Red River Revel expected to draw thousands

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) — One of the biggest events in Shreveport kicked off this weekend.

Thousands of visitors are expected in town for the Red River Revel.

Sunday was Day 2 of this year's festival.

"The Red River Revel is a very special thing that our community created," said Logan Lewis, the festival's executive director. "It's art, it's music, it's food and it's fun entertainment for the whole family."

Red River Revel starts Sept. 28]

For almost 50 years, the festival has brought together thousands of people from throughout the ArkLaTex to embrace Louisiana's culture.

"It's important for our community and also for me because we get to come together and see all the beautiful work that people make," Gabbi Olague said. "I haven't been here since I was a kid. And coming back, I get to experience it with new eyes and see basically I didn't appreciate (it) as a kid."

Organizers said the festival is one of a kind with more than 200 visual and performing artists from all over.

"They incorporate music, artists, foods, but in a more interactive way such as day night, or the high school-middle school glow party, you also have the Revel Ray Night after hours on Friday night or a lot of workshops," Lewis said.

Taylor Anne Demarst, an artist who came from New Orleans for the second year, said it's all worth it.

"I have people order from my website, and they be like 'Hey, I saw you in the Revel'," she said. "I have had people book wedding paintings with me because they were like 'I saw you at the Revel last year.' So it kind of creates a little community."

Admission is free during the week before 5 p.m. And kids under age 12 get in for free. Admission on weekends and after 5 p.m. on weekdays costs $5 per person.

"So you can come down and have lunch and see a live performance," Lewis said. "You can come in and view the art whenever it is a little bit slower and have more face time with the artists. A lot people who have the time to do that really enjoy the opportunity to go and spend a little bit more time in the art booths."

This year, the Revel also will have a Day of the Dead celebration in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Association of Northwest Louisiana.