Shreveport Mardi Gras Krewes Get 3 Year Deal from City

SHREVEPORT, LA - There's some good news for Mardi Gras fans in Shreveport. The city has reached an agreement with the Krewes of Centaur and Gemini for the parades over the next three years. Mayor Tom Arceneaux tells KEEL News his team has been meeting with the leaders of the Krewes to lock in plans for a longer stretch.

Get our free mobile app

He says some significant changes were made in 2024 and they have been evaluating how those changes worked. Arceneaux says those changes worked very, very well. "Other than the weather, the parades came off really well. They were very well managed.

What Times Will the Parades Roll?

In 2025: 3:30

In 2026: 3pm

In 2027: 3pm

Arceneaux says on some of the parades that are a little later in the year, we have moved the start time back just a bit for the ones that are in March. He says there are  different start times because of the way the calendar falls.

But Arceneaux says this contract does call for the parades to wrap up each year by nightfall. He says this is a safety issue and it is much easier to provide security for the parades during daylight hours.

This agreement is for in 2025, 2026 and 2027.

Will the Routes Change?

Arceneaux says the routes for the parades will not change during this three year agreement. Both the Krewe of Centaur and the Krewe of Gemini will begin at Lake Street on the Clyde Fant Parkway and wrap up on East Kings Highway by the Duck Pond.

Arceneaux tells KEEL

This results from the wonderful cooperation from the krewes as well as the open mindedness of our department heads. Everybody wants to have a successful season.

Could Bossier City Be a Part of Mardi Gras in the Future?

The mayor says there has been no talk about Bossier being a part of the route over the next three years. But Arceneaux did say he would welcome any help from the City of Bossier since they also benefit financially from the sales tax and the hotel/motel tax from these Mardi Gras events.

While some prefer the later start times because of the light displays on the floats, the city and krewes have come to an agreement that community safety is more important.