Shreveport - Bossier, Louisiana's Other Side

Contact Information:

Gene Conrad 417-334-7813, gconrad@flybranson.com

Bill Cooksey 318-673-5370,  william.cooksey@shreveportla.gov

Branson Airport announces Scheduled Charter Service to

Shreveport, LA for the holiday season

Flights will operate three times a week starting November 7th and run through December 14th

BRANSON, MO (September 14, 2009)—Branson Airport, LLC the first privately developed and operated commercial service airport in the U.S., announced today scheduled public charter service, operated by ExpressJet Airlines, Inc., to Branson, MO to Shreveport Regional Airport in Shreveport, LA for the holiday season.* Branson is world renowned as a top Christmas destination.

Branson's Ozark Mountain Christmas (November through December) brings together a mix of world-class entertainment, recreation and holiday spirit to provide a truly exhilarating vacation experience. 2009 marks the 22nd season for Ozark Mountain Christmas as Branson transforms into a holiday wonderland featuring spectacular lighting displays, shows celebrating Christmas, theme parks in all their holiday glory and seasonal special events.

Service to Shreveport is scheduled to operate three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Flights will be flown by ExpressJet utilizing an Embraer 145 regional jet with 50 seats. ExpressJet’s aircraft are configured with no middle seats, assigning every customer a seat on the aisle or window. The planes also feature comfortable memory foam cushioned leather seats with more than 100 channels of free XM Satellite Radio.

Non-stop flights from Shreveport to Branson will start at $59 one-way**. The schedule from Shreveport is as follows***:

• Branson to Shreveport, departs 1:55 p.m., arrives 3:03 p.m.

• Shreveport to Branson, departs 3:43 p.m., arrives 4:49 p.m.

"We are extremely pleased to offer the people of Shreveport convenient, non-stop, affordable jet service to experience Branson during the holiday season," said Jeff Bourk, Executive Director, Branson Airport. "There is a reason why the Travel Channel recognized Branson as ‘One of America’s Most Christmasy Places’ and with the addition of this non-stop service you can get here faster and easier than ever before."

"We are honored to tag team with the Branson Airport to try this new service," said Shreveport Mayor Cedric B. Glover. "We encourage people to fly to Branson and to encourage Branson’s residents to come to all the great sites and activities Shreveport has to offer as well."

"This will be the third leisure non-stop, low-fare destination to be served seasonally from Shreveport Regional Airport," said Ted Roberts, Chairman of the Shreveport Airport Authority. "We urge the residents in this region to use this service and save a seven-hour drive each way."

"The Shreveport Airport Authority encourages residents in this region to support this new service by flying to Branson," said Roy H. Miller, Jr. A.A.E., Director of Airports. "In a time when most airports are losing service, we are honored to add this new low-fare, jet service which will have to be utilized in order to continue each season."

Tickets are available for purchase at www.FlyBranson.com.

*Flights are Public Charters operated for FlyBranson Travel LLC by ExpressJet Airlines, Inc, and are subject to the terms and conditions of the Operator- Participant Agreement to be entered into by each customer.

**Advertised airfares are one-way, do not require a round trip purchase and include Federal Excise Tax of 7.5%. Airfares do not include September 11th Security Fees of $2.50 per person per enplanement, Federal Flight Segment Taxes of $3.60 per person per flight segment, Passenger Facility Charges (PFC) of up to $4.50 per person per enplanement, Airport Facility Charges (AFC) of up to $6.25 per passenger per enplanement in BKG. A Convenience Fee of $5.00 per passenger per segment will apply when booked at bookingsecure.flybranson.com. A convenience fee of $15.00 per passenger will apply when purchased through FlyBranson Travel's call center at 1-888-FLY-BKG1. Purchases made at any FlyBranson Travel Airport Ticket Office will not incur a Convenience Fee or Call Center fee. Fares subject to availability at the time of booking, and are subject to change. A $15.00 checked baggage fee will apply for the first checked bag and $25.00 for a second checked bag. Each checked bag weighing over 51 pounds will be assessed a fee of $40 in addition to the checked bag fee.

***Times and dates of the advertised flights are subject to change in accordance with regulatory requirements. Cancellation is subject to administrative fee when permitted by regulatory requirements.

For more information about the Branson Airport visit www.FlyBranson.com.

