Mardi Gras in May kicks off the Miss Teen USA and Miss USA pageants in the SBC

KTBS Staff 13 hrs ago (0)

It was a perfect day for a parade.

"I think god really smiled on us today because the weather is great," Shreveport Mayor Oliie Tyler said.

Mardi gras in may kicked off in downtown Shreveport.

It was all to welcome 102 Miss USA and Miss Teen USA contestants to the Ark-La-Tex.

The theme of the parade was patriotism.

This year's pageant will be held in Shreveport at George's Pond at Hirsch Coliseum.

Pageant Coordinator, Liz Hennidan said the pageant is expected to bring in millions of dollars to Shreveport-Bossier along with lots of publicity that officials hope will bring more tourism.

"When we first started, it was 4.5 million, but the contestants came in a week early and they're staying a week later," she said. "Twenty-five girls drove, so their parents and families are here and they're spending money everyday in our community which is awesome."

The Miss USA pageant is on May 21 and will be hosted by Nick and Vanessa Lachey.

The Miss Teen USA pageant is on May 18.

https://www.ktbs.com/news/mardi-gras-in-may-kicks-off-the-miss-teen-usa/article_9b53eb66-57eb-11e8-be5f-e7fb0dc0004c.html