The Krewe of Centaur

Welcome to the Krewe of Centaur's parade information page. Here you will find some interesting Parade Information, future Mardi Gras & Parade Dates, a description and map of the Parade Route, and a listing of Mardi Gras Terminology that might help you understand what's going on while your in town for the big Krewe of Centaur parade!  

Scroll down for the Parade DAY Tips. 

After reading this page, if you want more information on the parade or Krewe of Centaur, e-mail the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

If you want more information on how to join the Krewe and participate as a member in Shreveport/Bossier City's biggest parade event in history, go to the How Do I Join page.

If you have a specialty parade group that is interested in participating in the Krewe Of Centaur Parade, email the This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit the Krewe of Centaur contact us page for additional information.

Parade Information

Future Mardi Gras and Parade Dates

*Parade Dates Are Subject To Change.

Parade Route

Photo: The Times

                            Parade DAY Tips

The Route: For those that have a hard time reading maps: The parade will start at 4:30, on Clyde Fant Parkway (very near Sci-port), heading south. At Shreveport-Barksdale Bouldevard, it will turn west, passing in front of Shreve City. At E. Kings Hwy, the parade will turn south, and continue till 1 block BEFORE Preston. The parade is finished, and riders will stop throwing at that last block.  

Where to get?: Many folks ask "Where is the best spot along the parade route." It's hard for us to tell, we're not watching, we're RIDING in the parade. But, we expect that anywhere along the route you will be able to see the parade and catch some really cool stuff. Historically, Shreve City was absolutely WILD, but that area now has barricades, so in recent years it has become slightly more tame. The last leg of the parade, along E. Kings Hwy., used to be more family and residential oriented, but, now it has become more WILD (at least that's the way it looks to us from the floats). The most under-utilized areas in recent years have been ON Clyde Fant Parkway, not AT, but BETWEEN, the major intersections. (so park and do some walking).

     Also, do you want a Day Time or Night Time parade experience? Our floats are 'lighted', so you can see the float in day or night light. If you watch the parade at the beginning (near downtown) it will be mostly daylight, throughout the whole parade. If you get near the end of Clyde Fant and in front of Shreve City, you'll get a little daylight and mostly night light. If you get near the end of S'port Barksdale and all of E. Kings Hwy, it will be all night time.  

STREETS CLOSE !! : You may want to 'review' the parade route the DAY BEFORE or MORNING OF the parade, to determine what is the best spot for you. But, be aware, that the City  - CLOSES THE STREETS - at around 3:00 p.m. ... AND experienced parade goers mark their spot (by tailgating) starting EARLY, the morning of parade day.

 RESERVED SPOTS: The City of Shreveport 'leases' spots along E. Kings Highway. You must contact the City about reserving these spots. The Krewe has no control over these. Certainly, they are first come first served, and sell out quickly.

Alcohol Free Zone - Family Zone: The City of Shreveport maintains a family-friendly, alcohol-free zone. This is along Clyde Fant Parkway, from the old railroad trestle, N. to Stoner Ave. You may contact the City for more info. You can get to this area by driving down Stoner Ave, where it intersect with Clyde Fant Parkway.

Street Vendors - Want to sell your wares? The City requires a permit to sell merchandise along the parade route. You need to contact the City for that permit.

What About the Weather?: The Centaur parade ROLLS - RAIN or SHINE! So, watch the weather report. You may or may not need, warm clothes, an umbrella, or a slicker suit! The only thing that will stop the parade is a declaration of unsafe condtions (hail, excessive lightning, or a natural disaster).

SAFETY: There may be over 200,000 people on the streets during our parade, so we have to pay attention to safety. Don't cross in front or behind the floats (you think we can see you there, but we can't.) We encourage our riders to throw to the BACK OF THE CROWD, so that you don't get too close ... so, don't get too close. We STOP THROWING, when the parade stops (we don't know WHY it stops, but it does, so we use these moments as OUR mini-intermission, where we rest and re-load.)

NEVER: Throw anything back at the float. If you don't like what you have, give it to that kid next to you (that you've been stepping on)! (We're giving, and not expecting to receive. Our hands are full and we're not looking!)

ALWAYS: Bring a lawn chair, a sandwich, and an ice chest ... make a day of it. Respect others ... Obey the law ..HAVE FUN!! ... Take time to notice the ART - WORK that we've put into creating each float. (They are done by each individual float.) (and think about joining us!)

 ..... Happy Mardi Gras!

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General Mardi Gras Terminology

BAL (Bal Masque, Tableau Bal) - A masked ball in which scenes representing a specific theme are acted out for the entertainment of club members and their guests, Krewe royalty is traditionally presented during the bal.

BOEUF GRAS (French)- The fatted bull or ox, the ancient symbol of the last meat eaten before the Lent season of fasting.

CALL OUT - The tradition of at the Bal of royalty or members of the Krewe publicly presenting favors to friends in order to honor them; traditionally used in conjunction with a call-out-dance where a Krewe member will present a favor to a lady friend who reciprocates by honoring him with a dance.

CAPTAIN - The absolute leader of a carnival organization.

CARNIVAL - From the latin "Carnivale", loosely translated as "farewell to the flesh"; the season of merriment which begins on Twelfth Night (the feast of Epiphany), January 6, and ends at midnight on Fat Tuesday; the carnival season leads up to the penitential season of Lent in which fasting replaces feasting.

COURT - The king, queen, dukes, duchesses, prince and princesses of a carnival organization.

DEN - a large warehouse where floats are built and stored.

DOUBLOONS - aluminum coin like objects bearing the Krewe's insignia on one side and a theme logo on the other side; first introduced in the 1960 Rex parade in New Orleans; doubloons are also minted and sold as souvenirs in silver, bronze and choisone versions.

FAVOR - a souvenir, given by Krewe members to friends attending the Bal, normally bearing the Krewe's insignia, name and year of issue.

FLAMBEAUX (plural) - Naphtha-fueled torches, traditionally carried by white robed black men; in the 1900's the flambeaux provided the only source of nighttime parade illumination.

INVITATION - A printed request for attendance at a Mardi Gras Bal; in the 19th century, many invitations were die cut and printed in Paris, France; invitations are non-transferable and it is improper to refer to them as tickets.

KING CAKE - an oval shaped, sugared pastry that contains a plastic doll hidden inside; the person who finds the doll is crowned king and buys the next cake or throws the next party.

KREWE - The generic term for a carnival organization; first used by the Mystic Krewe of Comus which coined the word in 1857 to give its club's name an old english flavor.

MARDI GRAS - Also called "Fat Tuesday", this is the last day of the Carnival season and the day before "Ash Wednesday" the first day of the season of "Lent".

THROWS - inexpensive trinkets tossed from floats by costumed and masked Krewe members; among the more popular items are doubloons, plastic cups and plastic medallion necklaces.

TWELFTH NIGHT - The official beginning of the Mardi Gras Carnival season. Also known as the "Epiphany" (the day the wise men visited the baby Jesus). It is called twelfth night because it is always celebrated twelve days after Christmas, on January 6.