Paddlefish Festival

Saturday, March 7

10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

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It’s official. National American Paddlefish Day is now recognized and certified as a National Day!

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To celebrate this historic proclamation, we are having our second annual festival and will be releasing the Shreveport Aquarium paddlefish back into the Caddo Waterways where they belong.

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Did you know that Paddlefish, a 300 million year old species, once common in Caddo lake, had completely disappeared from the lake after the construction of the dam at Lake O' the Pines? Through extensive habitat restoration and historic agreements with the Corps of Engineers, Caddo Lake is now prime habitat to restore the this prehistoric species, the paddlefish. 

Shreveport Aquarium, in partnership with Caddo Lake Institute is rearing and releasing this threatened species to help repopulate Caddo Lake. Come celebrate and learn all about these extraordinary creatures and how we can all help them survive during our annual Paddlefish Festival. Help us send-off the Paddlefish to their new home.

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Join us for a fun day at the aquarium with:

• Educational displays

• Guest speakers

• Crafts, facepainting & games

• Fossil station

• Live gators from Walter B Jacobs Nature Center

• Recycled art contest with prizes

• Jr. Conservationist Speeches and Contest with prizes

• Paddlefish release (off-location) 

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Thank you so much to all of our recycled art contest participants at today’s Paddlefish Festival!! We were so impressed by the range of recycled materials - icee lids, forks, coat hangers - all made into amazing art.
 

Drum roll please...
 

K-6 Winner: Sun City's Third Graders - "Louisiana MudBug"
Honorable Mention: Makenzie Longoria "Recycled Octopus"

6th-12th Winner: North DeSoto Upper Elementary - Logan, Gavin, Jonathan, and Cayden - "Recycled Jellyfish"
Honorable Mention: Landon Russell "Recycled Gator"

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