Shreveport-Bossier Getaways May 2012 Newsletter



	May 2012 Newsletter


Let the Good Times Roll Festival
Good music, good food and good fun can only mean one thing – it’s time to Let the Good Times Roll. The 26th annual festival, hosted by Rho Omega and Friends, kicks off June 15-17, at Festival Plaza in downtown Shreveport. The stage is set to feature the type of big name and local artists, down-home Southern dishes and other family-fun activities that the event has become known for. “This is like our version of a Jazz Fest. We’ve been doing it for 26 years and it’s just getting bigger and better every year,” said Rho Omega and Friends Chairman Fred Moss IV. Through the years, the Let the Good Times Roll Festival has brought in some of R&B’s hottest stars, from Grammy-nominated duo K-Ci and JoJo to old school favorite Con Funk Shun. This year’s lineup continues that tradition with headlining performances by R&B heartthrob Tank, multi-platinum soul/R&B trio Tony!Toni!Tone! and hip hop/R&B crooner Bobby V (formerly known as Bobby Valentino). As always, this year’s lineup also includes regional favorites like Chris Ardoin and Nu-Step and zydeco stars Keith Frank and the Soileau Zydeco Band. Shreveport’s own Front Cover featuring Mark Scroggins are set to take the stage, along with Dorsey Summerfield and Baton Rouge marching band, Beat the Streets. Festival hours are 5 p.m. to midnight, Friday; noon to midnight, Saturday and Sunday. Live entertainment starts at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Admission is $10 each night. Visit the Let the Good Times Roll Festival website at www.rhoomega.com for more information.

Cool Off with Unique Frozen Treats

Visitors to Louisiana are often amused by the availability of drive-through frozen daiquiris throughout the state. While Tony's Liquor in Shreveport may not have a drive-through window, this local business does sell some of Shreveport-Bossier's most popular frozen daiquiris, including seasonal specials like Frozen Eggnog and Louisiana-inspired flavors like Bananas Foster.

Now, Store Manager Tony Cordaro and his staff have devised a new kind of adult frozen treat - house-made "ice cream with a kick." Sold by the pint, this velvety-smooth ice cream is available in flavors like Chocolate Cake, Key Lime Pie and Pralines n' Cream. All flavors contain approximately 8 percent alcohol. Visit 20X49.com, the Shreveport-Bossier Coinvention and Tourist Bureau's daily art, culture and food blog, to read how Cordaro and his staff created these unusual ice cream flavors.

As temperatures rise, visitors may want to sample other unique frozen treats offered exclusively by local businesses. Here are a few family-friendly favorites, recommended by the 20X49.com team:

The Humphrey Yogart from Counter Culture, www.counterculturela.com/home
The Cookie Mac'ster from Geauxsicles, www.geauxsicles.com
Concretes and Cremosos from Happy Bellys, www.happybellys.com
The Chocolate Sack at Wind Rush Grill, www.windrushgrill.com/Sunday_Brunch

Come For The 4th, Stay For The Fireworks

Looking for a festive way to celebrate the nation’s independence? Look no further than the banks of the Red River in Shreveport-Bossier for the 4th Annual KTBS 3/KPXJ CW 21 Independence Day Festival. This free, one-day event will be held on Wednesday, July 4 in Riverview Park on the Shreveport riverfront. Local television personalities will host a live broadcast from the park, and local entertainment will perform for an audience of thousands beginning at 5 p.m.

Festival-goers can also enjoy the event from the Louisiana Boardwalk, Northwest Louisiana’s largest riverfront outlet, dining and entertainment venue. Each year, the main event is, of course the fireworks show ignited after dark. While both the Shreveport and Bossier riverfronts provide up close views of the action, many spectators prefer to enjoy the show from the comfort of their own watercraft. Boat launches located along the Red River make access to the best seat in the house convenient. Visit www.ktbs.com to stay up-to-date on event details and for the latest weather updates.