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JUST ANNOUNCED: DIRECTOR & SCREENWRITER ROD LURIE TO SCREEN & DISCUSS NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH

Sunday, September 27, 7:00 PM - Tickets Now On-Sale

The Robinson Film Center will host director and screenwriter, Rod Lurie, for a screening and discussion of his 2008 drama, Nothing But the Truth, starring Kate Beckinsale, Matt Dillon, Vera Farmiga, Angela Bassett and Alan Alda, on Sunday, September 27 at 7:00 PM. Written and directed by Mr. Lurie, Nothing But the Truth is a thriller set in Washington, D.C., which tells the story of a female reporter (Beckinsale) who faces a possible jail sentence for revealing the identity of a CIA agent (Farmiga) and refusing to identify her source.

Mr. Lurie is currently in north Louisiana directing the film Straw Dogs, which stars Kate Bosworth, James Marsden, Alexander Skarsgård and Academy Award-nominee James Woods. Among Mr. Lurie's other credits are The Contender (starring Academy Award-nominee Joan Allen, Jeff Bridges and Gary Oldman), Resurrecting the Champ (starring Samuel L. Jackson and Josh Hartnett), The Last Castle (starring Academy Award-winner Robert Redford and Mark Ruffalo), and the popular television series "Commander in Chief" starring Academy Award-winner Geena Davis.

Tickets to Nothing But the Truth may be purchased in advance by calling (318) 459-4122 or visiting the RFC Box Office at 617 Texas Street. Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT: Freda Powell

(318) 673-7703

Su*Stella

(228) 263-2333

ART AFFAIRE IN THE GARDENS AT THE BARNWELL CENTER

The Friends of the Barnwell are pleased to announce the opening of Art Affaire in the Garden – an Arts Market on Saturday October 17, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. From the unusual to the unique, an impressive showcase of handmade arts and craft will be on sale with plenty to appeal to both locals and visitors. A treasure-trove of handcrafted works in glass, jewelry, fiber arts, mixed media, visual art, photography, sculptures, homemade body care products and souvenirs and more can all be found here! It's worth a visit if only to browse! Art Affair in the Garden – An Art Market will be held Saturdays March thru December from 10 am to 3 pm except on major holidays.

Art Affaire in the Garden is yet another way that the Friends of the Barnwell are supporting Louisiana artists and craftsmen. Art Affair in the Gardens will provide a dependable and highly affordable marketplace for artists to sell their artwork, in a delightful environment that serves as an inexpensive weekend storefront for their creative efforts. Some artists will participate every Saturday, while others are new each week, assuring visitors of an ever-changing array of art and creative products to view on every market day. No mass-manufactured or assembled products will be sold. The artist who makes the art is there to display and sell the art. Art Affaire in the Garden – An Arts Market will provide an opportunity to meet the artists and craftsmen, discuss their work, and to buy unique hand-made products direct from the creator.

The Friends of the Barnwell also operates …the store at the Barnwell Center which features handmade art from artists from across the state. When asked if this was a duplication of service Barnwell Center Director, Freda Powell stated, "I see this as an expansion of service". She explained, "…the store at the Barnwell Center offers handmade works that have gone through a vigorous jury selection by the Louisiana Crafts Guild. The items sold in …the store are primarily representational of the artists who are members of this state sanctioned organization. Not every artist wants to be a part of an organized group. The artist participating in Art Affaire in the Garden will be juried and must maintain a standard of quality but they will not have to join a member organization to make their work available."

Art Affaire in the Garden will also offer a variety of Louisiana grown plants for the home and garden. "We are a garden and art center", Powell stated, "and we want people to have an opportunity to enjoy the wonderful botanicals that are nurtured in our area. We hope to have participation from our garden clubs who specialize in orchids, bonsai and day lilies as well as unique plants from individuals who are looking to share."

In these days of chain-stores and shopping centers, a visit to Art Affaire in the Garden – an Arts Market will be a special shopping experience as you visit this unique open-air market with a variety of stalls nestled amongst the shady trees or under a festively decorated tent - each with its own distinct personality. The result, a market of charming eccentricities, full of happy surprises!

Anyone interested in joining Art Affaire in the Garden- an Arts Market as a vendor, performer, or demonstrating artist should request an application by calling 673-7703 or emailing thebarnwell@centurytel,net. The deadline for the October 17 Market is September 29, 2009 with notification of acceptance on October 6. Applications thereafter will be accepted on an ongoing basis and will be viewed monthly on the third Wednesday of the month. Accepted applicants will be notified the following week in order to be set up for the first Saturday of the upcoming month.

The Barnwell Center is located on the Shreveport riverfront at 601 Clyde Fant Parkway.

