We’re Down to the Final Weekend of Festivities for Mardi Gras Madness!

Mardi Gras Madness continues in Shreveport/Bossier City this weekend with not one, not two, but three huge parades! Add in two grand bals on top of that and you know Carnivale will be out of control as we roll into Fat Tuesday!

Friday, February 5: The Krewe of Gemini Float Loading Party is free and open to the public starting at 5pm. There will be food, music and I've heard rumors of bottomless cups of beer! This is the perfect Mardi Gras event to take your kids to! They can get up close to check out the floats and it's also a great opportunity to collect specialty beads from the individual floats and royalty! The festivities will take place at the Krewe of Gemini Den, 2101 East Texas in Bossier City, LA.

Friday, February 5: The Krewe of Highland Grand Bal is always a big hit with revelers! Doors open at 7pm for this over the top fun event at the Randall T. Moore Center on Kings Hwy in Shreveport, LA. The Highland Royalty Presentation will take place at 8pm. A word of advice, find a spot close to the back steps of the RTM building, but not too close... You never know what they'll be 'throwing' at Highland functions! The theme is Rocky Horror Picture Show and guests are encouraged to dress up! Appetizers will be on hand along side a cash bar with music by Le Freak.

Saturday, February 6: It's parade day for the Krewe of Gemini! They've been celebrating Mardi Gras in a big way for 27 years in the Ark-La-Tex and I have no doubt that this weekend's parade will be the best yet. The parade rolls at 4:30pm but I encourage you to find a spot on the parade route much earlier than that! I've heard (on good authority I might add) that the Krewe has already loaded TWO MILLION plus beads to throw... You better bring a bag... or ten!

Saturday, February 6: The Krewe of Harambee will be holding the final Grand Bal for our area Saturday night at the Horseshoe Casino Riverdome. Dress is black tie or African attire. Doors open at 6:00pm with the royalty presentation taking place at 8:00pm. This has always been a super fun event so if you get the chance to go, it's definitely worth your time!

Saturday, February 6: The Krewe of Dionysos in Natchitoches, LA will strut their stuff Saturday as well. The krewe invites you to catch your share of the 216,000 beads; 25,000 cups; 6,000 Frisbees, 4,800 specialty beads; 4,800 footbals and 14,400 Plush throws that their riders will toss!!!

Sunday, February 7: The Krewe of Highland rolls Sunday throughout the historic Highland neighborhood. Highland has been dubbed the 'kid safe' parade since it not only takes place during daylight hours, it's on a Sunday. But please note, in the past Highland has always rolled at 2pm, but because of the Super Bowl this Sunday, the new start time is 1pm so make sure to plan accordingly! Also, come prepared to catch Moon Pies and other odd ball throws the parade is known for! You may even catch some Ramen noodles!