GEMINI 2012 PARADE

Downtown Shreveport Float Parking Map

Parade logistics for this year will basically be the same as they were last year.  The only changes are the order of the floats in the staging area.  We are NOT reversing our route as Centaur is doing this year.

Parking:

We will not be parking at the Loyola sports complex again this year.  At the end of the parade, the floats will be escorted back to the upper and lower lots of the Festival Plaza.  Prior to the parade you may park in the parking lot between Riverview Hall and the railroad, on the Union Pacific lot across Lake Street from Sci-Port, any of the public spaces along Commerce, the garage across Milam from the Riverview Auditorium, the Regions parking garage, and any of the on street parking downtown.  DO NOT PARK IN EITHER OF THE FESTIVAL PLAZA LOTS.

If you need to unload any items for your float, the closest points of access for vehicular traffic will be Milam at Clyde Fant and Lake at Clyde Fant.

Reserved parking for the Royalty will be available on the paved parking lot between the upper and lower Festival Plazas off of Crockett.  Parking passes will be provided to the Royalty Chair for distribution.

Staging:

Staging of the parade will be the same as past years.  Floats will be staged along Clyde Fant and Crockett.  Specialty groups will be staged in the Festival Plaza lots.  Riverview Hall will be open for our use.  Table and chairs will be available and restrooms will be open.

Float Lieutenants please make sure to top off your generators prior to the 4:30 pm parade time.

Parade Route/Rules:

The parade route is the same as last year.  We will proceed along Clyde Fant, Shreveport-Barksdale Hwy., East Kings Hwy and end at the “Parade End” sign just north of Preston.  SPAR has sold spots in the “No Throw Zone” between the sign and Preston.

Parade rules are the same this year.  The ramp from Clyde Fant to Shreveport-Barksdale Hwy is no longer a “No Throw Zone.”  Everyone should have received a copy of the parade rules in an earlier email.  A copy of the rules will be posted on each float.

Some of the “rules” are actually enforceable city ordinances, and some are krewe rules which could result in fine assessments.  What is important is that EVERYONE observes the rules so that our presence to the public on the streets and the airwaves will be a positive one!

End of Parade:

Once your float has turned onto Preston and cleared the crowds, you will need to pick up your walkers.  Please save a collection of throws for your walkers---they do this as volunteers and all of the money goes to their organization—not them.

The floats will be escorted back to Festival Plaza in waves.  While you are waiting or are in route, please clean your float of any trash that could blow out.  You may use the two dumpsters at the plaza for disposal of your trash.

Once back to the plaza, your float will either be parked in the upper or lower lot.  Once your float is parked you may disembark, but NO CARS WILL BE ALLOWED IN THE FESTIVAL PLAZA FOLLOWING THE PARADE. Any large items which need to be removed from your float may be obtained at the den after noon on Sunday and any day of the week following the parade.

Anyone needing assistance getting from the Festival Plaza to their car should please email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it so that we can make arrangements for a golf cart to meet you upon your return.

Two SPD officers will be providing overnight security for the floats at the Festival Plaza.

This year there will again be an “After Party” in the Riverview Hall immediately following the parade.  Details on the party have been published in earlier emails and announcements.

I greatly appreciate everyone’s cooperation, support and patience as the committee works to pull together another great parade.  And most importantly, do not forget---- HAVE A GREAT RIDE!

Thanks,
Brad Graff
Parade Co-Captain

This week before the parade there is a lot to do on your floats.

• Final cleanup floats and storage building
• Repair any items found by the Fire Marshal
• Attach fringe
• Paint tongue (float not yours) black
• Test electrical system
• Have a gas can for generator fill
• Be sure gas can gets to the trailer for parade sight
• Have a driver at the DEN at 7 AM Sat. 02-18 pull float downtown
• Have a driver to pull float back to the den Sun. 02-19
• Top off the generator with gas Sun. 02-19

Have a great parade.

Ed Hoover
Float Chair

Membership News for February Newsletter

This is the status update of current membership.

Status Date - 1/9/12
New Riders 11-12 Season - 0
FULL Members - 298
OUT TOWN Members - 10
ASSOC Members - 12
SOCIAL Members - 18
SPECIAL Members (honorary & exchange services) - 7
LIFETIME Members - 1
POTENTIAL TOTAL - 346
Renewed to Date - 346
Not Renewed - 0

Also please join me in welcoming the below New Krewe Members for the 2011-2012 Season.

