Written By Lola Magazine with The Festie Besties
Photography by Paige Melton
The Mardi Gras season is upon us, and The Festie Besties are once again gearing up for their annual King Cake Crawl—a delightful tasting event that promises to be even sweeter in its second season. On Saturday, January 31, participants will embark on an unforgettable journey, savoring the best King Cake offerings in Shreveport and Bossier City while bringing together food lovers, friends, and festive spirits alike.
Who Are the Festie Besties? And Why a King Cake Crawl?
We’re glad you asked! Best friends Emerie Eck Holtzclaw and Jana Freeman Forrest founded The Festie Besties out of a desire to curate fun and engaging events for their community. After a year of planning and brainstorming, the King Cake Crawl was born. The event features all things Mardi Gras—local bakeries, festive flair, and plenty of fun. And who doesn’t love King Cake?
Within hours of launching the inaugural event, every ticket sold out, creating immediate demand for a second round. As you can imagine, it sold out just as quickly—thrilling and exciting Emerie and Jana. The duo and their krewe were ready to roll!
The King Cake Crawl brought together enthusiastic crowds eager to indulge in the rich tradition of the sweet and sometimes savory confection. The crawl began at Andress Artist & Entrepreneur Center, The Festie Besties’ headquarters, where guests enjoyed King Cake coffee and cookies from Rhino Coffee, a Sandy + Rizzo glitter bar, and fun photo ops. Participants then boarded a guided trolley tour, sampling a variety of delectable King Cakes from local bakeries.
And if you thought the trolley was simply a means of transportation, you don’t know these queens. Between stops, participants competed for Mardi Gras goodies during Trolley Trivia and enjoyed a festive atmosphere filled with laughter and camaraderie. After hours of sampling food, sipping drinks, and reveling in Mardi Gras culture, guests’ hearts—and bellies—were full.
“The inaugural event was a resounding success! We’re excited to bring it back- bigger and better for year two.” – Jana Freeman Forrest
This year’s crawl promises an enhanced experience, building on the foundation set in year one.
“This year’s attendees will visit a stellar lineup of participating bakeries and businesses with tasty treats, lively conversations, and a celebration of local culture that reflects the spirit of Mardi Gras!” —Emerie Eck Holtzclaw
Pro Tips
If you scored tickets to this coveted crawl, we recommend dressing up for photo ops along the way. Don’t forget your wallet to snag premium Mardi Gras gifts—and maybe a King Cake for the road. And finally, pace yourselves! The King Cake Crawl is a marathon, not a sprint—and always a good time.
If you aren’t able to attend the 2026 King Cake Crawl, be sure to follow the Festie Besties for announcements. Connect with the Festie Besties and be the first to know about upcoming events!
2nd Annual
King Cake Crawl
Saturday, January 31, 2026
Round 1: 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.
Round 2: 12:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
Tickets: $65.00
Includes trolley ride, samples at each location, and souvenirs
(START HERE)
Flying Heart Brewing & Pub
700 Barksdale Blvd. Bossier City
King Cake Stromboli
King Cake Cold Brew Coffee
King Cake Martini
Sandy + Rizzo Glitter Station
All special menu items are exclusively available during the Mardi Gras season.
Lilah’s Bakery
Shreveport
King Cake Charcuterie
King Cake Flight (to take home)
Unique retail items for sale
Lowder Baking Company
Shreveport
Berry Chantilly King Cake
Lowder merch and local gifts
(NEW) Dripp Donuts
Shreveport
Signature King Cake
Krewe of Gemini Den & Mardi Gras Museum
Bossier City
Fat Tuesday Sandwich Shop and Bakery’s King Cake
Noble Savage’s King Cake Daiquiris
Tubbs Hardware and Cajun Gifts
Bossier City
Extreme King Cakes
Retail experience