Shreveport

People standing in the street with hands raised with a Mardi Gras float passing by

Your Ultimate Guide to Shreveport-Bossier Mardi Gras 2026

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Throw me something’ mister!

If you think Mardi Gras only happens in New Orleans, you’re missing out. Shreveport-Bossier hosts some of the most vibrant, family-friendly Mardi Gras celebrations in Louisiana, and I’m here to tell you why you need to experience it for yourself.

My family has been passing a good time at Shreveport-Bossier Mardi Gras activities for years, and every season brings new memories, new throws, and new reasons to love the traditions. Whether you’re a seasoned parade-goer or planning your first Mardi Gras experience, this guide will help you make the most of the 2026 season.

What Makes Shreveport-Bossier Mardi Gras Parades Special?

Let me be clear: Shreveport-Bossier Mardi Gras is different from the New Orleans experience, and that’s okay.

Here’s what sets it apart:

A woman (Robin Williams) showing off the Moon Pie and Hot Dog she caught in the Krewe of Highland Mardi Gras Parade
Moon Pies & Hotdog!

It’s Family-Friendly: There are designated family zones at the major parades so that you can bring your kids, your parents, and your grandmother without worrying about the chaos and adult content that can dominate some parades. This is Mardi Gras you can enjoy with the whole family.

It’s Accessible: No paying premium prices for balcony access. In Shreveport-Bossier, you can find great parade spots without breaking the bank or losing your mind.

A pecan with a face painted in black and white with a bow tie added, and facial and head hair
Blanc de Noir Pecan

It’s Community-Focused: These parades celebrate local culture, local people, and local creativity. You’ll see your neighbors on floats, recognize local businesses in the throws, and feel the genuine community spirit that makes Northwest Louisiana special.

The Throws Are Fun: Shreveport-Bossier throws are super fun. Where else will you catch a hot dog cooked right on a float? We also have specialty beads, stuffed animals, moon pies, and unique items you won’t see anywhere else. Nod to those painted Blanc et Noir Marching Society pecans.

The 2026 Parade Schedule: Mark Your Calendar

This year’s Mardi Gras season runs from mid-January through mid-February, with parades happening almost every weekend. I’ve pulled the info from the Visit Shreveport-Bossier Mardi Gras Site. Here’s what you need to know:

Krewe of Sobek – Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 1:00 PM

  • Location: Louisiana State Fair Grounds, Shreveport
  • Kick off the season with Sobek! This parade sets the tone for the entire Mardi Gras season and brings out enthusiastic crowds ready to celebrate. Get there early because the fairgrounds fill up quickly.

Krewe of Harambee – Monday, January 19, 2026, at 1:00 PM (MLK Day)

  • Location: Downtown Shreveport
  • This is one of my absolute favorite parades. The Krewe of Harambee parade honors African American culture and celebrates unity and diversity in our community. The energy at this parade is incredible. The music is soulful, the floats are vibrant, and there’s a sense of community celebration that you don’t want to miss. I love supporting the African American community through this parade, and I always leave feeling uplifted and connected to my neighbors. The Harambee parade embodies what Mardi Gras should be about: bringing people together in joy and celebration.
  • Pro tip: Downtown Shreveport can get crowded for this parade, so arrive early to secure a good spot.

Krewe of Centaur – Saturday, February 7, 2026

  • Location: Downtown Shreveport
  • This is Louisiana’s largest Mardi Gras krewe, and they don’t disappoint. The Centaur parade is massive, with elaborate floats, incredible throws, and the kind of spectacle that makes Mardi Gras magical. Plan to spend hours here because you’ll need to secure your spot before the parade ever arrives. Plan to tailgate and get to know your neighbors.
  • Make sure you seek out the Family Zones if you’re bringing the little ones.

Krewe of Gemini – Saturday, February 14, 2026 (Valentine’s Day!)

  • Location: Downtown Shreveport
  • Mardi Gras on Valentine’s Day? Yes, please! The Krewe of Gemini brings romance and revelry together with a fantastic parade that lights up downtown. This is a great date night option or a fun outing with friends.
  • Make sure you seek out the Family Zones if you’re bringing the little ones.

Krewe of Highland – Sunday, February 15, 2026

  • Location: Highland Historic District
  • Save room in your schedule for Highland because this is my other absolute favorite parade. The Krewe of Highland is uniquely fun, quirky, and local in the best possible way.
A woman (Robin Williams) kneeling behind a table with all of the throws she caught in the Krewe of Highland parade

Here’s why I love Highland:

  • The Throws Are fun: Highland has the best throws in Shreveport-Bossier, hands down. We’re talking unique, creative items you won’t see at any other parade. Forget generic beads. Highland throws are worth catching. Catch the coveted hot dog being grilled right on the float for lunch right on the route! Heck, you can catch a whole meal at Highland: Ramen Noodles, Hot Dogs, Moon Pies, Twinkies, Fruit Snacks . . . hey, I didn’t say nutritious meals. 🙂
  • The Atmosphere Is Perfect: The parade winds through the beautiful Highland neighborhood, giving it an intimate, community feel that the downtown parades can’t quite capture.
  • I Have a Secret Weapon: My partner lives on the Highland parade route, which means no worries about finding a spot or arriving hours early. We set invite friends over for food and fellowship and walk down to enjoy the parade with zero stress. It’s the perfect way to experience Mardi Gras.
  • The Creativity Is Next Level: Highland embraces the weird, the wonderful, and the uniquely Shreveport. Expect a sense of fun that fills the entire event.

