From rhoomega.com

From rhoomega.com

Often times there are several activities that are going on at the Shreveport Festival Plaza that many of us are unaware of. There is a crawfish eating contest at Mudbug Madness during Memorial Day, fresh tomatoes, okra, and other home-grown vegetables that can be purchased and sold at the Farmers Market, and an annual city-wide scavenger hunt with cash prizes awarded at the Holiday in Dixie Festival to name a few. Indeed, Shreveport is a city with a rich culture that pours family values and just good old-fashioned fun through its annual events!

On June 20-22, there is an annual event that derives from our history books that many of us are unaware of. This event is called the Let the Good Times Roll Festival and is brought to you by Rho Omega and Friends, Inc.  Celebrating 28 years of uplifting the community and improving the quality of life, Rho Omega and Friends continue to implement their mission statement to the Ark-La-Tex through their annual festival.

“This is a family affair for a good cause that promotes scholarship and community endeavors”, stated Festival Chairman, Fred Moss IV.

Although the Let the Good Times Roll festival is a celebration that features national and local artist complimented with the finest Cajun cuisine and local vendors this side of the Red River, it also commemorates the Juneteenth holiday also known as Freedom Day. What’s Juneteeth? I’m glad you asked, as many of us are not familiar with a holiday that in essence, changed the history of the South. While the 13th Amendment to the US Constitution was passed to abolish slavery on January 31, 1865, on June 19th (Juneteenth), 1865, Union soldiers enforced the Emancipation Proclamation and freed all remaining slaves in Texas. As of May 2013, 43 US states honor this special day of observance, Louisiana being one of them. Juneteenth celebrates equality of all races and rights and also promotes unity throughout the county.

It is important to remember our history so that we can not only reflect on our advancements, but also anticipate the celebration of the advancements to come.

For more information on The 28th Let the Good Times Roll Festival, visit http://www.rhoomega.com or the Let the Good Times Roll Festival Facebook Page.

Special Contributor to Shreveport News: Arien Ragster