Actually the invasion began with the wave of media and camera crews swooping down on the Shreveport / Bossier City area. Many festivities and events went on during the prior two weeks proceeding the pageant with many local and state officials as well as various dignitaries in attendance as the film and media crews filmed their documentary surrounding this year's Pageant, and the scenic and diverse Shreveport / Bossier City area that is located in the north west corner of the State of Louisiana.

In addition to the many various stop-off and filming points throughout the area, the delegates visited Cedar Croft one of the many majestic southern plantations located just west of Shreveport where the delegates filmed some of their outdoor scenes including the filming of the delegates in their evening gowns. Many of the film settings were in the ever mystical and romantic setting of cypress trees, moss and bayou backdrops that the south is so well known for. The filming also included scenes in the Cross Lake area as well as a number of the region's tourist attractions, riverboats and entertainment areas. This filming was brodcast live world wide during the Miss USA Pageant on CBS Feburary 5th.

Sunday Feb. 2nd

The preliminaries were located at the Hirsch Coliseum located at the Louisiana State Fair Grounds which is located on the north side of I-20 between the Jewella and Hearne Ave. Exits in Shreveport. This event is also known as the "Presentation Show". This is where the finalists places are established for the grand finale Febuary 5th at the finals.

Wednesday Feb. 5th ~ 11am

Ah, the rush rush and final touch-ups. The Dress Rehearsal began at 11am at the Hirsch Coliseum, continuing into the afternoon.

Wednesday Feb. 5th ~ 8pm

The Finals. This is where it all happened! Televised live on CBS began at 8pm central time again at the Hirsch Coliseum, this may well be the most magestic and "oooh... ahhh" gala event in this region's history. For those who wern't savy enough to get a good seat, they didn't have to worry as CBS broadcast the event live on TV, which included a brief mini-tour of Shreveport / Bossier City area.

Wednesday Feb. 5th ~ 10:30pm

Well, if you like George Hamilton's style and grace with the many women that he has starred with in all those films and movies, you might have a chance to see him in action during this formal event. The Miss USA Pageant, presented by Trump Pageants, Limited Partnership was hosted by actor George Hamilton and Marla Maples Trump, with Ali Landry (Miss USA 1996) crowning the new Miss USA 1997 Brook Lee at the Coronation Ball. Alicia Machado (Miss Universe 1996) and Christie Woods (Miss Teen USA) were also present as formal guests of the Pageant.

The Coronation Ball began aproximately 10:30pm at the Expo Hall on the riverfront. The expo Hall can be found across the street from Harrah's Casio on Clyde Fant Parkway, located at the foot of the Texas Street bridge between Commerce Street and Clyde Fant Parkway on the west side of the Red River in Shreveport.