Special to BIZ. Magazine
Vendors from Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas and Florida will be showcasing their vintage treasures at the second annual Shreveport Scottish Rite Antique and Vintage Bazaar, Friday-Sunday, November20-22. The 103-year old Scottish Rite Cathedral debuted the bazaar in 2019 and it was a hit! This year, more than 20 vendors will be set up with a variety of antique and vintage wares, from clothing and jewelry to furnishings, signage, dishes, and historical treasures specific to the Shreveport region. Several of the vendors coming are ‘pickers’ who search barns, flea markets and basements for amazing one of a kind items. These items will be available to the public Nov. 20-22.
As fun as the shopping is, even more exciting is the opportunity to take one of the tours offered of the amazing 103-year-old Scottish Rite Cathedral. The Cathedral, which opened in 1917, was designed by famous Shreveport architect Edward Neild and features beauty at every turn, from the grand marble staircase in the lobby to the hand-carved wooden panels in the dining room to the ornate moldings and motifs that adorn almost every square inch of the building. Visitors to the bazaar will have the chance to peek into spaces not normally open to the public such as the 500-seat auditorium with 92 hand-painted century-old backdrops, a huge Pilcher and Sons pipe organ and ornate wall murals. That is just the beginning of what you will see.
But first, we shop! The bazaar offers three opportunities to do just that. The Friday Night VIP First Look gives shoppers first dibs on great merchandise in a more intimate setting complete with wine and hors d’oeuvres. This event runs from 5-8 pm and also features guided tours of the building by members of the Scottish Rite. Tickets are $25 at the door the night of the event, $20 if purchased in advance. On Saturday from 9 am-5 pm and Sunday 11am-5 pm, shoppers can pay $5 admittance to shop. There will be several scheduled tours of the building both days. Tickets can be purchased in advance for all three shopping experiences on the Scottish Rite Antique and Vintage Bazaar Facebook page.
ALL money from tickets to the event and other donations will go into the maintenance fund for the Scottish Rite Cathedral. The Masons who own the building hope to raise $25,000 for a much needed electrical improvement. Last year’s bazaar was so successful that the Masons were able to make several important plumbing repairs to the Cathedral. For more than a century, the Masons have taken their role as caretakers of the building very seriously. The structure is a treasure to downtown and the region. Not only is it on the National Register of Historic Buildings, it is the only historic building downtown still owned by the same organization that built it more than a century ago! Then, as now, the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry Mission Statement has remained the same. Human progress is our cause, liberty of thought our supreme wish, freedom of conscience our mission, and the guarantee of equal rights to all people everywhere our ultimate goal.
Food will be available both days from food trucks parked just outside. On Saturday, the Hot Dawg Hut will offer their famous hot dogs, burgers and other options and on Sunday, Ono’s Hawaiian will offer a variety of plate lunches and Hawaiian food.
Come enjoy a day of shopping and history downtown!