¡Celebración Especial! DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATION ON OCTOBER 5TH

This October, prepare for a festival mash-up that could only happen in Shreveport—a town where cowboy boots meet mariachi, and the Red River runs right through the heart of it all. The Red River Revel and the Hispanic Heritage Association of Northwest Louisiana have joined forces to host a Day of the Dead celebration that promises to be as lively as the catrinas (those charming paper-mâché skeleton figures) set to haunt Festival Plaza.

If you’re picturing a spooky, solemn event, think again. This is the Day of the Dead, after all—a time to party with your ancestors, swap ghost stories with Elvis, and maybe even share a margarita with Frida Kahlo. On October 5th, the festival site will be buzzing with color, music, and enough sugar skulls to keep the dentists of Shreveport in business until Christmas.

The week-long art installations alone are enough to make you wonder if you’ve stepped into an alternate reality—one where skeletons outnumber the living and everyone is suspiciously cheerful about it. Thirty local volunteers, ranging in age from 14 to 55, spent their summer crafting these catrinas under the watchful eye of Maestro Juan Hernandez. This maestro didn’t just waltz into town; he flew in straight from the Cultural Center of Guanajuato in Mexico, bringing with him the ancient art of turning papier-mâché into something that might just dance off into the night.

The result? A ghostly parade of catrinas that’ll make you question whether you should’ve gone to that Zumba class. These aren’t just your garden-variety skeletons—these are skeletal divas with flair, with some towering over the crowd and others lurking at ground level, just waiting to trip up an unsuspecting festival-goer.

But that’s not all—this fiesta of the afterlife is going high-tech (or at least high-steel). Over at the Commerce Street gate, you’ll find the “Vamonos Riendo” installation—a welded wonder brought to you by the Louisiana Job Corps and local volunteers who clearly weren’t content with just building birdhouses. The phrase translates to “Let’s Go Laughing,” which seems appropriate since you’ll be giggling at your own reflection in the polished metal before you even set foot in the festival.

And let’s talk about the ofrenda—the massive altar that’ll take center stage on the Overlook between the Depot and Discovery Makers Zone. This isn’t just any altar; this is an altar with star power. Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, and Frida Kahlo will be making posthumous appearances, in spirit at least. Whether you’re more of a “Hound Dog” or “Like a Rolling Stone” kind of person, there’s a spot for you to leave a memento—or at least snap a selfie with a skeleton.

With papel picado flags fluttering in the breeze, marigold flowers strewn about like confetti, and offerings piling up faster than Halloween candy, this ofrenda will be the beating heart of the festival. Expect emotional moments, a few tears, and probably more than one person asking, “Is that really a catrina of Elvis?”

The celebration culminates on October 5th, when the festival will be in full swing with performances that’ll make even the most somber skeleton tap its toes. Bands, dancers, and mariachi will take over the stages, turning Festival Plaza into a cross-cultural fiesta where the living and the dead can party side by side.

So mark your calendars, bring your best dance moves, and get ready to celebrate life, death, and everything in between at the Red River Revel’s Day of the Dead extravaganza. And if you see Elvis, tell him I said hi!

Elevate your festival fun with the exclusive Club 76 membership at the Red River Revel! As a Club 76 member, you’ll enjoy VIP perks, including access to a private lounge, complimentary snacks and drinks, and a front-row seat to all the action. It’s your all-access pass to revel in style, skip the lines, and make the most of your festival experience. Whether you’re here for the art, music, or just the good vibes, Club 76 is your ticket to a premium experience at one of Shreveport's most beloved events. Don’t just attend the Revel—own it!