A Family-Friendly Mardis

Louisiana’s Shreveport-Bossier City region has already kicked-off the 2023 Mardi Gras season with events continuing through Feb. 21, 2023. From family-friendly parades and entertainment to balls and parties, visitors and residents alike will find a variety of Mardi Gras fun to experience.

“We absolutely love sharing this time of year with our guests and encourage everyone to make travel plans now, booking hotel rooms, reserving a spot at a favorite restaurant and getting the perfect costume pulled together,” said Stacy Brown, president of the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau (SBCTB). “Activities include numerous parades, formal events, food and wine tastings and athletic events.”

Krewe of Oceanus Grand Bal

Fri., Feb. 10, 2023, Bossier Civic Center. The Grand Ball is a formal attire event. 6:30 - 11 p.m. and Tableau will begin at 7:30 p.m. Charlotte’s Web Band will perform. Tickets are $80.

Sat., Feb. 11, 2023; Clyde Fant Pkwy., Shreveport; 3 p.m. Admission is free. One of the largest parades in Louisiana, the Krewe of Centaur rolls 10 days before Fat Tuesday, featuring marching bands, brightly colored floats and more. The Krewe of Centaur was named after the mythological half-man half-horse in recognition of the horseracing and gaming industry in Northwest Louisiana. This year’s theme is “A Million Dreams.”

Unleash the Decades: A Pet Parade

Sun., Feb, 12, 2023; 10:30 a.m. Louisiana State Fair- grounds. The Krewe of Barkus and Meoux admission is free. Join in the fun by bringing your pets, children, family and friends to this happy occasion.

The Krewe of Gemini Float Loading Party will be held a the Gemini Den in Bossier on Friday, February 17 at 5 p.m. Admission is free. The party will begin at the Krewe of Gemini Den. Bring your family to see all of the floats and collect some beads. Sat., Feb. 18, 2023; Clyde Fant Pkwy., Shreveport; 3 p.m.

Krewe of Highland Parade

Sun., Feb. 19, 2023; Highland Neighborhood, Shreveport; 1 p.m. Affectionately known as Shreveport’s most eccentric krewe, the Krewe of Highland is famous for throwing unusual items like hot dogs, rubber chickens, Capri Sun pouches, MoonPies, Ramen packages, and meatballs in Ziploc bags. Additionally, homemade floats always have been a staple of this unique parade - in fact, they are encour-