102 beautiful, smart and talented young ladies will Mardi Gras in May as part of the Miss USA/ Miss Teen USA pageant to be held in Shreveport.

Come cheer for your state during the free parade in downtown Shreveport at noon on Monday, May 14. Enjoy Mardi Gras floats, throws, local Mardi Gras krewes, a marching band and more. Since it will be lunch time, go visit the food trucks that will be parked in the 500 block of Texas Street at the Caddo Parish Courthouse and dine under the trees.

IF YOU ARE COMING TO DOWNTOWN TO SEE THE PARADE-

Be aware that Texas & Milam Streets will close to all vehicular traffic beginning at 10:30 a.m. There are LOTS of ways to still get downtown and make it to the parade route. See the map for suggestions. A portion of Common and Market Streets will be shut down at about 11:45 and will reopen as soon as the parade is through.

Parking– On-street metered parking is available, and pay surface lots. Reminder that most of the surface lots are not free. Those that are are near the Municipal Auditorium, on the corner of Caddo and Commerce, along the Clyde Fant Parkway Riverfront and the two casino parking garages.

All the metered spaces on both sides of Texas and Milam from the 300-700 blocks will be bagged on Sunday afternoon. Those spaces will be opened back up to parking as soon as the parade is through.

IF YOU ARE ALREADY DOWNTOWN AND NEED TO GET SOMEWHERE-

SPD will try to get you across Texas and Milam after those roads are closed, but once the parade starts, you will NOT be able to cross either roadway.

Note that parking at metered spaces on Texas and Milam from the 300-700 blocks will be off limits until the parade is over at approx. 12:45.

Come bring your state flags and enjoy a beautiful day cheering on some remarkably accomplished young ladies.

More about the pageants, tickets, etc. right here.