Essential Mardi Gras Gear: What You Might Need

After years of parade-going, I’ve learned what’s essential and what’s just extra stuff to carry. Here’s what you might need:

The Non-Negotiable Items:

A Good Folding Camping Chair

This is number one for a reason. You will be waiting for that parade for hours. Hours! Your back will thank you for bringing a comfortable chair.

  • What to look for: Folding camping chair that’s lightweight enough to carry but sturdy enough to sit in for multiple hours. Get one with a cup holder because you’ll want somewhere to put your drink.
  • Cost Range: $5-150+
  • Worth it? Absolutely essential
  • Pro tip: Write your name on your chair with a permanent marker. Chairs have a way of wandering off in the crowd.

Recommendations:

A Breathable Rain Jacket

Louisiana weather in January and February is unpredictable. You might start the parade in sunshine and end it in a downpour. A little rain won’t stop the parade, but lightning will, so be prepared for anything.

  • What to look for: Waterproof rain jacket that’s packable and breathable. Louisiana humidity means you don’t want something that will turn you into a sweaty mess. You can buy a cheap $2 rain poncho, but I don’t recommend it.
  • Cost: $10-150
  • Worth it? Yes, especially in February
  • Weather reality check: I’ve been to parades in 85-degree sunshine and parades in 30-degree drizzle. Sometimes on the same day. Layers are your friend.

Recommendations:

All Your Tailgate Supplies

You know what your favorites are, but of course, I will give you suggestions of some things that are typically in my parade kit.

Recommendations:

Cost for the whole kit: $50-150 depending on what you already have

Worth it? These items get used for every parade season

The Nice-to-Haves

Recommendations:

  • Wagon or Cart: If you’re bringing kids or lots of supplies, a folding wagon makes life so much easier. (I love my little red folding canvas wagon!)
  • Extending Grabber: For catching those high throws. Some people swear by these. I prefer the old-fashioned “jump and reach” method, but to each their own. Most people I know like an upside down umbrella! (The grabber can double as a trash picker-upper on the walk home!)
  • Costume/Purple, Green, Gold Attire: Not required, but wearing Mardi Gras colors adds to the fun. Thrift stores are goldmines for cheap, festive clothing.
  • Shoes that might get muddy

Insider Tips for the Best Mardi Gras Experience

After years of parade-going, here’s what I’ve learned:

Arriving Early Is Non-Negotiable

If you haven’t paid for a reserved spot, you need to get there early to find a good space. Most people like to get there several hours early and tailgate all day. My suggestion is to arrive before the roads close, otherwise you will be walking a fair distance to find a spot. Yes, this means a lot of waiting. That’s why you bring the chair, the cooler, and good company.

Scout Your Spot in Advance

Not all parade spots are created equal. Here’s what to look for:

Spots to Avoid:

  • Too close to where floats turn (throws go wide)
  • Areas marked “No Throw Zone”
  • Behind tall fences or barriers
  • Areas with no bathroom access nearby

Make Friends With Your Neighbors

The people sitting next to you will be your parade family for several hours. Chat with them. Share snacks. Help their kids catch throws. This is community building at its finest.

Know the Throw Etiquette

  • Don’t push kids out of the way (seriously, don’t be that person)
  • If someone’s kid drops their catch, help them get it
  • Don’t hog all the throws. Spread the joy.
  • If you catch something clearly meant for someone else, pass it along
  • Adults: Let the kids get the good stuff. You’re here for the experience; they’re here for the treasures.
  • Don’t leave your trash behind.

Plan for Parking and Bathrooms

Parking: Downtown parades have paid parking lots and garages. Get there early because they fill up. Some people park in nearby neighborhoods and walk, but be respectful of residents, and don’t park on people’s grass!!

Bathrooms: Scout out public facilities before the parade starts. Most businesses are not going to allow bathroom use during the parades. There are port-a-potties on the route, but some are reserved by the spot owner. Make sure that the facility is marked as a public potty. I once paid a guy 3 bucks to use his pee-can. 🙂

  • Bring More Bags Than You Think You Need
  • Those throws add up fast. I usually bring:
  • One large garbage bag for beads
  • Several reusable shopping bags for stuffed animals and specialty items
  • A backpack for valuables and essentials
  • Dress in Layers
  • Morning might be cold. Afternoon might be warm. By evening, you might be cold again. Layers let you adjust without suffering.
  • Stay Hydrated and Fed
  • Bring snacks and water. Yes, there are food trucks and vendors, but lines can be long and you might not want to lose your spot. Make sure to read rules of the parade about what you can and cannot bring.

