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Did you know there was a raffle every year in Shreveport, LA to reserve spots on E. Kings Highway by the Duck Pond for the Krewe of Gemini and Centaur Mardi Gras parades? I generally ride in the parade so I've never had to worry about securing a spot, but I've always wondered how folks end with such great places to see the parade.

How can the average everyday Joe get one of those good reserved spots for the Krewe of Centaur and Gemini parades in Shreveport?

That's easy. Well, kind of. Just know it's too late to get a spot for this year. Let me explain. SPAR aka Shreveport Parks and Recreation is in charge of divvying up the spots along the Duck Pond on East Kings Highway each year for the parades.

Here's how it has worked in the past. In early November, SPAR sends out notices of renewal to existing 'spot holders.' In December, SPAR then opens up registration for the remaining spots via its parade lottery. At that point, any unclaimed spaces will then be available to those in the lottery on a first-come-first-served basis. Those spaces are usually awarded in the first week of January.

Bristol/TSM
Bristol/TSM
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To register for the lottery, contact SPAR Event Services at 318-673-5100. Lottery registrations are accepted Monday through Friday, 9 am to 4 pm. All you need to do is specify the parade you would like to reserve a space for. For information on other SPAR events, visit myspar.org and follow them on Facebook.

FYI, once folks get a parade spot in the lottery, they don't like giving them up. Sometimes you can take over someone's spot, almost like a sublease, but that's all up to your negotiation skills. Just know this, folks work out private Porta Potties and things like that years in advance, so be prepared!

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