For immediate release

Contact:

Karen Allen, Chimp Haven, (318) 402‐9008

Kay Morrison or Ginger Ellis, Occasional Wife (504 ) 302‐9893

New Orleans’ Occasional Wife Celebrates "Art For Arts Sake" With INSTINCT: The Art Of Chimpanzees

The Occasional Wife, New Orleans’ one‐stop shop for organizing your life, is turning its Magazine Street wall space into one of the most unusual art galleries in the city during Art For Art’s Sake on Saturday October 3rd, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM. Owners Kay Morrison and Ginger Ellis are hosting the show, "INSTINCT: The Art Of Chimpanzees." The exhibition, created by Chimp Haven, The National Chimpanzee Sanctuary, in northwest Louisiana, features the colorful paintings of eight chimpanzee artists—each with a distinctive style.

"People will be surprised at what they see," says Morrison. "The paintings have character. You can distinguish the work of each chimpanzee." "The purpose of the exhibition," explains Dr. Linda Brent, President and Director of Chimp Haven, "is to showcase the unique paintings of our chimpanzees and provide insights on chimpanzee cognition and creative expression. Also, the show gives us the opportunity to encourage people to explore the nature of art."

Professional staff from Chimp Haven will be on hand to talk about the artists. Chimp Haven, a sanctuary for chimpanzees retired from medical research or no longer wanted as pets or entertainers, provides a home to 128 chimpanzees. Each gets to choose how they spend their days. Not everyone wants to paint. Those represented at the show are some of the Sanctuary’s most enthusiastic painters.

INSTINCT began its national tour at the Barnwell Art and Garden Center in Shreveport in August. Plans are under way to take the show to a number of major cities over the next year. The exhibition is made possible through a grant from the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation.

The exhibition is free and open to the public.

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Chimp Haven, The National Chimpanzee Sanctuary, is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides a permanent sanctuary for chimpanzees no longer used for biomedical research, entertainment, or as pets. Located 25 miles southwest of Shreveport, LA., Chimp Haven opened its doors in April 2005. The sanctuary is now home to 128 retired chimpanzees. For more information, visit www.chimphaven.org.

Eldorado Resort Casino

OCTOBER 2009 EVENTS LIST

CELEBRITY LOUNGE

Catch Karaoke with Reno and Pro Karaoke Every Monday night after the football game and Blues Jam every Thursday from 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

Show times subject to change or cancellation. Additional dates to be announced.

Celebrity Lounge Headliners:

• Oct. 2 Sugarfoot 8 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

• Oct. 3 The Slags 8 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

• Oct. 4 Professor Porkchop 10 p.m.

And the Dirty Dishes

• Oct. 7 Earshot Graffiti 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

• Oct. 9 Oso Closo 8 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

Opener: Highline

• Oct. 10 Sweet Moses 11:30 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

• Oct. 11 DNR 10 p.m.

• Oct. 14 LA Outlaws 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

• Oct. 16 Nigel Edison Band 8 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

• Oct. 17 Nigel Edison Band 8 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

• Oct. 18 Vehicle Reason 10 p.m.

• Oct. 21 Chocolate City 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

• Oct. 23 Identity Crisis 8 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

• Oct. 24 Identity Crisis 8 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

• Oct. 25 Dorsey Summerfield 10 p.m.

• Oct. 28 Keith Horton 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.

• Oct. 30 Victims of Pop Culture 8 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

• Oct. 31 Triggerproof 8 p.m. – 1:30 a.m.

CRUNCH TIME! FOOTBALL IN CELEBRITY LOUNGE:

Catch Collegiate & Pro Football Action On Our Big Screens!

• Game Time Special Saturday – Monday - Enjoy a bucket of 5 beers and your choice of buffalo wings or 2 hot dogs for just $12.

• Saturday - Collegiate Football from 11 am – 6 pm.

• Sunday - Pro Football from 11 am – 9 pm.

• Monday - Pro Football from 7 pm – 11pm.

• Monday Special: $2 well drinks and $2 domestic beer during the game.

BLUES JAM WITH PROFESSOR PORKCHOP AND THE DIRTY DISHES

Eldorado invites you to join us for our "Blues Jam with Professor Porkchop and the Dirty Dishes" every Thursday night from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.!

• Enjoy live Blues by the area’s top musicians

• Well liquor - $3 per drink

• Well wine - $2 per glass

• Domestic Beer - $2 per bottle

• Import Beer - $3.25 per bottle

Patrons must have active ABO card to receive discounted beverage prices.