What to Do With All Those Throws

Let’s be honest: After a few parades, you’ll have more beads than you know what to do with. Here are some ideas:

  • Keep the Special Ones: Specialty beads, unique throws, and anything meaningful gets saved.
  • Donate: Many organizations collect Mardi Gras beads for next season or for charity. Check with local schools, churches, or community centers.
  • Get Creative: Beads can be used for craft projects, garden decorations, or art installations.
  • Recycle: Some krewes collect and reuse beads. It’s environmentally friendly and keeps the tradition going.

Beyond the Parades: Other Mardi Gras Events

While parades are the main attraction, Shreveport-Bossier offers other Mardi Gras experiences:

The Red River Mardi Gras Bash (VIP Experience)

If you want to take your Mardi Gras experience to the next level, the Red River Mardi Gras Bash is the way to do it. Visit Shreveport-Bossier hosts this annual VIP event during the Krewe of Centaur and Krewe of Gemini parades.

What’s Included (Adult Tickets: $70):

  • Reserved, front-row viewing of the parades (no fighting for space!)
  • Cajun buffet
  • Beer and wine selections
  • Specialty beads
  • Private restrooms (this alone is worth the price)
  • Live entertainment
  • Cajun dance lessons
  • Themed games and activities
  • Behind-the-scenes tours and meet the Krewe royalty

Why I Recommend It:

If you’re visiting from out of town, traveling with a group, or just want a more comfortable parade experience, the Mardi Gras Bash solves every parade-going problem. You get guaranteed front-row spots, food and drinks without leaving your area, and actual bathrooms instead of trying to find a friendly business that will let you use theirs.

The price might seem steep compared to free parade viewing, but think about what you’d spend on food, drinks, and the stress of finding a good spot. Plus, the behind-the-scenes access and Krewe meet-and-greets are experiences you can’t get anywhere else.

2026 Dates:

  • Saturday, February 7, 2026 (Krewe of Centaur)
  • Saturday, February 14, 2026 (Krewe of Gemini)

Children ages 6+ are $25, and kids under 5 are free. You can purchase tickets online.

Pro tip: If you’re bringing a group or planning this as a special occasion, the Bash takes care of all the logistics and lets you focus on enjoying the experience.

Other Mardi Gras Experiences:

  • Mardi Gras Balls: Many krewes host formal balls. These are typically by invitation, but they’re spectacular if you can attend.
  • King Cake Tours: Visit Lilah’s King Cakes for behind-the-scenes tours to see how authentic king cakes are made. Then taste-test king cakes from local bakeries throughout the season to find your favorite.
  • Mardi Gras Shopping: Tubbs Hardware & Cajun Gifts has Mardi Gras souvenirs and parade essentials if you need last-minute supplies or want to take home some authentic Louisiana Mardi Gras gear.
  • Support local Artists:
    • The Agora Borealis: Store and gallery featuring the works of local artists in multiple mediums, from paintings to carvings, furniture and sculptures.
    • Birdwell’s: a collection of southern style. A home & gifting shopping experience inspired by traditions and trends with a southern flair.
    • C&C Mercantile & Lighting: Located in historic Downtown Shreveport. A family owned Shreveport business. (Art by Lauren Ross)
    • The Grove Shreveport: An artist collection under one roof. Whether you’re looking for something practical or stylish, you’ll find something to suit your needs.
    • Karen La Beau: My Life on Canvas: a self-taught, third-generation artist, author, and cultural bearer, with a mission to preserve the richness of Black Southern life through vibrant storytelling.
  • Live Music: Bars and venues throughout Shreveport-Bossier host Mardi Gras-themed events with live music throughout the season.

Why You Should Experience Shreveport-Bossier Mardi Gras

If you’ve never been to a Shreveport-Bossier Mardi Gras parade, you’re missing out on a genuine Louisiana tradition that’s accessible, family-friendly, and full of community spirit.

You don’t need a week off work or a massive budget. You just need a chair, some friends, and a willingness to have fun.

The throws are fun, the atmosphere is welcoming, and the sense of community is real. Whether you’re catching beads at Highland, celebrating culture at Harambee, or marveling at the spectacle of Centaur, Shreveport-Bossier Mardi Gras offers something special.

So mark your calendar, gather your supplies, and get ready to laissez les bons temps rouler, Shreveport-Bossier style!

Your Turn

Have you been to Shreveport-Bossier Mardi Gras? What’s your favorite parade? Do you have any insider tips I missed? Drop a comment below and share your Mardi Gras experiences!

And if you’ve never been, which parade are you planning to attend this year?

That Just Happened! (And it’s about to happen again…)

For More Information:

Mardi Gras safety reminder: Please drink responsibly if you’re consuming alcohol, and never drink and drive. Designate a driver or use ride-sharing services to get home safely.

