There IS a reason that Bossier City kicked the Mardi Gras parades to the west side of the river many, many years ago. It’s called too much expense with police and fire protection as well as parade cleanup.
For those who do no not remember, the parades initially started at Pierre Bossier Mall, went down Airline to Barksdale Boulevard and over the Shreveport-Barksdale Bridge.
The city of Shreveport now has all the expenses for the parades that stay on the west side of the river. But not all the tourists stay in Shreveport, eat in Shreveport or even go to Shreveport bars!
The Gemini and Centaur parades alone cost the city approximately $100,000 in payroll expenses that are provided at no cost to the krewes. This is for police, fire, EMS, SPAR and trash pickup.
It takes a lot of sales of booze and food as well as hotel/restaurant charges to offset that budget hit.
Both Shreveport Mayor Adrian Perkins and SPAR Director Shelley Ragle have hinted that changes will be made in the Mardi Gras parade contracts for next year. It can be expected that the krewes will not be fully subsidized for parades in the future.
It’s time, if not past time, for a serious review of the economic and quality of life benefits of Mardi Gras events versus the financial reality of the city and more balanced treatment of all festivals.
THIS ARTICLE WAS PUBLISHED IN THE February 14 ISSUE OF THE INQUISITOR.