History of Holiday In Dixie
Holiday In Dixie began as the result of a decision by our merchants and civic leaders of Shreveport. The first festival was held in 1949, and was developed by a dynamic young man named W.C. Money and the community affairs committee of the Shreveport Chamber of Commerce. The initial Holiday In Dixie was a large five day pageant staged with a cast of hundreds at the State Fair stadium. The pageant was called “Salute to the Southland” and depicted the early history of Shreveport. In 1950, the theme of the festival changed to celebrate the signing of the Louisiana Purchase, which occurred April 30, 1803. Today the festival celebrates the arrival of Spring and the Louisiana Purchase.

As the festival grew, a new financial base was established through the formation of the Ambassadors Club in 1962, under the then-president of Holiday In Dixie, the late James M. “Bubba” Jones. The late Walter B. Jacobs, Jr. served as the Ambassadors’ first Chairman. Honored guests of the Ambassadors Club include notable people such as William Simon, John Connally, Bob Strauss and President Gerald Ford in 1976.

Today the festival organization includes the Ambassadors Club Board of Directors headed by Chairman, Mr. Rick Osburne, Vice Chairman, Mr. William Hall, and approximately twenty Directors. The Board’s main function is to finance and administer the festival.

The direction and supervision of the different events of Holiday In Dixie are designated to an executive committee consisting of the Holiday In Dixie President, Mr. Jim Barlow, eleven Vice Presidents and Acting Executive Director, Lara Yerger.

Holiday In Dixie is a collage of many different events to meet many different interests. There are grand balls such as Cotillion, Plantation Ball and Military Ball. A Classic Parade provides both the opportunity to observe the formal bands and floats while catching throws. The renowned Barksdale Air Force Base Air Show attracts more than 100,000 people who take advantage of touring the base on the two days it is open to the public. Visitors can inspect Air Force aircraft up close while observing the aerobatics of the Blue Angels or the Blue Angels, the Thunderbirds and/or the Snowbirds. Sports events are plentiful with martial arts, sail boating, softball, soccer, rugby and golf tournaments. Boys’ and girls’ soccer attracts more than 4,500 visitors from eight states to participate. Several events are designed for the senior community: Senior pool tournaments, sewing, arts & crafts, ceramic and art shows. Other activities during the ten day festival are the Southern University Festival of the Arts, a carnival, the Fun Fly (Radio Controlled Model Airplanes) and museum exhibits. Our ever popular AmSouth Bank Treasure Hunt taxes minds while taking thousands on a hunt throughout the Ark-La-Tex. Designated one of the American Bus Association’s 1999 Top 100 Events in North America, Holiday In Dixie strives to celebrate life, expand interests and improve the quality of life for our community and its citizens.

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