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Changing Who I Will Be

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I grew up in the deep south: Lake Charles, Louisiana (LA) to be exact, which is about a 50 minute drive to the Gulf of Mexico. I never thought much about race or racism, because for no other reason than I was a child. I knew of tension between white and black folks, but I didn’t really concern myself because I wasn’t “racist” . . . because I was nice to everyone. I honestly believed that.

At 18, I moved with my parents to Shreveport, LA which was approximately 3 hours due north and which seemed like a world away. The next year Shreveport became a racially charged hot spot. Between August and December 1988, three black Northwest Louisiana men had been killed by white people. 17 year old Darren Martin was shot in the parking lot of a Shreveport restaurant in August by a 19 year old white man. In September, David McKinney was shot by a 17 year old white girl looking to purchase drugs in Cedar Grove which sparked a riot in the neighborhood for two days. Buildings were burned, rocks were thrown and the police cordoned off the neighborhood. In December, Loyal Garner, Jr (a Florien man) was beaten to death during an arrest for drunk driving in Hemphill, TX. Three law officers were charged, but later found innocent. I tell you about these events because as a 19 year old, I was terrified. I didn’t really follow the stories at the time to understand that white people had been killing black people. All I saw when I watched the news was angry black people burning and looting things in the city that I lived. I didn’t understand or feel compelled to understand. My whiteness allowed that. I was scared of the actions of the black people. I didn’t educate myself to see what was happening. I just thought I had moved to the scariest place in Louisiana, but, I didn’t think I was racist. I locked my car doors if I was alone and a black man walked by. I clutched my purse tighter when a black man was walking towards me. I wasn’t racist, I was just being cautious. UGH, so wrong!

Over the years, I lived in my bubble of unknown/unacknowledged, white privilege. Heck, I didn’t even know the words “white privilege”. I still lived under the assumption that I was a nice person because I was nice to everyone. I couldn’t be racist, because I had black friends. It wasn’t until my late 40’s that I started to acknowledge that things weren’t quite right. I started reading and educating myself about race issues. A book by Catrice Jackson, “Antagonist, Advocates and Allies: The Wake Up Call Guide for White Women Who Want to Become Allies with Black Women”, helped open my eyes to the unintentional racism that I, as a white woman, had been perpetuating. It was a start. In 2016, I was attending the Shreveport Mayor’s Women’s Commission Style Show Luncheon when a friend of mine Krystle Beauchamp started having a conversation about race. I had mentioned that I recently learned that it wasn’t appropriate to ask black people to teach me. Krystle, being Krystle, said I could always ask her anything. I still remember that to this day, but try to respect that I need to educate myself. She then told me about a 6-week Dialogue on Race class given by the YWCA. She thought that I might benefit from attending. I signed up that week to attend. In early 2017 I attended my first Dialogue on Race session and my lie fwas forever changed. I have come to realize unintentionality is no excuse for my actions. I can not change who I was, but I can change who I will be. The silence and inactions of my life are dangerous to people of color and have to change if I am to help stop the continuance of racism. Racism is only going to change if white people take a stand. We must learn to listen, and listen to learn.

This past week, George Floyd was murdered by police officers who ignored his pleas to breathe. I can never unsee and unhear Mr. Floyd plead for his life and call out for his mom. Now more than ever I want to change who I will be when it comes to showing up for people of color. Here are things that I am committed to doing:

  • Be uncomfortable: I will not let discomfort get in the way of having honest discussions/dialogues about race. This is one of the most important things I’ve learned. I have to allow discomfort in order to grow.
  • Be authentic: I can not change who I was, but I can change who I will be. This only works if I am honest and transparent. I will always have more work to do. I have not eliminated all of the bias and prejudice in my life, but I truly want to change that.
  • Educate myself: I will never be done learning. Everyday search for information on ways that I can help. I will challenge myself to to think beyond my current understanding of issues.
  • Understand: I will continue learning to understand the differences between bias, prejudice, discrimination and racism and how they affect our world.
  • Do not invalidate: I will listen to my Friends of Color and will not tell them they are wrong or try to insert my experience.
  • Speak up: When I see or hear an injustice, I will speak up. This is a particularly difficult one for me because my brain doesn’t work very fast when it comes to speaking. I can write all day, but my words don’t come when I’m speaking. No excuses though!
  • Check on my friends: People of color have trauma y’all. Check on your friends. Let them know you are concerned. Ask if they need anything. Help when you can.
  • Be wrong: I will be willing to be wrong. If someone calls me out, I will listen and not give excuses.
  • Don’t be afraid: I will work to eliminate the irrational fear that I have built over the years. I have found that when you reach out and connect with people, fear can be eliminated if you are coming from a place of authenticity.
  • I’m gonna make mistakes: I will make mistakes. I will be embarrassed. I will learn from those mistakes.

I know there is so much more to do and I hope you will join me in making change. We can change who we will be by speaking up and showing up for our friends of color.

