The Beads Are Packed Away: Mardi Gras Season Comes to an End in Shreveport

Just like that… Mardi Gras season in Shreveport has come to an end. 💜💚💛

For weeks, our city was in full celebration mode. The Krewes of Harambee, Sobek, Centaur, and Gemini rolled through with incredible floats, music, and the kind of energy that only Mardi Gras can bring. The Krewe of Highland reminded us why that neighborhood parade holds such a special place in our community — creative floats, family-friendly fun, and neighbors lining the streets year after year.

And then there were the bals.

Elegant gowns. Sharp tuxedos. Royal courts. Months of preparation culminating in nights filled with tradition, pageantry, and celebration. Each bal felt like its own world — honoring history, community leaders, and the spirit of Mardi Gras in Northwest Louisiana.

From downtown parade routes to neighborhood streets… from formal ballrooms to backyard king cake gatherings… Shreveport showed up.

There were beads in our cars. Glitter in places we’ll probably find in July. Calendars packed with parade schedules and bal invitations. It’s a season that takes over in the best possible way.

But as the final float rolls and the last king cake is sliced, something shifts.

The traffic clears.
The costumes are stored away.
The calendar suddenly has open weekends again.

And while Mardi Gras is absolutely amazing, there’s a quiet comfort in returning to normal life. The rhythm slows. The routines return. The city exhales.

That balance is part of what makes living here so special. We celebrate big. We show up for tradition. We support our krewes. And then, when it’s over, we settle back into everyday life — grateful for the memories and already looking forward to next season.

Until next year, Shreveport…
Laissez les bons temps rouler.