Louisiana Boardwalk Carousel Photo Gallery: See Opening Night Smiles
After months of eager anticipation, the moment our entire community has been holding its breath for finally arrived, and what a magical night it was on the Louisiana Boardwalk!
Families flooded the riverfront for an evening of pure joy, and for dozens of local kids, Thursday marked an extra-special milestone: their very first spin on the newly restored carousel.
After weeks of painstaking restoration work, permits, and final safety approvals, the news we’ve all been rooting for is officially official: the carousel is back, and Shreveport-Bossier showed out to celebrate.
We’ve watched this local treasure get some long-overdue love over the past few months, but seeing it lit up against the night sky while listening to the sound of laughter echoing across the Red River made every second of waiting worth it.
Of course, the story behind this restoration makes it even sweeter. Chef Gabriel Balderas has been pouring his heart and soul into bringing this piece of local history back to life. Known across Northwest Louisiana for his culinary masterpieces at Zuzul Coastal Cuisine, El Cabo Verde, and his brand-new concept, The Brine (located right inside The Picklr on the Boardwalk), Chef Gabriel temporarily traded his chef’s coat for a painter’s apron for a passion project unlike anything he’s tackled before.
When I asked him how much he actually knew about restoring historic carousel horses before diving in, he laughed and admitted he was completely learning as he went!
That hands-on love and dedication radiated throughout the Boardwalk tonight. Seeing our community gather to watch a thriving riverfront staple come back to life was nothing short of inspiring. The energy was high, the smiles were contagious, and the excitement was loud.
Scroll through the photo gallery below to check out my favorite moments from opening night, and see if you spot yourself, your friends, or your kids enjoying a ride!