That Just Happened!!
Robin Williams

On a side note: The YWCA Dialogue on Race was a sort of jumping point for me. It impacted me on such a deep level. I want to help more people be able to attend. The cost to attend the 6-week session is $25. Paying for one person would be cool, but paying for many people would be great. So, I designed a t-shirt to sell and the entire profits will be donated to assist in paying the attendee fee for participants wishing to attend the Northwest Louisiana YWCA Dialogue on Race. If you would like to wear this shirt as a commitment to end bias, prejudice, discrimination and racism, order one now.

Wear this shirt as a commitment to end bias, prejudice, discrimination and racism.
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Super Salads with no cides at Cotton Street Farms!

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Michael Billings grew up in Shreveport, LA and after high school left to travel the world. He came back to town to be a dad and he wasn’t finding opportunities that fit his interests. His dad suggested that he make his own opportunity. That’s exactly what he did when he founded the hydroponic Cotton Street Farms.

Michael Billings

Michael Billings cutting herbs at Cotton Street Farm

Michael Billings making Salad from Cotton Street Farm

packaging a salad from Cotton Street Farm

Michael Billings making Salad from Cotton Street Farm

Hydroponic plants at Cotton Street Farms

Hydroponic plants at Cotton Street Farms

Michael Billings

Michael Billings making Salad from Cotton Street Farm

Michael’s family was involved in alternative farming for 20 years. His dad taught him how to take something traditional and make it benefit and useful to himself. Mike said that it is not always practical to grow plants indoors commercially. But, he says if you have a business model that caters to your community, and you have interesting quality products, he is showing that you can grow food indoors in the middle of the city, even in a depressed city. You could go to the big chain grocery store or you could go to Cotton Street Farms, spend the same amount of money and leave with a way more tasty product. It’s the best smelling, tasting, cleanest produce that you can find within hundreds of miles. He says his system uses clean water, organic fertilizers, no pesticides, no fungicides, no herbicides . . . no cides! It will blow you mind walking in the door. Cotton Street Farms control the atmosphere, humidity and lighting frequency. Everything done is for the highest benefit of the plant and it just grows big, strong, colorful, and tasty.

Micheal is working to develop a local educational program, that businesses can sponsor, to help bring grow kits to schools and teach children about growing their own food with no cost to the school. In fact, Michael says that if anyone wants to help, there are many volunteer opportunities at the farm. He said he can always use help.

Michael says he has been growing in the current location for about 9 months. The day Ed and I stopped by, there were rows of beautiful green leafy foods. Kale, Swiss Chard, multiple types of Basil, Bok Choy, Dill and Cilantro. Michael said “Let me make you a salad” and we said “heck yeah!”, he then proceeded in putting together an absolutely beautiful array of greens AND flowers to top it off. I’ve never been much for eating flowers, but he gave me a taste of a light purple flower called a borage. It had the most wonderfully light, cucumber-y flavor. I was instantly a fan. Michael said he is working on a new section of a variety of edible flowers. I’m intrigued and am excited to try new (to me) tastes. In addition to leafy greens, Cotton Street Farm has jalapeño peppers, fruits and berries on the way. I encourage you to stop by and pick up your own super salad with no cides.

Cotton Street Farms is located at 406 Cotton Street, in downtown Shreveport, Louisiana. Follow Cotton Street Farms on all their channels:

Website
Facebook
Instagram

That Just Happened!!
Robin Williams

You like Quesadillas? Head over to Dillas in Shreveport!

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Pete John of Dillas Primo QuesadillasIf you know Pete John, you know he has his finger on the pulse of all that’s cool in the fast-casual food world. Dillas Prima Quesadillas is his latest venture. Pete celebrated with a joint ribbon cutting between the Bossier Chamber of Commerce and the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce on Dec 14, 2018.

Dillas was founded by Kyle Gordon in Dallas, TX, sparked by his love of Quesadillas and a dream to open his own restaurant. Pete John and his wife had been looking for a fun and cool new restaurant to bring to the Shreveport-Bossier area. Dillas fit the bill.

 

Pete has always shown great interest in community involvement and he continues that tradition with Dillas. The goal at Dillas is to be YOUR community restaurant, not just a restaurant in the community. When Dillas becomes part of a community, they look to elevate the community pillars and impact the neighbors in a positive way.

If you like Quesadillas, then you definitely need to head over to Dillas Primo Quesadillas, located 855 Pierremont Rd, Ste 135, Shreveport, LA. Their hours are from 10:30 am – 10:00 pm every day, except holidays. Catering services are available.

That Just Happened!!
Robin Williams

Dillas Primo Quesadillas Ribbon Cutting

Joint Bossier Chamber and Shreveport Chamber Ribbon Cutting

Dillas Quesadillas in Shreveport  Dillas Menu  Fun at the Dillas Ribbon Cutting

Dillas Prima Quesadillas Shreveport, LA Ribbon Cutting

#Eat318 – 318 Restaurant Week Begins Tuesday, March 13 in Shreveport-Bossier

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318 Restaurant Week318 Restaurant Week is upon us and I can’t wait to see my social media feeds fill up with delicious foodstuff. Tejas Kitchen Bar Patio in Shreveport helped kick off the week long event with a media preview. I was lucky enough to attend.

