Louisiana's Other Side offers many excellent, kid-friendly attractions for animal lovers of all ages. These fun and exciting places will cure summer boredom and offer a great opportunity to learn about nature's fascinating creatures. From alligators to llamas to tigers and even dinosaurs, there are animals at every turn, both outdoors and in.

Watch in amazement as giant alligators feed, wrestle and swim at Gators and Friends Alligator Park and Exotic Zoo. Visitors can view alligators in their natural habitat, in addition to a variety of animals in the park's fully stocked petting zoo. Visitors can walk among tame and cuddly miniature horses, kangaroos, ring-tailed lemurs, deer, goats, llamas, camel, capybara (the largest rodent in the world), and even Scottish cows. Not only can you get up close and personal with the animals, but you can even help feed them.

Chimp Haven is a national chimpanzee sanctuary whose mission is to provide lifetime care for chimpanzees that have been retired from medical research, the entertainment industry or are no longer wanted as pets. Each year the facility hosts Chimp Haven Discovery Days, a free event to give visitors a glimpse into what goes on at Chimp Haven. On discovery days, guests can take advantage of supreme views of the chimpanzees from the trails that line their natural habitat. Discovery Days will take place from 9 a.m.- noon on June 20; Sept. 19; Oct. 17 and Nov. 21.


Experience the Sunflower Trail and Festival

The annual Sunflower Trail and Festival will begin at 9 a.m., Saturday, June 27.

Presented by Red River Crossroads Historical Association, the free event is an all-day festival that celebrates the beauty of sunflowers. Patrons will enjoy a scenic drive along the trail of sunflowers planted along Highway 3049 between Dixie and Gilliam, La.

Once in Gilliam, the festival comes alive with fun, food, crafts and other displays. The festival ends at 4 p.m.


That's Entertainment
Become a Star, Make a Movie, Win $2,500!

Showcase your talents on screen or behind the camera in the Shreveport-Bossier Convention and Tourist Bureau's "Show Us Your Shreveport-Bossier" video promotion.

The bureau is now accepting video entries. All entries must be uploaded to YouTube.com and, upon approval based on specified terms, the bureau will embed those videos on the promotion website at www.Shreveport-Bossier.org. Video entries may be submitted through June 30.

Once all the videos have been uploaded and the video entry submission date ends, the public will decide who has the best video. Voting will run through July 17.

After all votes have been counted, the bureau, along with its partner the Robinson Film Center, will host a red carpet premiere event to showcase the best videos in the film center's Willis Knighton Theater at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, July 23. The top finalists will be recognized and some lucky person will receive a check for $2,500. This event will be FREE and open to the public.

Rules and regulations apply.


Laissez Les Bon Temps Roulez!

The annual Let the Good Times Roll Festival will celebrate culture through music and more, June 19-21, at Festival Plaza in downtown Shreveport.

The annual festival will host two stages of musical greats, along with various food booths and arts and crafts exhibits.

Some of the entertainment will include Zapp, Curley Taylor and Zydeco Trouble, Joe, Rebirth Brass Band and more. For a full list of entertainment visit www.rhoomega.com.


Hilton Shreveport, Shreveport Convention Center Make a Winning Pair

The Hilton Shreveport is a perfect fusion of southern hospitality and contemporary amenities. The full-service hotel is located in the heart of downtown Shreveport and is attached to the second largest convention center in Louisiana - the Shreveport Convention Center. Come experience Shreveport-Bossier City's premier luxury hotel and conference facility, the perfect choice for all your leisure and business travel needs.

The Hilton Shreveport features 313 guest rooms and 16 luxury suites, each with upscale amenities and state-of-the-art technology. Guestroom features include complimentary HSIA , a 32" flat panel cable television, and the Hilton Serenity Bed. Other hotel amenities include a full-service restaurant and lobby bar, fitness facility, and outdoor rooftop pool.