Tuesday, 26 October, 2010 16:14
by Brandy Evans
I have always been told that you can’t help who you fall in love with; it’s what is on the inside that counts and love conquers all. Those same principles or ideas that are in place in my personal relationships hold true to my relationship with my community. It’s not just my community, it’s our community and it’s Shreveport-Bossier.
One thing is certain here in Shreveport-Bossier, life is simple and our hearts are big. We have adapted our own culture that is decidedly distinctive. A melting pot of Texas twang and Cajun customs. The pace seems to slow in Shreveport-Bossier. People take time to enjoy their surroundings and the history of our cities.
Festivals, concerts, dinners, even trips to the grocery store become some type of reunion; running into a classmate from high school or your third grade Sunday school teacher. You realize this is why you stay; this is what makes Shreveport-Bossier so great. It’s the big small town feel, it the smiles on our faces and our eagerness to help a neighbor. Southern hospitality is alive and well and it lives right here in Shreveport-Bossier.
The weather cools and the leaves begin to change, we see those bright red, white, and blue tents fill Festival Plaza. The streets downtown are filled with people attending the Red River Revel. The smell of food and the sound of live music fill the air. Sidewalk booths showcase unique jewelry and pieces of art. Our cities come alive.
The Revel comes to a close and soon after, carnival rides and food booths fill the fairgrounds. The hearts of children warm as they think of the State Fair of Louisiana. Adults find their inner child as they are flooded with the memories of their own fair experiences. And who doesn’t love fair food?
As we move away from the Revel and the Fair, the Louisiana Boardwalk lights the 30 foot tree and it’s a sign that Christmas is near. The cities soon begin to twinkle from the millions of Christmas lights that decorate the streets. Shreveport-Bossier is as picturesque as a Normal Rockwell painting.
But what would the holiday season be without football? In Shreveport-Bossier we love gridiron action almost as much as we love...okay more than we love anything else. You can’t go anywhere without seeing bumper stickers or t-shirts that say “Geaux Tigers” or “Who Dat.” In Shreveport-Bossier our time-honored football tradition is the Independence Bowl. Thousands gather for pre-game tailgating followed by a rush into the stadium to huddle under blankets, while cheering on our favorite college teams. It is the perfect way to move into the New Year and a new season filled with many more electrifying activities.
I will admit, I am smitten. I am in love with my community. There is so much to see and do in Shreveport-Bossier. I couldn’t imagine my life anywhere else. Shreveport-Bossier is the perfect place to stay, play and fall in love.
*************************************
Are you in love with Shreveport-Bossier? If you are, we'd love to hear about it. Check out our Facebook page at Louisiana's Other Side and tell us why you love Shreveport-Bossier. In the meantime, enter our Fall in Love with Shreveport-Bossier sweepstakes for a chance to win an overnight getaway in our cities. Click here to enter.