If you’re like me, I love to try new restaurants and find out which are sourcing food from local farms. This week gives a chance to try something new with affordable specials that make it a bit easier on the pocketbook.

Menu listings More than 35 local restaurants have cooked up lunch and dinner specials for 318 Restaurant Week. My advice is to preview the list and make a game plan of your “must do” events. Many evening dinner specials are almost sold-out, so if you want to attend, stop reading this and go make your reservation.

Thanks so much to the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau and all of the spectacular sponsors who made this week possible. I don’t want to hear anyone say there’s nothing to do in SB!

Chris Jay

Let me know what you intend to try and tell me how it turns out for ya! Oh, hey, don’t forget to follow the 318 Restaurant Week Facebook Page.

That Just Happened!!

Robin Williams

What will Whole Foods Do for Us?

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img_0815Whole Foods Market will open it’s doors to the public on Wednesday, November 16, 2016. I was fortunate to get a sneak peak of what’s to come. Employees were busy stocking shelves, setting up displays and getting trained.

I’ve only been to Whole Foods once while I was visiting Overland Park, KS, so I was looking forward to seeing what we would be getting in Shrossier. In particular, I was interested in what Whole Foods would do for us. I found out that the commitment to our community is absolutely phenomenal.

Whole Foods Shreveport-Bossier has hired 141 local people and only brought in six from other regions for training purposes. img_0829Local artist Ann Gassen has been hired as “The Chalk Designer” to decorate all of the signs around the store. They currently have approximately 50 local vendors, with more in the process. The store has used reclaimed wood throughout the building, most notable is the “Joskes wood” on the walls and soffits, reclaimed from a San Antonio department store built in 1888 called Joskes. That wood originally came from forests around my hometown of Lake Charles, LA in Calcasieu Parish. Electric vehicle charging stations, a bike rack to support the cycling community and energy efficiency throughout the store.

In addition, Whole Foods Market Shreveport will host five community giving days over the next five weeks as part of their commitment to supporting the local community, and to celebrate the opening of their first Shreveport store. One percent of net sales on designated community giving days will benefit the following Shreveport-Bossier area nonprofit organizations: Community Renewal International, The Fuller Center for Housing, Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana, Shreveport Green, and The Gingerbread House.

Now, about those services! There are so many fabulous services that are provided in the Shreveport store. Too many to list here, so here are the services that I found of value:

  • The butchers will custom cut, season, steam, fillet or portion your order for FREE just by asking!
  • Full-service seafood shop with experienced Fishmongers ready to help prepare your fish any way you would like it. They fillet, butterfly, debone whole fish, peel and devein shrimp, season, and grill or steam your fish for FREE! In store Seafood Smokehouse with custom smoking available.
  • Have a favorite? They will special order any item by the case with a 10% case discount
  • Free ice to protect your items on the ride home
  • Want to taste fruits or veggies before you buy them? Just ask and they will cut them right there for ya.
  • 500 wines in-house! Get 10% discount when you purchase wine by the case.
  • Expanded grass-fed dairy options including milk, butter, and yogurt and over 2,600 Non-GMO and Organic items!
    A floral area that will include more than 40 cut flowers, potted plants and arrangements in addition to seasonal items such as Christmas trees. For each tree sold, Whole Foods will replant a tree through American Forests.
  • 2000 items on sale every week and an extensive line of 365 Everyday Value® products
  • Louisiana proud! They feature a great selection of Louisiana products. (See list below)

LOUISIANA PROUD VENDORS IN THE SHREVEPORT WHOLE FOODS:

In addition to this list, there are several vendors in the process of finalizing paperwork, so there will be more to come. If you have a product that you’d like to get into Whole Foods, you may submit at Rangeme.com/wholefoods 

Abita Brewery
Acalli Chocolate
Bayou Soap
Bayou Teche
Bee Hippie (uses Hummer and Son beeswax)
Big Easy Bucha
Café du Monde
Cake Face Soaping
Camellia Beans
Chafunkta Brewing Co.
Community
Cool Brew
Covington Brewhouse
Crystal
Davey’s Treasures
Delightful Palate
Dirty Potato Chips
Doodley Dee’s Farm
Edwardo’s Secret Salsa
Evamor
Flying Heart Brewing
French Market
French Truck (beans and cold brew)
Good Granoly
Great Raft Brewing
Gulf Coast seafood
Hanley’s Dressing
Hummer and Son (packaged and in bulk)
Inglewood Farm Pecan Oil
Jennings Apiaries
KenChaux Rice
Kinloch Plantation Pecan Oil
Louisiana Brand Hot Sauce
Magoun’s Kitchen<
onjuni’s
New Orleans Brewing Company
Nuccio’s Olive Salad
Parish Brewing
Red River Brewery
Reve (coffee beans)
Rhino Coffee (beans and cold brew)
River Road Coffee
Southern Art
Star Nursery
Sucre
Swamp Pop
Tabasco
Taylormade Kale Chips
Three Brothers Farm Cane Syrup and Cane Sugar
Tin Roof Brewing Co.

