Small businesses pop in to Shreveport’s Humor & Harmony action

The countdown is on for all the events happening for Shreveport’s Humor & Harmony Weekend, August 8-11.

The ticketed events begin Thursday night at the Municipal Auditorium with the sold-out Big Bowl Comedy Show. A simulcast of the event will be at the G-Dome at Spring and Travis Streets. Entry to that is $20 per person.

The long list of ticketed events Thursday through Sunday includes everything from a car show at the Shreveport Convention Center to an All White Finale Party at the G-Dome.

There are also some things to do that won’t cost a cent and some things that will cost — yes, 50 cents —because small businesses have a sense of humor, too.

First, the free things

There is no charge for walking, people-watching or perusing the pop-up vendors. Commerce Street from Caddo Street to Crockett Street will be for pedestrians only. This area will be secured and free to enter.

The G Dome will be lit up after dark with a variety of projections, making this a great time to be in downtown Shreveport, according to event organizers. 

The Red River District under the Texas Street Bridge will be open to all ages and free to wander. The city of Shreveport tells us the G-Unit crew are still finalizing their plans there.

The “50 Fit Park” children’s event at Festival Plaza will be a ticketed event, but, according to the Humor & Harmony website, it will be “free for school kids and military.”

You will purchase tickets for this at Festival Plaza, but there is no information yet on the ticket price. The 50 Fit Park will be open Friday, August 9, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, , Saturday, 9 a.m.- 9 p.m. and Sunday, noon- 5 p.m.

The Shreveport Farmers Market will be set up Saturday morning at RiverView Hall at 600 Clyde Fant Parkway. Produce vendors will be outside, other vendors will be inside in climate-controlled comfort. 

The market runs from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Crockett Street will be closed, so you will need to access parking and the market via the Clyde Fant Parkway.

You can leave the driving to SporTran

SporTran is offering free rides to Humor & Harmony venues at the riverfront and Municipal Auditorium from a variety of locations including Mall St. Vincent.

Small businesses downtown are holding special events this weekend, too:

• In the Red River District, Bea and Curtis Lee, owners of Fusion Nutrition/Moons and Sage Spiritual Shop say they are pulling out all the stops.  
• Thursday and Friday Moons and Sage will have a reiki master offering services, Saturday and Sunday, a massage therapist will be doing neck, shoulder and back massages, three readers will be offering past life and astrology readings, and there will be flash sales.
• Fusion Nutrition will be mixing up special teas and a dark chocolate coconut milkshake. The business will be open each day of the Humor & Harmony Festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday , 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday .
• Other Red River District businesses are nailing down their special events, food offerings and vendors.
• A business pop-up is planned at J & R Gallery at 624 Commerce St. near Festival Plaza. It will be open noon to 5 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
• Angelo’s Deli, 605 Texas St., will have its “All Roads Lead to Shreveport” art and craft vendors both upstairs and down. Owner Zandy Hayes is also planning food specials and a free dessert with the purchase of any burger. Her special event hours will be 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
• At 620 Texas St., the Shreveport-Bossier African American Chamber of Commerce is putting on a pop-up vendor show noon to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. They promise a range of small, local, and Black business owners.
• Crockett Street Trading Company at 431 Crockett St. will be having some “50 Cent” fun with MoonPies and other items for sale for 50 cents and samples of Cajun pickles and candy. Their hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
• Robinson Film Center’s Abby Singer’s Bistro, 617 Texas St., is planning extended hours and Happy Hour pricing from 4 p.m. until close each night Thursday through Saturday. A DJ will providing entertainment each night.