SONGWRITERS IN THE ROUND

Join local songwriters Jason Sepulvado, Cameron Meshell, and Daniel Smalley for Song Writers in the Round

• See great songwriters showcase their craft

• Every Tuesday night in Eldorado’s Celebrity Lounge from 7 p.m. until 11 p.m.

CASINO CASH PATROL

Win $1,000 every 15 minutes on Saturday, October 3!

• The Eldorado Casino Cash Patrol will give away $1,000 every 15 minutes from 5 p.m. until midnight.

• Random slot machines will be chosen, and players at those machines with properly inserted Club Eldorado cards will win the cash.

• Must be present to win.

Stop by Club Eldorado for complete details.

$20,000 DEAD GIVEAWAYS – SO MUCH CASH, IT’S SCARY!

The money will drive you mad during Eldorado’s $20,000 Dead Giveaways! Win your share of $20,000 cash guaranteed each Friday, October 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30.

• Play our loose slots and hot tables between 12:01 a.m. and 11:45 p.m. each giveaway day for a chance to win cash prizes ranging from $250 to $1,000.

• Club Eldorado members may swipe their Club Eldorado Card between 4:00 p.m. and 11:45 p.m. on drawing days to activate entry(s).

• Random drawings will be held from 6 p.m. to midnight on promotion days.

• Must be present to win.

Stop by Club Eldorado for complete details.

THE BIG DEAL CASH GIVEAWAYS

$75,000 up for Grabs! Will you keep the $750, or give in to temptation?

• Play our huge variety of slots and table games October 1 through 17 for your chance to win $750 cash.

• On October 17, you’ll then have 30 seconds to decide if you should keep the money or trade it in for a briefcase worth up to $10,000! Risk it, and your winnings could decrease.

• Swipe your Club Eldorado card from 12 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. October 17 to activate your entries.

• One winner will be drawn every 15 minutes from 2 p.m. until midnight. 41 players will win.

• Stop by Club Eldorado for complete promotional details.

DISCOVER TREASURES OF THE ELDORADO

• Play with your Club Eldorado Card every day to win your share of over $1.5 MILLION in cash and prizes guaranteed.

• Club Eldorado members can play with their Club Eldorado card at our Treasures of the Eldorado game kiosk up to six times daily to win Treasures including cash, restaurant, gift shop and spa comps, plus much more.

• For every 20 points earned, Club Eldorado members receive one entry into that week’s Treasures Sunday drawing at 6 pm for $10,000 in total cash prizes. Earn double entries Tuesday through Thursday.

• Close a path playing our Treasures game kiosk and receive 20 entries into our drawing to win a 2010 Mercedes E350 October 24! The first to close a path wins $500 in addition to 20 entries.

• For every 20 points, Club Eldorado members will receive one entry. The nine winners of each Treasures Sunday drawing will earn one entry. Earn double entries Tuesday through Thursday.

• Stop by Club Eldorado for complete details.

GOLD RUSH $3,000 WEEKLY SLOT TOURNAMENTS

Every Monday; $3,000 guaranteed prize money per tournament

• Tournaments held every Monday at 7:00 p.m.

• Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. on day of tournament

• President and Gold card holders receive one free round; regular entry fee is $20

• For complete details, ask any slot employee.

TOURNAMENT TUESDAYS

Weekly blackjack tournament; Guaranteed $2000 prize pool

• Tournament held every Tuesday at 5 p.m.

• Registration begins at 4 p.m. day of tournament

• Entry fee is $20

• Located on first level of casino

• See Club Eldorado or contact Pit Supervisor for complete details

Contact: Leslie Peck August 18, 2009 Advertising/PR Manager

lpeck@eldoradoshreveport.com

(318) 510-8899

ELDORADO RESORT CASINO BRINGS ULTRA LOUNGE TO SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER

Shreveport, LA - Eldorado Resort Casino Shreveport is proud to announce the opening of Allure Ultra Lounge as part of a recent $1.5 million renovation project.