Whole Foods Shreveport Photo Gallery:

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There will be a sneak peak on Monday, November 14 from 4-7 pm. Find info on their Facebook Event. Also, if you are interested in attending the Bread Breaking Ceremony (ribbon cutting), it will be held at 7:30 am on Wednesday, November 16, 2016. The first 200 people who arrive for the grand opening ceremony will receive a Whole Foods Market gift card with a mystery amount up to $100.00.

Follow Whole Foods Shreveport-Bossier:

In terms of community, I believe Whole Foods will do lots for us.

That Just Happened!!
Robin Williams
Marketing Maven, Holiday Lanes

Christina is full STEAM ahead

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Christina WashingtonRecently I became a STEP FORWARD literacy volunteer which has given me the opportunity to read to third graders each week. Reading to children has been something that I have found to be surprisingly rewarding. Today, I had the pleasure of being on the opposite side of the table and was read to by my new friend, Christina Washington. Christina has published a new children’s book,  “Ms. Pearl Makes a Discovery”, designed to encourage curiosity and get children excited about learning STEAM or science, technology, engineering, arts, and math.

“Ms. Pearl Makes a Discovery” has such a creative way of engaging children to explore science. Children are encouraged to see the fun in science by following the example of the exciting characters that reinforce STEAM learning.  14691045_1205398436187409_9182381999145870097_nThe story takes place at a nature park, where a female scientist named Ms. Pearl performs a variety of experiments in her laboratory with help from her animal friends. Each character in the book is representative of each STEAM section.  Sean the Squirrel, Teddy the Turtle, Elle the Elephant, Alex the Alligator, and Max the Monkey. Each character has a special talent while together exploring the fascinating world of STEAM. Readers will witness the shenanigans of Ms. Pearl and her animal friends, and be inspired to reproduce the kid-friendly experiments presented in the book. Ms. Pearl’s character is loosely based on Christina, who also happens to be a Scientist. Mrs. Washington created Ms. Pearl and the STEAM characters to reflect her love for STEAM.

I originally met Christina at the Bossier Chamber of Commerce ribbon cutting of her business, Young Scholars, a premier provider of STEM educational programs and services including enrichment programs, custom learning solutions, educational workshops, test prep, and tutoring. Christina WashingtonChristina Washington is such a motivating woman, first and foremost, because she is a scientist (a physicist to be exact). She is an author, educator, Founder of Innovative Learning Solutions, and Founder and Executive Director of Young Scholars, the youth academic division of ILS. She is also a contributing author of two engineering lab manuals and now author of her new children’s book. Christina has received numerous awards for her efforts and continues to be a trailblazer in her industry. Christina is very humble and probably won’t tell you right off that she has participated in research projects at NASA and USDA, so I will tell you for her. WOW – What a woman!

Christina’s self-published book “Ms. Pearl Makes a Discovery” is currently being printed as I write and is available for pre-sale on Amazon, with an approximate ship date of November 19, 2016. All pre-sale orders will be autographed and personalized. Christina Washington is an inspiring woman who is making a great impact in the lives of young people. I encourage you to not only purchase one copy of this book, but purchase many copies to share with school children in your area.

13138993_1078445302216057_9137830259205827830_nRead more about Christina:

I’m excited to see Christina moving full STEAM ahead!

That Just Happened!!
Robin Williams
Marketing Maven, Holiday Lanes

 

Who’s Hungry? 318 Restaurant Week Live FB Media Launch

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microphone photoYou have had invitations in the past to attend press conferences, right? How often did you forget about it or you just weren’t able to attend? Well, in Shreveport-Bossier we wanted to do something different with a press conference announcing 318 Restaurant Week. We thought how about a live Facebook press conference? One that you don’t even have to leave your office to be in attendance. Cool, huh?

Yep, that’s what we are doing today. A press conference that starts on the Shreveport Downtown Development Authority Facebook page and then progressively tags over to five other social media influencers from around Shreveport-Bossier. We think this is a first, and we need your help! We need an audience. By clicking on each of the live feeds as they happen, you will be part of our audience. Because it’s a first, bear with us if there are any glitches. Just play along! And please, comment on the live feed so that we know you are there!

Who's Hungry?

Don’t miss the live Facebook event – it all starts at 10/11/16 at 11:00 am on the Shreveport DDA‘s page and then will progress to each of the following pages:

Loving This Life Jada at 11:05 am
Tiana Kennell at 11:10 am
Shreveport-Bossier ~ Louisiana’s Other Side at 11:15 am
That Just Happened – Social Robin at 11:20 am
Clint McCommon at 11:25 am
And big finale:
The Shreveport Times at 11:30 am

Make sure you like each of the mentioned page so you can get the live feed! Tune in, comment and share!

And also like the 318 Restaurant Week page and RSVP to the Facebook Event.

Let’s make 318 Restaurant Week delicious!

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This is my son, Chase. He’s going to be joining me at 11:20 for my part in this big announcement. Won’t you join us?

