Take a look back at some amazing events that happened in Shreveport-Bossier in 2022
Throughout the year, we celebrated several different types of events right here in Shreveport and Bossier. From the mass wedding on the Bakowski Bridge of Lights to the biennial Christmas in the Sky gala, here's a look back at some of the fun we've had this year.
The Bakowski Bridge of Lights
We kicked off the year with a new addition to downtown Shreveport and a unique party to celebrate it. On Tuesday, February 22 the Bakowski Bridge of Lights on the Texas Street Bridge made its big debut with its first lighting, dedication and a mass wedding.
The Shreveport Regional Arts Council along with Broadway lighting designer Jason Lyons worked alongside the community to create this new artistic staple in downtown Shreveport.
Most Influential Women Awards
The Virginia K. Shehee Most Influential Woman and Most Influential Young Woman Awards were created to recognize the women who are dedicated to making Shreveport a better place through business leadership, civic engagement and philanthropic spirit.
This was the sixth year for the Most Influential Woman Awards and the first year for Most Influential Young Woman Awards and the proceeds from the luncheon and sponsorships benefit the independent, nonprofit organization Holy Angels.
Nominations for the 2023 awards will open soon.
StorytellHERS
This special event screened eight short films made by local women filmmakers and were shot in Shreveport. The evening ended with a Q&A where the directors were able to go more in-depth about their films and the choices they made in making them.
Taco Wars
One of the most anticipated events of the year made its return after taking two years off thanks to COVID. Taco Wars had a record-breaking turnout from the community and is the region's largest taco and salsa festival.
The free event brought the heat with 10 local taquerias battling it out for the coveted Golden Taco and Golden molcajete awards for best taco and salsa of the day.
Artbreak
This local event features the various talents of the kids in Caddo Parish with over 95,000 square feet of artwork of all kinds.
GLO Fest
The beginning of the summer season kicked off with the first official "Glo Fest" put on by the Shreveport Regional Arts Council at the new Bakowski Bridge of Lights at the Shreveport Riverfront.
Music, food trucks and an artist market set up at the riverfront once a month for a night of free family fun for the entire Shreveport-Bossier community.
Field Gay
One of ShrevePride's most loved events returned to A.C. Steere Park and Field Gay was created as a way to bring the community back together after the COVID-19 quarantine in 2020.
The day was filled with classic field day games and activities like hula hooping, tug of war, a three-legged race and much more.
ARTini
The Bossier City Arts Council's annual ARTini event is a fun way for the community to experience different themed martinis from some of Shreveport and Bossier City's best restaurants.
Attendees could grab a unique hand-painted martini glass and take a stroll through the Civic Center to taste 19 different martinis all competing for the Judge's Choice, People's Choice and Most M'ARTisanal.
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Q-Prom
This prom event for adults was the event of the season after a two-year hiatus and it came back with a Y2K theme.
As an ode to the 90s girl group the Spice Girls, the theme was "Spice Up Your Life" and every level and section of The Supper Club in Shreveport was dedicated and decorated to represent each Spice Girl.
Geek'd Con
This year Geek'd Con had fans "Scream"-ing over some of its guest stars. The Shreveport Convention Center was brimming with booths selling geeky crafts, comic books, rare Pop! Figures, custom artwork and more.
In addition to adding to your nerdy collection, guests had the opportunity to mingle with storm troopers, the kids of Stranger Things, superheroes and more while getting to meet the original stars of the film "Scream".
TASTE
This unique event hosted by Holy Angels gives the community an opportunity to get a "taste" of Shreveport and Bossier City restaurants while supporting an important cause.
Highland Jazz and Blues Fest
The 18th annual Highland Jazz and Blues Fest made its way to Columbia Park and the community came out to enjoy a day of live music from local and national jazz and blues artists, food and local art.
Red River Revel
Since 1976, the Red River Revel Arts Festival has been offering the community a chance to try local cuisines, enjoy and purchase local art and be entertained by an array of musicians from all over.
Prize Fest
The annual Prize Fest is two weekends of showcasing local and national talent in various artistic categories to win top honors, bragging rights and cash prizes.
During weekend one, musicians and fashion designers from Shreveport and beyond competed for the coveted grand prizes.
Weekend two saw comedians, chefs and filmmakers from all over the country battle it out for their respective top honors.
Christmas in the Sky
Our final event of the year was the return of the biennial Christmas in the Sky arts fundraiser gala for the Shreveport Regional Arts Council.
This unique black-tie event brought the community out for a night of glitz and glam with a fairytale theme to participate in silent and live auctions where the proceeds help fund the SRAC programs for the next two years.
Meredith G. White is the arts and culture reporter for the Shreveport Times. You can find her on Facebook as Meredith G. White, on Instagram and Twitter as @meredithgwhite, and email her at mgwhite@gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Look back at some of the biggest Shreveport- Bossier events of 2022