Float - New & Returning Member - Board Mtg Approved
FG - Jean Johnson - Apr mtg
FG - Kevin Johnson - Apr mtg
FG - Mary Ann Edens - Apr mtg
H - Keith Sutton - Apr mtg
H - Denise Sutton - Apr mtg
H - Debra Taylor - Apr mtg
H - Judith Jackson - Apr mtg
Q - Shelly Simpson - June mtg
L - Randy Meyers - June mtg
L - Brenda Meyers - June mtg
S - Marilyn Creswell - June mtg
P - Rex Gudritz - June mtg
P - Pamela Gudritz - June mtg
H - Samantha Cowen-Lynch - June mtg
O - Darlene Vaughn - June mtg
O - Mike Vaughn - June mtg
H - Robert Hattan - June mtg
FG - Jason Riley - June mtg
FG - Kelly Riley - June mtg
H - Alan Mason - July mtg
H - Carolyn Mason - July mtg
J - Stephen Speights - July mtg
J - Elizabeth Speights - July mtg
Q - Craig Eychaner - July mtg
Q - Karen Eychaner - July mtg
FG - Dustin Laroux - July mtg
I - Tony Richardson - July mtg
I - Carla Richardson - July mtg
S - Christina Rachal - July mtg
S - Ross Rachal - July mtg
P - Greg Binning - July mtg
P - Jennifer Binning - July mtg
R - Katie Carrell - July mtg
FG - Robert Laffitte - July mtg
Z - Connie Talley - July mtg
Z - Sharon Andrews - July mtg
Z - Jason Daley - Aug mtg
Z - Danielle Petty - Aug mtg
Z - Karen Lites - Aug mtg
P - Andy Plunkett - Aug mtg
CM - Eloise Graf - Aug mtg
J - Johnny Johnson - Sept mtg
J - Sandra Johnson - Sept mtg
I - Rance Collins - Sept mtg
I - Rick Pierce - Sept mtg
I - Zoe Pierce - Sept mtg
FG - Megan Gardner - Sept mtg
J - Michael Cummings - Sept mtg
I - Peyton LaBorde - Sept mtg
I - Kari LaBorde - Sept mtg
R - Jim Kirkland - Sept mtg
R - Marilyn Kirkland - Sept mtg
Q - Sue Austin Brock - Oct mtg
CM - Trey Smith - Oct mtg
CM - Ashley Smith - Oct mtg
CM - Jerry Lorey - Oct mtg
CM - Merritt Lorey - Oct mtg
H - Stephanie Lusk - Dec mtg
H - Bryan Lusk - Dec mtg
FG - Jim Harris - Dec mtg
H - Christine Cinatl - Jan mtg
H - Amanda Maynard - Jan mtg

Lauri Wallace
Membership Chairman
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PARADE RULES FOR ALL RIDERS

Please remember to act in a manner to endear the Krewe before, during and after the parade.  You are responsible for your actions.  If you drink, please do not over indulge and please have a designated driver after the parade to drive you home.

1. You must wear a mask and gloves at all times during the parade.  This is a Krewe requirement and a Mardi Gras tradition.  Anyone observed not wearing a mask or gloves may be subject to a fine of $50.00 and/or suspended from riding a float for one year.
2. Drink all beverages from a Krewe mug.
3. DO NOT openly display any alcoholic beverages.  THIS IS ILLEGAL!!!!!
4. DO NOT Throw any food items.
5. DO NOT smoke on the float at any time. FIRE HAZARD!!!!!.
6. DO NOT bring any glass containers on the float.  Transfer into plastic containers at home.
7. DO NOT “HAND” anyone throws during the parade.  This makes it difficult on the walkers and police to keep people away from the float.
8. DO NOT hang over the edge of the float.  People will grab the throws around your neck and arms.
9. DO NOT throw while the float is stopped.  This causes people to RUSH the float and makes it difficult for the walkers and police to control the crowd.
10. DO NOT throw to spectators, band, and walkers or police before the parade officially begins.  The parade starts at the corner of LAKE ST and CLYDE FANT PARKWAY and ends just before we turn off KINGS HWY on to PRESTON ST.
11. YOU MAY give throws to the police along the route.  For the walkers and drivers safety. It is best to distribute throws to them at the end of the parade.
12. THROW AWAY FROM THE FLOAT.  This helps keep the crowds back.
13. NOTIFY your Float Lt. immediately in case of an accident, injury or emergency.  Medical vehicles and police are available throughout the parade route.
14. DO NOT THROW IN THE POSTED “NO THROW ZONES”.  They are Railroad Underpass just north of Veterans Memorial from the beginning of the concrete dividers to the dividers end, and the Stoner Ave. Bridge.
15. DO NOT throw at the Channel 3 Broadcast Booth.  They are blinded by the lights and cannot see what is thrown.  Throw to the crowd around them.
16. BE GENEROUS WITH YOUR THROWS THROUGHOUT THE PARADE.
17. DO NOT EXIT FLOAT UNTIL COMPLETELY STOPPED!!!!
18. THANK YOU AND HAVE A FUN AND SAFE RIDE!!!!

These rules are for every ones safety.  Your Float Lt. is responsible for seeing that all riders follow these instructions.  Please do not make it any harder on your Float Lt. by having to remind you of these rules.  Who knows, you may be the Lt. next year.

Revised 01/10/12