celebrate the fun times of Mardi Gras. You just have to know how to have a good time!
Click here to download the 2014 Gris Gris Guide to Mardi Gras in Shreveport-Bossier, a brochure collecting all of the Mardi Gras festivities taking place in Shreveport-Bossier, along with some useful tips for enjoying the festivities.
