Krewe of Gemini Parade Set to Roll This Weekend!

2024 Krewe of Gemini Parade XXXV

Shreveport-Bossier is rolling into another parade weekend! Krewe of Gemini will host its 35^th parade on Saturday, February 10^th, beginning at Clyde Fant Parkway at 2:45 p.m. The parade will consist of masked revelers on floats, marchers and everyone’s favorite Shriner’s cars responding to the age old cry “Throw me something, Mister!” Beads, toys, trinkets and polystones will be tossed to parade goers. Under the right conditions, the Krewe of Gemini parade draws between 300,000 and 500,000 spectators each year along the 5½ mile parade route. All the world loves a parade and Shreveport-Bossier is no exception!

Prior to Saturday, there will be a float loading party on Friday, February 9^th, from 5-8 p.m., at the Krewe of Gemini Den, located at 2101 E Texas Street, in Bossier City. The Blessing of the Floats will take place at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend, as this is a chance to see the floats up close and personal, meet the 2024 royalty and snag some great Gemini polystones and swag!

 

This year’s Krewe of Gemini theme is Reality And Fantasy, featuring between 40 -50 parade entries. The massive parade proceeds along Shreveport’s parade route, which follows Clyde Fant Parkway south from downtown Shreveport, turns right onto Shreveport-Barksdale Highway and ends in the Broadmoor neighborhood at East Kings Highway Park. Parade Chair Patrick Gallagher said, “We’re excited about the parade. There will be tons of throws and beads. Many floats have specialty items they are going to throw. So look out for those!”

The 2024 Parade Grand Marshal will be Chief Master Sargeant Melvina A. Smith! Chief Smith is the Command Chief Master Sergeant for Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC), and Air Forces Strategic-Air, headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base. She is the senior enlisted leader responsible to the commander on matters concerning the welfare of the command’s Airmen. Krewe of Gemini members “are honored to have Chief Smith as their 2024 Grand Marshal. She is the Reality that lets us have our Fantasy.”

In addition to the Grand Marshal, be on the lookout for parade royalty including but not limited to the Krewe of Gemini Captain Tom Wyche, Krewe of Gemini King Roger Lites and Krewe of Gemini Queen Amy Reeves.

History

The Krewe of Gemini is the first parading Krewe in modern times in Shreveport and Bossier City, Louisiana. The Krewe is a nonprofit volunteer organization, which includes folks from all walks of life who enjoy promoting the Mardi Gras spirit in Louisiana.

The Krewe of Gemini was formed in 1989 out of the Bossier Chamber of Commerce. Chairman of the Board Bob Taylor and board member Cary Petty realized Bossier was in need of a festival or event that the city and parish could rally behind in a big way. With the guidance of Lt. Governor Paul Hardy and volunteer Freda Urban, the Krewe of Gemini was formed. The very first Krewe of Gemini Mardi Gras Bal was planned for February 17, 1990, and a huge parade featuring twelve Mardi Gras floats took to the streets of Shreveport-Bossier on Februrary 24, 1990. From an idea to reality, Shreveport-Bossier can now claim one of the biggest and most successful celebrations in the region.   

Krewe in the Community

In addition to bringing a fun-filled Mardi Gras experience to Shreveport-Bossier, Krewe of Gemini members give back to the community in a multitude of ways. Each year, the Krewe of Gemini collects and donates food throughout the month of November to help those families in need leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday. Gemini also collaborates with the Shreveport Police Department by gathering donations for Toys for Tots and Operation Santa Claus. During the Mardi Gras season, Krewe members visit various local hospitals such as the Northwest Louisiana Veterans Home, Ochsner LSU Health, Ochsner LSU Health – St. Mary Pediatric Floor, Willis-Knighton Pediatric Floor and Pilgrim Manor. When visiting hospitals, Krewe members are decked out in their festive Mardi Gras attire and pass out traditional throws such as beads, toys, and trinkets, to brighten the patients’ day and spirits! In a way, the Krewe members are bringing a condensed parade experience to those that are unable to attend in person.