The afternoon is bright and sunny as the crowds start to line the streets. Men and women—both young and old, some wearing colorful costumes, are packed up to five rows deep awaiting the start of the festival. As the anticipation mounts, pulse pounding music resounds as one of many floats turns a corner, making its way toward the masses. People start to cheer as members of the Krewe of Gemini shower the revelers with strings of beads, cups and imitation doubloons. People everywhere with outstretched arms are screaming at the top of their lungs the code phrase that all experienced partygoers know, “Throw me something mister!”

What is all this chaos? It’s Mardi Gras, which happens every February in the twin Louisiana towns of Shreveport and Bossier City. While New Orleans is better known for this fun and raucous event, these towns also know how to party but are much more family friendly with 12 volunteer organizations or Krewes preparing for this annual festival almost as fast as the last one is over. Each Krewe elects a king, who presides in grand style on one of the floats, waving to his adoring subjects. Prior to the actual parades, there are parties, gala balls and the pastry of record— king cakes. These are essentially coffee cakes decorated in purple, green and yellow sprinkles and filled with a cream cheese mixture with a small plastic baby, representing the baby Jesus, hidden inside.

Fun is the whole idea, of course, and if you have never been to a Mardi Gras celebration, you will want to start planning early to attend next year’s. But, even if you miss the big party, there are many attractions and activities to keep you and your family occupied at any time of the year.

With a combined population of 350,000, the towns of Shreveport and Bossier City are inextricably linked geographically and historically by the Red River that divides them. In earlier times, both towns depended heavily upon the river for a means of transportation and commerce. The discovery of one of the world’s richest gas and oil fields in Caddo Parish at the turn of the century added to the overall prosperity of the area. But, the oil business went bust in the 1980s, giving birth to another local industry— gaming.

There are five large riverboat casinos, attracting locals and visitors from across the border in Texas, along the Red River. In addition to slots, roulette and blackjack, major headliners such as Tony Bennett and Jay Leno play to packed audiences at dinner shows.

During the spring and summer, the river invites fishing enthusiasts to try for crappie and wide mouth bass. Dinner cruises are also popular as is bringing the kids down to the sandy shores for a family picnic.

There are over 20 museums in the Shreveport-Bossier City area, a Sci-Port Discovery Center with hands-on math and science displays, an interactive planetarium, and Louisiana’s only IMAX Dome Theater.

Things always look rosy in Shreveport since this is the home of the American Rose Society. There are over 118 acres of roses blooming in season and you will want to include a walk through their 65 individual gardens as part of your visit here.

Elvis Presley had his first professional gig in Shreveport on the Louisiana Hayride, which was broadcast from the Municipal Auditorium from 1948-1950. He earned $18 a week and was subsequently discovered by Colonel Tom Parker. The rest as they say, is history. You can take a tour of the auditorium and see a larger than life statue of The King out front along Elvis Presley Avenue.

The Louisiana Boardwalk opened in 2005 and has over 70 upscale shops and restaurants, including the Chocolate Crocodile. This chocolatier always seems to be packed with folks buying caramel apples, fudge and melt-in-your-mouth truffles.

If you come here hungry, you won’t be disappointed as the Shreveport-Bossier City region has some of the finest dining in all of Louisiana. Whether you want shrimp, catfish, barbecue, grits, fried chicken, or etouffeé (a rich combination of rice and gravy with chicken, shrimp or crawfish), there are taste tantalizing eateries to satisfy any craving.

Herby K’s has been a local favorite since 1936, serving po’ boys (a Louisiana submarine sandwich) and a customer favorite, the Shrimp Buster. Don’t come here (or any other place for that matter) if you are concerned about cholesterol. This is all about down home taste and enjoyment so let your senses splurge in the calories and fried foods.

You will want to save room for dessert at Julie Anne’s Bakery and Café where you can indulge in chocolate chip cream pie or, if you are visiting during Mardi Gras season, a slice of king cake. Each king cake is made by hand from the same sweet dough used for the Danishes.

Strawn’s Eat Shop is all about hot plate lunches of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and cornbread, and you can’t leave without trying a slice of their fresh baked strawberry pie. Even the hand-painted strawberry pie sign out front puts that subliminal message in your brain, and the pie really is as good as they claim. Even Southern Living magazine has lauded this eatery’s fare in a recent issue.

Shreveport- Bossier City is easily accessible via major airlines from San Diego. Be prepared for warm, humid weather if you are visiting June-August. If you have never been to Louisiana, come on down for some easy living, friendly people and authentic Southern hospitality.