Located on the second level of the hotel pavilion, Allure Ultra Lounge is designed with all the senses in mind. Modeled after modern nightclubs found in major U.S. cities and unique to Shreveport-Bossier, Allure boasts a rich palette of tomato red, espresso chocolate, gold and shimmering metallics with glass, creating a luxurious atmosphere. Swirls, stripes and undulating waves of wall covering and fabrics enhance the provocative design. Casual seating areas are available for easy conversation, and guests may order bottle service at their table. A new dance floor with additional seating overlooks the Celebrity Lounge, giving the space a skybox effect with unobstructed views of live music. Flat screen TVs are placed throughout the venue, allowing guests to enjoy sporting events and up close views of the bands playing in Celebrity Lounge below. Allure’s bar is unique in its own right, with a lighted golden avonite bar top and serving a variety of drinks from beer to wine and classic and modern cocktails.

In addition to Allure, Eldorado’s investment in the property includes expansive floor-to-ceiling renovations to the Celebrity Lounge. Celebrity has been completely enclosed in beautiful mahogany and glass, giving the site a more intimate and sophisticated feel. New carpet, wall coverings, bar stools, and club chairs have been added, and the façade surrounding the stage area has been hand painted with one-of-a-kind murals. With Allure Ultra Lounge’s open balcony upstairs and Celebrity Lounge downstairs, guests can now enjoy live music from the region’s best bands in two venues under one roof.

Michael Whitemaine, Eldorado General Manager, states, "We are very excited about Allure Ultra Lounge and the change it brings to Shreveport-Bossier nightlife. There is no bar like it in our area, and it is a perfect complement to Celebrity Lounge. Our hotel rooms are also being completely redesigned, a project that will be finished very soon. It is important to us to ensure we are giving our guests the very best experience possible, and we do that by continually improving our already beautiful property."

Eldorado Resort Casinos is based in Reno, Nevada. For more information on Allure and Celebrity Lounge or to schedule tours and interviews, please call Leslie Peck at (318) 510-8899. Visit us online at eldoradoshreveport.com.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL:

Chris Jay, Director of Marketing

(318) 459-4116

***Media Advisory***

ROBINSON FILM CENTER TO HOST "STEPPING OUT ON THE RED" GALA OCTOBER 16

Event will benefit educational and cultural programs of the not-for-profit arts organization.

SHREVEPORT, LA - Robinson Film Center will host its inaugural "Stepping Out on the Red" Gala on Friday, October 16, 2009. From 7:00 PM to midnight, guests will dine, drink, and dance the night away in red carpet style at 617 Texas Street in downtown Shreveport. This event will also serve as the public unveiling of the newly-acquired building at 613 Texas Street, which was recently acquired by Robinson Film Center for the purposes of establishing a dedicated media education center featuring classrooms, multimedia production facilities, and more. Robinson Film Center staff will be on-hand to share plans for the new facility, providing gala guests an exclusive sneak preview of this new addition to our region.

Memphis Train Revue, a 10-piece soul and classic R&B band from Austin, TX will provide live entertainment. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and several open bar stations will be provided by Abby Singer’s Bistro, Robinson Film Center’s full-service restaurant and bar located on the second floor. Guests are encouraged to dress in "celebrity chic" attire or in costume as their favorite movie star.

The event will also feature a unique Reverse Raffle. Contestants who enter will have a chance of winning the $10,000 grand prize or one of several other fabulous prizes. Numbers will be drawn throughout the evening with the last number remaining being the winner. Raffle tickets are $100 each and available for purchase at the gala or in advance by calling (318) 459-4122. Contestants need not be present to win.

Gala tickets are available for purchase by calling (318) 459-4122 and are priced as follows:

Individual Ticket: one gala admission - $150

Red Carpet Couple: Two gala admissions plus one Reverse Raffle ticket - $400

Director: Choose from four customizable ticket packages at www.robinsonfilmcenter.org/gala - $1,000

Producer: Eight gala admissions, four Reverse Raffle tickets, a personalized nameplate on a theater seat, and recognition in event program - $2,500

Jennifer Zanmiller and Lindsay Holman Atkins are co-chairs for this event, with Amy Kathleen Smith serving as publicity chair.

All funds raised at this event will benefit the educational and cultural programs of Robinson Film Center, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit arts organization located at 617 Texas Street in downtown Shreveport. Since opening in May 2008, the center has provided a venue for independent, international, and classic cinema not otherwise available in this region while serving as a resource for film production and media education. For more information, visit www.robinsonfilmcenter.org.

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The Prevailing Winds Symphonic Band to begin Fall Cycle

Shreveport-Bossier, La. - The Prevailing Winds Symphonic Band, will begin it’s Fall 2009 cycle of rehearsals on Thursday, September 24. The ensemble, under the director of Mr. Mark Minton, will meet at 7:00 P.M. in the band room at the new Parkway High School located at 2010 Colleen Drive, about five miles South of the school’s former location.

