It's carnival season in Louisiana, and the revelry has reached all the way to Providence House. On Monday, Feb. 11, the children of the Providence House Child Development Center are throwing their third annual Mardi Gras Parade, "Cirque de Soliel."

Thousands of pets and their owners, dressed in their Mardi Gras finest, are expected to converge on Shreveport’s downtown riverfront for the annual Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Pet Parade on Sunday, Feb. 3 at RiverView Park, 601 Clyde Fant Parkway.

Activities begin at 1:30 p.m. and the parade starts at 3 p.m. This year’s theme is “Stars, Guitars & Animals from Mars.” Prizes will be awarded for Best Float, Pet/Owner Look-A-Like and Best Dressed contests, with judging from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. The royal court of pets will be presented at 2:30 p.m.

The city of Shreveport has begun its 4th Leadership Academy, a program that allows employees to learn how to handle bigger roles and more responsibilities when an opportunity arises. The academy runs for six-months.