FAQs

You can join the Krewe of Centaur by signing up for membership through the krewe's official website or by contacting the organization directly. Members who join gain access to float riding, balls, and all krewe events tied to the Shreveport Mardi Gras season.

Krewe of Centaur membership dues are approximately $150 per membership year. This fee covers your participation in krewe events including the parade and associated balls throughout the season.

The Krewe of Centaur membership year runs from April 1 through March 31. Dues open at the start of that cycle, so joining early ensures you are in good standing before float sign-up and event deadlines arrive.

Float riding sign-ups are available to active members who have paid their dues for the current membership year. Once your dues are current, you can register for a float position through the krewe's membership portal before the sign-up deadline each season.

A Krewe of Centaur membership includes access to the annual Mardi Gras parade, krewe balls, and other member events held throughout the season. The membership year spans April 1 to March 31, giving members a full calendar of activities to enjoy.

The Krewe of Centaur is based in Shreveport, Louisiana and is one of the city's established Mardi Gras krewes. Its parade route and events are centered in the Shreveport area, making it a top option for locals looking to get involved in the Mardi Gras tradition.

Yes, the Krewe of Centaur welcomes new members regardless of prior parade experience. First-time riders become part of the krewe community and gain full access to float riding and events once their membership dues are paid and active.

The Krewe of Centaur is a Shreveport-based nonprofit Mardi Gras organization that organizes an annual parade and series of member events as part of the city's broader Mardi Gras festivities. It is one of the established krewes contributing to Shreveport's longstanding Mardi Gras tradition.

You can join the Krewe of Centaur at any point, but the membership year officially runs April 1 through March 31. Joining before key deadlines — such as float sign-up — ensures you have full access to all parade and event opportunities for that season.

The Krewe of Centaur offers members a complete Mardi Gras experience, including float riding in the parade, attendance at balls, and a full calendar of krewe events — all for an annual membership dues cost of approximately $150. It is a well-established nonprofit krewe rooted in the Shreveport community.

Yes — Centaur is a 'working man's krewe' known for building and decorating its own floats. Members take hands-on ownership of the float-building process, which strengthens krewe bonds and keeps the parade experience deeply personal compared to krewes that outsource float production.

The Krewe of Centaur is one of Louisiana's largest single-parading krewes — a distinction that holds even when compared to New Orleans organizations. Founded in 1991, it has grown into the largest Mardi Gras parade in the entire Ark-La-Tex region of Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas.

Centaur actively supports local nonprofits including Operation Santa Claus and the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's at the Louisiana Boardwalk. The krewe's Serve Day programming and annual toy drive embed community service directly into the membership experience throughout the year.

The season opens with 12th Night on January 6 — the traditional Epiphany celebration that formally launches Carnival. Centaur hosts this event at the Bossier Civic Center, where Northwest Louisiana's Royal Courts are presented to mark the beginning of the Mardi Gras calendar.

The Grand Bal is Centaur's formal season-closing celebration held at the Shreveport Convention Center. It follows the annual Mardi Gras parade and serves as the krewe's signature black-tie event, where the Royal Court is celebrated and members gather to mark the close of the peak Carnival season.

It's a uniquely Centaur tradition spanning the three days leading up to and including parade day — featuring the Grand Bal, Float Loading Party, and parade in rapid succession. No other krewe in northwest Louisiana replicates this format, making it one of the most immersive Mardi Gras experiences in the Ark-La-Tex.

The Krewe of Centaur parade rolls along Clyde Fant Parkway and Kings Highway — one of Shreveport's most crowd-dense Mardi Gras corridors. This established route through residential and commercial stretches of the city draws some of the largest spectator turnouts in the entire Ark-La-Tex region.

Absolutely. Krewe membership is fundamentally a social experience — monthly den meetings, float-building sessions, balls, and community events create consistent touchpoints throughout the year. Many Centaur members say the friendships and professional connections formed inside the krewe outlast any single Mardi Gras season.

A Royal Court is a group of honored krewe members — typically including a King, Queen, Captain, Dukes, and Duchesses — who represent the krewe each season. Centaur is now on its XXXV Royal Court, a tradition spanning over three decades that recognizes members and adds pageantry to the parade and formal events.

Yes — the krewe's calendar runs well past Fat Tuesday. Events include the Vicki Mayence Golf Tournament at Northwood Hills in October, a Ladies' Shopping Event and Dress Sale, BYOB2 bead art classes, Serve Day, and the Walk to End Alzheimer's. Den meetings are held monthly on the third Monday of each month.