Shreveport - Bossier, Louisiana's Other Side

Event will be held at Barnwell Garden and Art Center, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesday, July 24

SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER, LA – Representatives of five regional destination marketing organizations – Alexandria-Pineville, Minden, Monroe-West Monroe, Natchitoches, and Shreveport-Bossier City – will unveil a new lighted holiday set piece and details of a Louisiana Bicentennial Celebration presented by the Holiday Trail of Lights. Representatives will also announce holiday-themed celebrations, attractions, and activities planned for 2012 at a media luncheon being held at the Barnwell Garden and Art Center, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Tuesday, July 24. The Barnwell Garden and Art Center is located at 601 Clyde Fant Parkway in downtown Shreveport. While the event is free and open to the public, RSVP is required. To RSVP, call (318) 222-9391 or e-mail ldavis@sbctb.org.

The luncheon will provide representatives of the media and the public at large with a first opportunity to learn about new and returning events and activities planned for the five destinations represented by the Holiday Trail of Lights. The luncheon will feature a festive atmosphere including “snow” falling outside of the Barnwell Garden and Art Center, a special performance by the Minden Community Chorus, appearances by holiday beauty queens from throughout the region, and more.

FOR INTERVIEWS: Members of the media seeking interviews with organizers, please contact Sarah McKinney-Williams at (318) 286-4252 (cell) for on-site assistance, if needed.     
                                                 
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Team registration now open for September 15 event

SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER, LA – The Rotary Club of Shreveport will present the 4th Annual Red River Dragon Boat Festival beginning at 8:30 a.m., Sept. 15 at Riverview Plaza on Clyde Fant Parkway in downtown Shreveport. Dragon boat races will begin immediately following an opening ceremony. Registration is now open to dragon boat teams interested in participating in the event. 

This year, organizers have opened registration to youth teams ages 14-18, with parental consent. In addition to racing, the day-long event will also include food vendors and music. Patrol boats from the Caddo and Bossier Parish Sheriff departments, as well as the Louisiana Wildfire and Fisheries, will be on standby throughout the day.

Since its inception in 2008, the Red River Dragon Boat Festival has grown in popularity. Last year’s festival drew 29 teams, including teams from the Shreveport-Bossier, Lafayette, Dallas and Houston regions.

“It’s like coming and having a picnic with a thousand of your friends on the river because you can come out, watch the races, and watch the kids dancing. It’s just a great way to get out on a September weekend and have free fun,” festival co-chair Charlotta Nordyke said.

Admission is free for spectators. Registration is $900 per team. Each team must consist of 20 paddlers and a drummer. The registration fee includes a practice session on the Red River, festival t-shirt for each team member, a team tent at Riverview Plaza and a minimum of three races on festival day.

Proceeds from the festival benefit the Rotary Club of Shreveport’s outreach projects in education, social services and community. Call (318) 221-3053 or (318) 286-1274 or email at shreveportrotary@gmail.com for registration and additional information.

For more information on Shreveport-Bossier: Louisiana's Other Side, including information on area hotels, restaurants and attractions, visit www.shreveport-bossier.org.  

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Louisiana is gearing up for the celebration of the century as the state marks its 200th anniversary of statehood in 2012. Involving both education and celebration, Bicentennial events are being planned in every corner of the state. For a statewide calendar of Louisiana events or information on planning a memorable visit to Louisiana, visit www.louisianatravel.com.

Annual event will be held at DiamondJacks Casino, 6 p.m., July 21

SHREVEPORT-BOSSIER, LA - Celebrate a cultural tapestry through the flavor, sight, and sound of the many ethnicities represented in Northwest Louisiana, including Creole, Cajun, Native American, Korean, Filipino, Scottish, Turkish, German, Japanese, Hispanic and more, during the Multicultural Center of the South's annual "A Taste of Culture" event. The event will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, July 21 at DiamondJacks Casino. Featured chefs include DiamondJacks' own Gunter Kilian and Sushi Chef, Gloria Liu. Host Emcee, Michelle White Lafitte of KTAL Channel 6 will preside over a silent auction and entertainment from various cultures. Admission is $35. For ticket information, call (318) 424-1380.

This event is sponsored by The Multicultural Center of the South in conjunction with these sponosors: DiamondJacks Casino, AT&T, El Dorado Casino and Resort and Dr. Reddy’s Pharmaceuticals.

The Multicultural Center of the South is a non-profit organization designed to educate the general public about the rich diversity and history of Shreveport, Bossier, Northwest Louisiana and the South. Visit us at 520 Spring Street, Shreveport, LA 71101, or call (318) 424-1380.

For More Information:
Janice Gatlin, (318) 773-6180
Patty Kim, (318) 564-0303
Loreta Leavitt, (318) 798-9967

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