Shreveport - Bossier, Louisiana's Other Side

Pinching tails and sucking heads! That’s what the fun is all about at the Mudbug Madness Festival, May 27-30, at Festival Plaza in downtown Shreveport.

Mudbug Madness is a four-day festival held each Memorial Day weekend and is nationally recognized as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events, drawing as many as 56,000 people in one day. The event offers mouth-watering Cajun and Creole cuisine, contests, and activities for all ages.

The festival features three entertainment stages and fun games. Some of the entertainers will be Grammy-winning Terrance Simien & the Zydeco Experience as well as Dwayne Dopsie & the Zydeco Hellraisers. To get a full list of entertainment visit www.mudbugmadness.com

But that’s not all the Memorial Day weekend has to offer in Shreveport-Bossier: Louisiana’s Other Side. The Steve Miller Band will be performing at Harrah’s Louisiana Downs (www.harrahslouisianadowns.com), May 29. Sam’s Town Casino and Hotel (www.samstownshreveport.com) will have a performance by the Beach Boys, May 30.

Make plans to take in some other great summer concerts and entertainment. Get your tickets early for the following events:

• Star Wars in Concert, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. Star Wars in Concert is a massive multi-media event which features stunning visuals, live orchestra, choir and narration, plus an exclusive exhibit of Star Wars costumes, props and production artwork.

• Sugarland “"The Incredible Machine" Tour, June 19 at 7:30 p.m. Grammy award winning country music duo Sugarland will be live in concert, performing their number one hits and treating concert-goers to a one-of-a-kind show.

• Jeff Dunham “Identity Crisis Tour”, June 25 at 8 p.m. Dunham has taken the art of ventriloquism to new heights transforming it into a cutting-edge comedy experience and proving that dummies can be funny! Known worldwide for his unique act, Dunham will bring his brand of comedy to Bossier City for an unforgettable night of laughter.

For more information on ticket prices and upcoming shows or to purchase tickets call 318-747-2501 or visit www.centurytelcenter.com.

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.