Fifty years ago, a group of local volunteers set up the first Red River Revel and invited
their neighbors to come celebrate the arts. On Thursday, October 15, the State of Louisiana will
recognize what that invitation became. Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser will honor the Red River Revel for its
contribution to the culture of Louisiana at 8 p.m. on the Chase Main Stage, just before Better Than Ezra’s
headlining set. The recognition opens the second and final weekend of the 50th Annual Red River Revel
Arts Festival, October 15–18 in Festival Plaza.
“Every person who has volunteered, exhibited, performed, or simply shown up over the past 50 years
earned this recognition,” said Executive Director Logan Lewis. “Sharing it with the Lieutenant Governor
in front of a Revel crowd is exactly how it should be.”
“The Red River Revel has spent the last 50 years showing the world the very best of Louisiana,” said
Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “When you walk through this festival, you get to experience our
incredible art, our great music, our delicious food, and the best people on earth. We would not have this
world class event without the massive army of volunteers and local artists who have poured their hearts
into it for five decades. I am proud to celebrate this milestone in Shreveport and look forward to seeing
this great festival thrive for the next 50 years.”
State Investment in the Revel’s Next 50 Years
The recognition comes alongside a $50,000 appropriation from the State of Louisiana, approved by the
Louisiana Legislature and signed by the governor. The funding will support the ongoing cultural
significance and contributions to the citizens of Louisiana. “As we celebrate the 50th Red River Revel, I
was proud to secure a $50,000 appropriation from the State for this year’s festival,” said state Sen.
Thomas Pressly, a member of the Senate Finance Committee. “The Red River Revel enhances the quality
of life for our region by bringing people together through art, music, food and culture to showcase the
very best of Northwest Louisiana. I’m excited to join thousands of visitors to this year’s festival in
celebration of 50 years of the Red River Revel and look forward to the wonderful event continuing for
generations to come.”
Second Weekend Headliners
- Thursday, October 15 – Better Than Ezra: Alternative rock band formed at LSU, known for
melodic, post-grunge hooks and high-energy live shows. - Friday, October 16 – Shinyribs: The Austin-based nine-piece “swamp-funk” and “country-soul”
supergroup, fronted by Shreveport native Kevin Russell. - Saturday, October 17 – The Highland Collective featuring Dylan LeBlanc, Seratones, Maggie
Koerner, The Lackadaisies & Special Guests: A three-and-a-half-hour celebration of the
acclaimed generation of songwriters and musicians from Shreveport’s Highland neighborhood. - Sunday, October 18 – Windstorm: The legendary seven-piece soul, funk, and R&B band, formed
in Shreveport in 1983 by guitarist Ron Johnson, closes out Revel 50.
Trout Fishing in America continues its festival-long residency with at least one set each day.
More to See and Do - Fourth Grade Pixel Art: A large-scale pixel art piece, built square by square by more than 4,000
Caddo and Bossier fourth graders during the Revel’s Arts Education Week presented by AT&T,
will be on display all weekend. - Mosaic & Stained Glass with Ed’s Emporium – October 15–17, The Advocate Depot Stage.
Guests create their own glass pieces with hands-on instruction. - Youth Artist Exhibit – Saturday, October 17, The Advocate Depot Stage. Young artists ages 10–12
exhibit and sell original work. - 18 and Under MicroFest – Saturday, October 17, Ambetter Health DMZ Stage. A full day of
performances from young bands and musicians. - Artist Talks – SWEPCO Art Alley Stage. Photographer and Revel artist Joshua Lee leads
conversations with the second weekend’s jury award winners. - Noble Pedicab – Six-seat bike cabs carry guests between parking, the festival gates, downtown,
and PrizeFest. - Plan Your Visit
- Hours: Gates open at 11 a.m. daily. The festival closes at 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday and
at 9 p.m. Sunday. The AT&T Discovery Maker’s Zone closes at 8 p.m. daily. - Admission: Free before 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday. $10 after 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday and all
day Saturday and Sunday. Children 12 and under receive free admission. Free admission for
active military, police, fire personnel, and Barksdale AFB DBIDS cardholders is sponsored by
SWEPCO. - Know Before You Go: Pets, firearms, knives or blades, outside drinks, and outside chairs are not
permitted.
When Windstorm plays the final notes of Revel 50 on Sunday night, the festival will close its first half
century the way it began: with the people of this region gathered downtown, celebrating what they
made together. - Primary Sponsors
- Primary Sponsors for the Red River Revel are Chase Bank, City of Shreveport, The Alta and John Franks
Foundation, Pepsi, Live Casino & Hotel Louisiana, Eagle Distributing-Shreveport, and the Junior League
of Shreveport-Bossier. The Community Foundation of North Louisiana has also provided significant grant
funding in support of a variety of the organizations programs. - For more information about the Red River Revel, visit www.redriverrevel.com and follow the Revel on
Facebook and Instagram.