BOSSIER CITY, La. — The Shreveport-Bossier Military Affairs Council will host the 29th annual Celebrate Barksdale Family Cookout & Festival on Friday, Oct. 9, launching a year of activities connecting Barksdale Air Force Base personnel and their families with the surrounding community.
The festival will run from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. behind the Hunt Housing Office on base. Approximately 100 civilian and retired military volunteers will prepare and serve hamburgers and hot dogs to more than 3,000 base personnel. Activities will include live music, bounce houses, face painting and vendors.
Proceeds will support Operation Bright Holiday, a Military Affairs Council program that partners with Barksdale’s Company Grade Officers to raise money to send young, first-term airmen home for the holidays.
Celebrate Barksdale has expanded from a single day of on-base events into a calendar of activities supported by businesses, attractions and community organizations throughout Shreveport-Bossier.
“The festivals and the community events in collaboration with the MAC serve as a bridge that connects our sister communities and honors the selfless dedication of our airmen and their families,” said Robert Tibi, the council’s executive director.
“I want to thank the more than 100 volunteers and community partners who work together for this effort to become a reality,” Tibi said.
Additional Celebrate Barksdale activities announced by the council include:
- Red River Revel: Free admission for active military, reservists and their immediate families during the festival Oct. 8–11 and Oct. 15–18.
- Sci-Port Discovery Center: Free admission Nov. 14 for active military, reservists and their immediate families, including access to activities and the IMAX documentary “America the Beautiful.”
- State Fair of Louisiana: Free admission for Barksdale personnel and their families Nov. 15, along with an honor ceremony and veterans parade. The fair runs Oct. 29 through Nov. 15 at the Louisiana State Fairgrounds.
- Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl: A Dec. 22 tailgate at the Louisiana State Fairgrounds featuring free catered food and drinks. The tailgate opens at 4 p.m., ahead of the scheduled 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
Celebrate Barksdale began in 1996 under Military Affairs Council Mission Committee Chair Hoyt Bain as an effort to strengthen relationships between the base and the Shreveport-Bossier community.
The civilian organization works with area chambers of commerce and community partners to support Barksdale personnel throughout the year through appreciation events, scholarship programs and activities associated with the Barksdale Air Show.
For more information or membership inquiries, contact Tibi at [email protected].