#EAT318

 

This is going to happen!!
Robin Williams
Holiday Lanes

Post Update: 10/11/16 at 4:45 pm

If you missed the event and still want to check it out, click on this link on Facebook to view all of the live feeds (and share). It was a super fun event and I can’t wait for #EAT318.

Why volunteer?

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I had someone ask me why I volunteer? My initial reaction was “because I can”. I went on further to explain that I’m fortunate to have a job that allows me to do so. The next question I received was “well, how does that help Holiday Lanes?”. I often have to explain how or why I am at so many events around town. My job as marketing director for Holiday Lanes allows for me to be involved in the community in a way that also highlights the programs and services that we offer. I respect and understand the need for salespeople and yet I’ve found it difficult to follow the cold-calling techniques that often come with jobs in sales and marketing. I find that attending events, serving on committees, and volunteering provides a way for people get to know me and what I do without having to work the hard sell edge.

readingSo how does it help Holiday Lanes? It gives us the opportunity to invest in the community. We learn about other organizations and it allows us to be a resource for those people related to the organizations.

Today, I found out that sometimes, it really has nothing to do with my job. I started as a Step Forward literacy volunteer, reading to 3rd graders. I was kind of nervous. I’ve never done this before and wasn’t sure how well I’d be around third graders. When I walked into Ms. Collins third grade class at E.B. Williams Stoner Hill Lab Elementary school, I  was actually sweating. (Ok, so humidity was like 300%, but still!) Ms. Collins introduced me to the class and each student had an opportunity to share their name with me. There were five other Williams’ in the class, and so we had something in common. I was assigned six students as my breakout group. We all gathered together in the miniature burgundy chairs and began the task of reading “Jennie and the Wolf”. I asked each student to read a paragraph to me and then asked if I could read a paragraph. They excitedly allowed me to do so. We then all read in unison. (Kinda cool!) We talked about the vocabulary words (discovery and inspired) and the moral of the story (Help others and they will help you). We compared ourselves to Jennie and the Wolf. It was such a fabulous day for me. Those kiddos really snagged me in way I hadn’t expected. I get to read to them twice a week for 30 minutes and what at first seemed like something I might dread, I can now see is going to help me be better at the rest of my work week.

This has nothing really to do with my job, but in another way, it has everything to do with my job. Sometimes I find that I don’t feel like I’m making a contribution. I get caught up in emails, quotes, booking events, and yes, volunteering. Volunteering with thirStep Forwardd graders is way different than volunteering on a committee. I think this is going to give me energy and make me better at my job.

I would encourage you to consider reading to third graders. From what I have learned, third grade is that “make or break” time in a child’s life where being able to read is an indicator of whether they will graduate from high school. This is the very basic description. You will learn more when you sign up. There is a need for volunteers in both Caddo and Bossier Parishes. If you would like more information about Step Forward please contact Laura Alderman at The Community Foundation at 318-221-0582. As I walked out of the classroom from my volunteer time, one of the young men in the class yelled out “We had fun Ms. Robin!”. That made it all worth it!

Step Forward:

That Just Happened!!
Robin Williams
Marketing Maven, Holiday Lanes

 

 

Be A Fan of Shreveport-Bossier

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In celebration of National Travel and Tourism Week – May 1 -7, 2016, I invite you to Be a Fan of Shreveport-Bossier (SB). I am a super fan of SB, and love spreading the word about all of cool things to do in this area. In case you didn’t know, Shreveport-Bossier is home to a horseracing track, six casinos, 45 family attractions, and 50 annual events. I cringe when I hear someone say “there’s nothing to do here”, it is soooo not true.

Check out the video below for my top picks in SB Outdoor Adventures:

Whether you live in SB or have plans to visit, Shreveport-Bossier is filled with museums, festivals, art galleries, indoor and outdoor adventures that will keep you busy for hours. The Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau, and KSLA, has teamed up with SB attractions to offer some super-fabulous, exclusively deep discounts available only during Travel and Tourism week. All you have to do is register your email address at BeAFanOfSB.com. Nearly 20 discounts are being offered as part of the “Be a Fan of Shreveport-Bossier” campaign. When you sign up to receive the discounts, you will also be automatically entered to win a “staycation” package including a hotel stay at Hilton Garden Inn/Homewood Suites in Bossier City, 2016 family 4-pack to Splash Kingdom, a $50 gift certificate to Jan’s River Restaurant, as well as a family 4-pack of tickets to Sci-port Discovery Center, a family 6-pack to Holiday Lanes and more.

You can help spread the word too by sharing your photos and experiences on social media with the hashtag #BeAFanofSB.

Here are some useful websites to help you stay engaged:

That Just Happened!!
Robin Williams
Marketing Maven, Holiday Lanes

National Travel and Tourism Week, a project of the U.S. Travel Association, was established by a congressional resolution in 1983. This week of events serves to champion the power of the tourism and hospitality industry. For more information on National Travel and Tourism Week, visit www.ustravel.org.

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Print your #BeAFanOfSB coloring sheet