This unique organization is composed of professional and non-professional musicians from throughout Shreveport and Bossier City who volunteer their time and talent simply to the enjoyment of music. The group is supported by grants from various local, state, and national arts organizations, and by private donations. The ensemble provides life-long musicians the opportunity to continue their involvement in the performing arts and furthers aesthetic development, increased intellectual understanding of music and performance, and spirituality in making music. 'Membership is open to adults and high school students who play an instrument suitable for a concert band. No auditions are required. The band offers free public concerts throughout the year. The repertoire includes traditional concert band music, military marches, operatic and orchestral transcriptions, and Broadway medleys.

Rehearsals for the upcoming Fall cycle will be held on Thursday evenings and culminate in a concert later in the Fall. For more general information on The Prevailing Winds, visit www.theprevailingwinds.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE September 8, 2009

FAST FACTS:

WHAT: 2009 Harvest Moon Stroll WHEN: Sunday, October 4, 2009 from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. WHERE: Gardens of the American Rose Center, just off I-20, Exit 5 in Shreveport, LA

Home of the American Rose Society, the Gardens of the American Rose Center was created in 1974 through the contributions of rose lovers around the world. The 118-acre park contains more than 65 individual gardens with each bed and planting specially designed to demonstrate ways roses can be grown in the average home garden. It is conveniently located just off of I-20, Exit 5, in Shreveport, LA.

Released By: Maria Scott, Advertising/Marketing Manager, 318-938-5402 ext 101, maria@ars-hq.org

For Immediate Release

September 9, 2009

For more information, contact Jessica Oliver / office (318) 741-7800, cell phone (318) 207-7363

LOUISIANA DOWNS TO CELEBRATE 30TH ANNIVERSARY RUNNING OF SUPER DERBY

(Bossier City, LA) – Louisiana Downs is celebrating the 30th anniversary running of the Super Derby! Bring the whole family out to experience the majesty and excitement of live thoroughbred racing! Enjoy Louisiana’s biggest race of the year and prelude to the 2009 Breeders’ Cup World Championship. There’s something for all ages at Louisiana Downs. Super Derby is scheduled for Saturday, September 19th with the first post time at noon.

Saturday, September 12th

Wiener Dog Races and Kid Races – Saturday, September 12 starting at 10am

Come out to watch daring dachshunds dash for the finish line! The wiener dog races are hilarious to watch and fun for all ages. The kids’ races will be between each dog race.

Saturday, September 19th

IFOCE Grits Eating Contest – 10:00am

The annual Grits Eating Contest is back! Watch some of the top eaters in the country compete for the prized Grits Championship trophy. Eater X, Tim Janus, will defend his Grits Champion title against Joey Chesnut, the world’s best eater, and Bob Shout the #5 ranked eater, plus many more! Also, cheer on your favorite local radio disc jockeys and t.v. news reporters as they scarf down pounds of grits. Deejays and news reporters from K94.5, 99X, MIX 97.3, KRMD, 710AM, and KSLA Channel 12 News will compete against one another and some of the world’s best eaters! Don’t miss the greatest Grits Eating Contest in the world only at Louisiana Downs!

Family Day Tent – 10:00am-6:00pm

The kids (and parents, too) will have a great time with sand art, face painting, a sand box and much more! Join us in the tent located on the apron.

Jockey Meet & Greet – 10:30am-11:30am

Mix and mingle with star Super Derby jockeys and Anna Roberts, the country’s prettiest jockey.

Super Derby Hat Contest – 10:00am-1:00pm

Ladies, get into the spirit of Louisiana’s premier thoroughbred race, Super Derby. Register to enter into the Annual Super Derby Hat Contest between 10am and 1pm. Hat contests will be judged between races. You could win one of three categories: Spirit of Louisiana, Classic, or Most Original.

Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. is the world's largest provider of branded casino entertainment through operating subsidiaries. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada nearly 70 years ago, Harrah's has grown through development of new properties, expansions and acquisitions, and now owns or manages casinos on four continents. The company’s properties operate primarily under the Harrah’s, Caesars and Horseshoe brand names; Harrah’s also owns the London Clubs International family of casinos. Harrah's Entertainment is focused on building loyalty and value with its customers through a unique combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership. More information about Harrah’s is available at its Web site – www.harrahs.com. Know When to Stop Before You Start®. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-522-4700. © 2009, Harrah’s License Company, LLC.