KREWE EVENTS AND PARADE SCHEDULES

PURPLE GREEN GOLD King cakes. Massive floats catapulting beads at the masses. Masks. Alcoholic beverages for adults. Screaming in the streets. Fun with friends, family and even strangers.

Mardi Gras season is something unique to Louisiana that puts every resident in full-blown party-mode. It’s almo

st as if it is a secret club we all belong to, and celebrating makes the parades go ’round.

Lucky for us, there are multitudes of events going on in our area. We have Mardi Gras at our fingertips. It'd be silly not to take advantage. Thousands flock to Louisiana every year to take part. We, those rooted in the soil, should not look over the bounty that is Mardi Gras in our region.

Whether taking the family to a parade or attending an adult “black tie” ball (or both), there are plenty of events to suit everyone's desires for the season. Get out there and celebrate like only a Louisianan can.

– April S. Kelley

KREWE EVENTS AND PARADE SCHEDULES

Krewe of Artemis Grand Bal, “Oh, the Places We’ll Geaux.” Dress: Black tie. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., tableau at 7:30 p.m. Sat., Jan. 14, at Springhill Civic Center, 101 Machen Drive. Springhill, La.

Krewe of Harambee Float Loading Party. Sun., Jan. 15. (Private.)

Krewe of Harambee MLK Day Hopes and Dreams Breakfast. 8 a.m. Mon., Jan. 16, at Petroleum

Club. www.kreweofharambee.org.

Krewe of Harambee MLK Pre-Parade Block Party. 11 a.m. Mon., Jan. 16, in front of Caddo Courthouse on Milam St. www.kreweofharambee.org.

Krewe of Harambee Parade. 1 p.m. Mon., Jan. 16, Downtown Shreveport.

Krewe of Gemini XXVII General Membership Meeting. 6:30 p.m. Mon., Jan. 16, at 2101 E. Texas Street, Bossier City, La. www.kreweofgemini.org.

Krewe Les Femmes Mystique Grand Bal. Dress: Black tie. Tickets: $80. 6:30 p.m. to 1 a.m. Fri., Jan. 20, at Louisiana Downs, Red River Room Bossier City. www.lesfemmesmystique.org.

Krewe of Atlas Grand Bal IX, “Cirque du Atlas Macabre.” Dress: Black tie optional, black attire requested. Tickets: $75 (Sold out) Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and close at 7:30 p.m. Sat., Jan. 21, at the Shreveport Convention Center. www.kreweofatlas.org.

Krewe of Justinian Grand Bal XXXIII, “Viva La R’evolution.” Dress: Black tie. Tickets: $80. 6:30 p.m. - 12 a.m. Fri., Jan. 27, at the Horseshoe Riverdome. www.kreweofjustinian.org.

Krewe of Elders Grand Bal XIX. Doors open at 6 p.m., buffet at 7 p.m., tableaux will start at 8 p.m. Sat., Jan. 28, at Events on the Red, 2000 Reeves Marine Drive, Bossier City. www.kreweofelders.org.

Krewe of Demeter Grand Bal II, “Under the Big Top.” Dress: Black tie. Tickets: $75 each or $125 per

couple. 6 p.m. Sat., Jan. 28, at David Means 4-H Building, 10117 Hwy. 171, Grand Cane, La. www.kreweofdemeter.org.

Krewe of Barkus & Meoux Jazz Brunch. 11:30 a.m. Sun., Jan. 29, at Eldorado Resort Casino Grand B

alroom. www.barkusandmeoux.org. Krewe of Centaur Grand Bal XXVVI. Dress: Black tie, mask recommended. Tickets: $80 Doors open at 6:30 p.m., tableaux at 8 p.m. Sat., Feb. 4. www.kreweofcentaur.org.

Krewe of Demeter Parade. 5:30 p.m., Sat., Feb. 4, in Mansfield, La. www.kreweofdemeter.org.

Krewe of Barkus & Meoux Royalty Pet Raffle. Sun., Feb. 5, location TBD. www.barkusandmeoux.org.

20th Annual Minden Fasching/ Mardi Gras Parade. 2 – 7 p.m. Sat., Feb. 11, in Springhill, La. Gemini XXVIII Grand Bal. Sat., Feb. 11, at Shreveport Hilton Convention Center. www.kreweofgemini.org.

Krewe of Dionysos Grand Bal Sat., Feb. 11, at Natchitoches Events Center. Natchitoches, La.

Krewe of Centaur Float Loading Party. 5:30 – 9 p.m. Fri., Feb. 17, at Krewe of Centaur Den, 351 Aero Drive, Shreveport, La.

Krewe Des Ambassadeurs Grand Bal XVI. Tickets: $75. 8 p.m. Fri., Feb. 17, at Sam’s Town Magnolia Ballroom.

Krewe of Centaur Parade. 4:30 p.m. Sat., Feb. 18. The parade starts on the corner of Lake Street and Clyde Fant Parkway and ends on the corner of East Kings Highway and East Preston Street. www.kreweofcentaur.org.

Krewe of Barkus & Meoux Pet Parade. 3 p.m. Sun., Feb. 19, at Events on the Red. 2000 Reeves Marine Drive, Bossier City. www.barkusandmeoux.org.

Krewe of Gemini Float Loading Party. Fri., Feb. 24, at 2101 E. Texas St., Bossier City.

Krewe of Highland Grand Bal. Fri., Feb. 24., at Randle T. Moore Center, 3101 Fairfield Ave. Members $45, guests $55. www.kreweofhighland.org.

Krewe of Harambee Saada Maskhara Bal. Fri., Feb. 24, at Horseshoe’s Riverdome.

Krewe of Dionysus Float Loading Party. Fri., Feb. 24, at Den. Natchitoches, La.

Krewe of Gemini Parade, “Gemini Salutes America.” 4 p.m. Sat., Feb. 25. The parade starts on the corner of Lake Street and Clyde Fant Parkway and ends on the corner of East Kings Highway and East Preston Street.

Krewe of Dionysus Parade, “Mardi Gras on Mt. Olympus.” 7 p.m. Sat., Feb. 25, along parade route: Trail Boss Parking Lot, right onto South Drive, left onto Keyser Avenue, right onto Jefferson Street, straight onto Front Street, left onto Texas Street, left onto Second Street, ends at Church Street. Natchitoches, La.

Krewe of Highland Parade 1 p.m. Sun., Feb. 26, from Gilbert Drive and Ockley Drive, Shreveport and rolls through Highland neighborhood. www.thekreweofhighland.org.

Fat Tuesday in Shreve Town – A Walking Parade. Stages at 6:30 p.m. Tues., Feb. 28, near the Municipal Auditorium, parading less than ½ mile on foot to several planned locations at 7 p.m.

Children’s Parade. 6 p.m. Tues., Feb. 28, at Pierre Bossier Mall.

Bridge Closing Ceremony. Midnight, Tues., Feb. 28, on Texas Street Bridge.