Shreveport's African American History Parade rolls this Saturday, February 1, 2019, and here's everything you need to know!

The parade will start at 11 am but street closures will begin at 9:30 am. Below, you can find a list of detours and parade rules from the Shreveport Police Department. Line up for participants starts at 8 am. Unfortunately, registration to take part in the parade has already closed. Any questions can be answered by calling (318) 686-1508.

This is the 32nd year for the parade and observance organized by the African American Parade Celebration Committee. This year's theme is, 'African Americans and the Vote.'  If you aren't able to make it to downtown Shreveport to view the parade in person, it will be aired live on KTBS/KPXJ-CW21. You can fantastic pictures from last year's parade on the unofficial Shreveport African American History Parade Facebook event page. 

Parade Route

This year’s parade will start at the intersection of Milam Street and Common Street. It will proceed as follows:

·         Milam Street east to Market Street

·         North on Market Street to Texas Avenue

·         West on Texas Avenue to Common Street, where it will end

Parade Day Street Closures

At 9:30 a.m., the following streets will close:

  • Common Street @ Crockett (north)
  • Common Street @ Travis (south)
  • Louisiana @ Texas
  • McNeil @ Milam
  • Marshall @ Texas
  • Edwards @ Milam
  • Milam Street beginning at Lawrence Street and continuing east to Spring Street
  • Texas Avenue from Common Street east to Market Street
  • Sprague Street to Douglas Street
  • Douglas Street to Milam Street

Detours

Beginning at 9 a.m., traffic traveling southbound on North Market/Highway 1 from I-220 will encounter a dynamic message board at the intersection of North Market and North Hearne. The message board will direct all commercial vehicles to detour onto North Hearne and follow North Hearne to I-20.

Traffic that continues to flow South on Market Street into the downtown Shreveport area will encounter a uniformed officer and barricades that will be set up at the intersection of Caddo Street and Market Street. Traffic will be split and can either be directed to turn east toward Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway or west onto Caddo Street. Westbound Traffic will follow detour signs to Allen Avenue and Pierre Avenue, where vehicles will be directed to turn south. Traffic will flow to the intersections of Murphy Street and at these intersections; drivers can elect to take the entrance ramps to I-49 south, I-20 west, or I-20 east.

Drivers coming from Bossier into downtown Shreveport via the Texas Street Bridge will encounter barricades manned by a Police Officer at the intersection of Texas Avenue and Spring Street. All traffic must turn Northbound onto Spring Street.

These road closures will begin at 9:30 a.m. and remain in effect until the parade route can be cleared of debris and trash.

Emergency Assistance

Over 50 law enforcement officers from the Shreveport Police Department will be working the parade. Officers will be in patrol cars, on foot, on horses, and on motorcycles to assist. The Shreveport Fire Department will also be on hand. We encourage parade-goers to contact us if there is an emergency or they witness any suspicious activity or suspicious items.

Parade Rules

  • No alcohol will be allowed along the parade route
  • No glass bottles or containers will be allowed on the parade route
  • No one may cross parade barricades during the parade
  • No animals are allowed within 200 yards of the parade route, except service animals
  • No dangerous objects or silly string
  • No one may throw anything at a parade float
  • Large flags or banners are not allowed within 50 feet of the parade route
  • No underage possession of alcohol - violators will be subject to arrest
  • No public nudity will be tolerated - violators will be subject to arrest

Safety Tips

  • Do not leave children unattended - designate a meeting spot in case of separation
  • Do not fight or struggle over beads
  • Keep a safe distance from the floats
  • Keep valuables at home and lock your vehicle
  • Do not take purses or wallets to parades
  • Obey all traffic signs and directions from officers
  • Use common sense and be respectful to each other

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