Shreveport - Bossier, Louisiana's Other Side

The sudden death of Michael Jackson has stunned the world. His music touched people and moved them in ways that perhaps no other American recording artist ever has or ever will. I grew up on Michael Jackson moonwalking and being awed by everything he did.
His career has been incredible selling more than 750 million records worldwide. Thriller, his sixth album, alone sold 109 million copies making it the best selling album of all time.

To honor the life and legacy of Michael, a tribute will be held for him Saturday, June 27, at the Louisiana Boardwalk.

Local promoter James Haggard is organizing the effort that will start at 8 p.m. underneath the Texas Street Bridge near Salt Grass Steakhouse. Songs from Michael’s expansive career will be played. People are encouraged to come out, listen and reminisce. The night will end with those assembled singing We are the World.

“Michael Jackson is about unity,” Haggard said. “It’s important to come together to remember Michael Jackson and to remember that we are one people.”

Haggard is a private event coordinator. He worked for Radio Group’s 103.7 The Beat and as executive director of the Municipal Auditorium.

There's plenty to do in downtown Shreveport - especially for families. Beat the heat as you take flight with the stars and more at Sci-Port: Louisiana's Science Center.

Recently named to Parents magazines Top 10 science centers in the nation, Sci-port is a great place for kids of all ages!

See for yourself. Oh, and been there before? Take time to leave your comments. You may just have a chance to win free tickets!

The Farmer's Market, located at Festival Plaza in downtown Shreveport kicked off its 20th year with more than 7,500 attendees and 82 vendors on Saturday, June 13.

Attendance by both attendees and vendors beat 2008's opening weekend by a whopping 241 percent increase in attendees and 58 percent increase in vendors. Kip Holloway, who oversees operations of the Farmer's Market, reported the success of the first weekend is partially due to a national trend in which communities are looking for local produce as well as arts and crafts, and also the experience of meeting local farmers and craftsmen.

He also credits targeted advertising and Festival Plaza as a great venue for the market because of the covered pavilion, the parking and the central location for both visitors and locals from the area. The Farmer's Market runs every Saturday from 7 a.m.-Noon through Sept. 5 and every Tuesday from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. until July 28.

For more information, call the Red River Revel Office at (318) 424-4000.

– Submission by Kelly Wells, Vice President of Tourism Marketing for the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau

The Shores family, of Shreveport, is all about family-fun Mardi Gras celebrations.

Here the family awaits the start of the Krewe of Highland Parade! 

I talk a lot about the things I love to do in Shreveport-Bossier, but I'd like to know more about what you like to do.

Share a photo of you dining at a favorite restaurant, having fun at the area's best attractions, exploring the outdoors or another fun activity, and I'll send you one of our great new T-shirts!

Send your photos to tholland@sbctb.org along with your info and we'll post it to our blog.

Take a look at what you could win:

You'll could have your pick!

Congratulations to Jay Christy of Minden - one of two winners of Robinson Film Center movie tickets from the Inside the Other Side blog giveaway contest. Jay also will soon sport one of our latest T-shirt designs!

Stay tuned for information on our next giveaway!