SHREVEPORT, La. — Downtown Shreveport wraps up the 42nd annual Mudbug Madness Festival on Sunday, with organizers reporting strong attendance throughout the three-day event despite rainy weather.
The Cajun-themed festival, one of the largest of its kind in Louisiana, featured roughly 50 food and craft vendors, 29 musical bands and a series of crawfish eating contests. Thousands of visitors from across the Ark-La-Tex attended the Memorial Day weekend tradition.
Terri Matthews, executive director of Mudbug Madness and Downtown Shreveport Unlimited, said the festival drew large crowds, particularly during Saturday’s peak hours.
“Yesterday, it was full blown all day long, just thousands and thousands of people,” Matthews said. “We had a great day … all of these vendors out here have worked so hard. We’ve got food vendors, arts and crafts and a kids area.”
Matthews said organizers invested heavily in this year’s musical lineup and emphasized the festival’s role in bringing people downtown.
“It’s just a lot of fun. There’s nothing stressful about it,” she said. “You just come down here and have a great time. It touches all your senses.”
Organizers said the festival continues to serve as a signature downtown event, drawing visitors and supporting efforts to energize Shreveport’s riverfront and entertainment district.