MUDBUG MADNESS

Mudbug Madness is a private, non-profit organization which serves Downtown Shreveport. Organized in 1959, it has a broad-based 15-member board and has one full-time staff member: Executive Director, Mary Helen Marrs. Mudbug Madness’ primary function is to improve the quality of life in the Central Business District by producing and promoting downtown festivals, projects and events. Current funding for Mudbug Madness initiatives is derived from the Mudbug Madness Festival, BREW and a yearly Christmas ornament sale.

QUALITY OF LIFE INITIATIVE

Mudbug Madness works to make downtown Shreveport a better place to live, work and play.
A few of the important city center initiatives supported by Mudbug Madness include:

· Historic Perspective – Develops Annual Christmas Ornament depicting an iconic downtown landmark
· Increasing Tourism – Works with the Shreveport-Bossier Convention & Tourist Bureau to bring tourists downtown
by producing festivals and events and by decorating downtown for the holidays.
· Beautification – Partners with building owners who are interested in giving vacant buildings a face-lift to draw attention from buyers.
· Partnership – Works with the city of Shreveport to complete its vision of a fully-decorated riverfront.
· Maintenance – Working to improve Festival Plaza by painting and lighting Festival Tower so that it becomes a beacon for the east side of downtown.
· Sharing – Mudbug Madness provides marketing funds for start-up events through its grant program.

MUDBUG MADNESS

What began in 1984 as a two-day street festival in downtown Shreveport is now one of Louisiana’s largest and most popular Cajun festivals, featuring renown Cajun, Zydeco, Blues and Jazz artists, mouth-watering Cajun cuisine, raucous contests, and fun for all ages. Now a four-day festival held each Memorial Day weekend, Mudbug Madness is nationally recognized as one of the Southeast Tourism Society’s Top 20 Events and the American Bus Association’s Top 100 Event in the nation.

SHREVEPORT BREW

Experience an afternoon sampling internationally acclaimed and domestically micro-brewed ales, pilsners, stouts and everything in between at this annual event. In addition to more than 100 beers to sample, BREW patrons will experience live music, college football games on big-screen TVs, and delicious samples of signature dishes from some of Shreveport’s most popular restaurants.

CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT

Original artwork is by Lauren Ross Simmons
Each year, DSU/Mudbug Madness produces a Christmas ornament highlighting historic downtown architecture. This year, local artist, Lauren Ross Simmons, created a beautiful watercolor that showcased iconic downtown buildings. All proceeds from ornament sales are used to further Mudbug Madness initiatives in downtown Shreveport, specifically, lighting the riverfront for the holidays.

Contact Mudbug Madness to purchase
318-226-5641