In preparation for the Olde Towne Merchant Association’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, several streets in the Olde Towne area will start closing at 6:00 a.m.

For public safety, any vehicle that is left parked along the parade route after 6 a.m. on Sunday, March 10, will be towed at the owner’s expense.

This includes sections of:

  • Bouscaren St.
  • First St.
  • Erlanger Ave.
  • Fremaux Ave.
  • Teddy Ave.
  • Front St.
  • Carey St.
  • Cousin St.
  • Robert St.
  • Brakefield St.
  • Guzman St.
  • Bryan St.
  • Cleveland Ave.
  • Bilten Ave.
  • Mayfield Ave.
  • Old Spanish Trail
  • Lee St.
  • College St.
  • William Tell St.
  • Ciruti St.

Please refer to the parade route map to see the affected streets.

The Slidell Police Department will begin closing down streets along the parade route to vehicular traffic at a later time. Please do not congregate in the streets until all the streets are closed.

Get ready for another exciting season of great Bayou Jam concerts in Heritage Park!  The spring concert series returns on Friday, March. 22, with a performance by Fat City Swing Orchestra starting at 6 p.m. Admission is free.

“Bayou Jam concerts have become a beloved tradition for our citizens that unites our city through the power of music and community,” said Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer. “I invite you to join us at Heritage Park for fantastic Friday nights filled with music and fun!”

Mark your calendars for these upcoming concerts at Heritage Park:

  • Fat City Swing Orchestra – Friday, March 22
  • Clifton Brown and the Rusty Bucket Band – Friday, April 5
  • Slidell’s Highschool Band and Choir Showcase – Friday, April 19
  • Some Enchanted Evening with the Northshore Community Orchestra – Saturday, April 27 (5 to 7 p.m.)

Bayou Jam concerts will be held on Fridays from 6 to 8 p.m. Guests are invited to bring their chairs, blankets, ice chests and picnic baskets to the park to enjoy the free concerts.

Fat City Swing Orchestra is comprised of some of the best jazz musicians in the New Orleans area. Jon and Wesley Mannino founded the band to keep their family’s musical legacy alive. This 16 piece big band plays all your favorite jazz and swing tunes. For ore information about the band, visit their website at FatCitySwingBand.com and view some of their past musical performances on YouTube.

For more information about this event, please call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375. For City of Slidell news and events, please visit MySlidell.com and follow us on the “City of Slidell” Facebook page.

In the event of inclement weather, please check the city’s website or Facebook page for the latest information. Cancellation decisions will be made by 1 p.m. on the day of the event.

In preparation for Arts Evening on Saturday, March 2, 2024, the City of Slidell is announcing that several streets in Olde Towne Slidell will be closed to traffic during this event.

Streets will be closed on March 2 from 2:00 to 10:00 p.m. Streets affected include areas of First Street, Erlanger Avenue, Second Street, Bouscaren Street, Cousin Street, Carey Street and Robert Street. Access to the U.S. Post Office in Olde Towne will not be obstructed.

Mayor Greg Cromer invites citizens to come view the works of over 50 artists and arts organizations that will be on display at over 30 locations throughout Olde Towne during Arts Evening, plus live entertainment from 8 different bands, antique and boutique shopping, and casual and fine dining at participating locations.

Citizens should not park within the Arts Evening street closure area on Saturday, March 2 from 2 to 10 p.m. For public safety, bollards will be placed throughout Olde Towne and any vehicles left inside the bollards will not be able to leave Olde Towne until 10 p.m. when the bollards are removed.

For more information about Arts Evening, please visit the city’s website at MySlidell.com or call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375.

Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer invites you to join the City Slidell for the 29th annual Arts Evening on Saturday, March 2, from 5 to 9 p.m. in Olde Towne Slidell.

One of the largest cultural festivals on the Northshore, Arts Evening features over 50 artists displaying their works at over 30 locations in Olde Towne Slidell. In addition to the artwork, there will be live entertainment; antique, boutique and unique shopping; fine and casual dining and surprises on every corner of Olde Towne. Admission is free.

“Arts Evening is one of Olde Towne’s biggest nights, and I invite you to bring your family and friends to Olde Towne and join us for a great night of art and entertainment in Slidell,” said Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer. “I would like to thank all of the Olde Towne restaurants and businesses who participate during this event.”

The festivities kick-off at 5 p.m. with the unveiling of the new Antique Umbrella Alley mural. The mural, created by Matt Litchliter, is located on the side of Lowry-Dungham, Case & Vivien Insurance Agency on the corner of Erlanger and First streets. The mural was funded by The Northshore – St. Tammany Parish Tourist and Convention Commission. Antique Umbrella Alley will also feature talented student artists as well as Slidell Magazine cover artists Anna Braud and other sidewalk chalk artists to promote the new Chalk the Walk fundraising event.

Artists will be displaying their works at these locations in Olde Towne:
  • Annette’s House of Decor: Arts Evening 2024 Poster Artist Lori Anselmo with art students Amelia Chen, Laura Chen, Lily Colwart
  • Antiques & Art on First: Shana Marshall
  • Bella Style Salon: Jessica Weems, Jessica Williams
  • Bistro 55: Danielle Camp, Gina Castle, Wess Foreman, Alexandria Richard
  • Borchert Law at Notting Hill: Elsa Baker, Jonathan Chadwick, Solange Ledwith
  • Camellia Well Being
  • Carolynn’s Wonderland: Grace Dunning
  • Christina’s Therapeutic Touch: Aubin Brian, Jessica Moody, Linda Moran
  • Crippin Residence: Olde Towne Slidell Main Street, and artist K. L. Smith
  • Daiquiris Gone Wild at Triangle Square: Denise Gilhousen, Gina Gillio, Wallflower Resin Co.
  • Damsel n Distress: Ernest Roberts, Dustin Young
  • Fresco Ole Towne Slidell: Joe Lopez
  • Green Oaks Apothecary: Jill Anderson, Anderson’s Woodworking, Brittany & Maleigh Ballard, Kelley Chauvin, Layla Clark, Jenny Creel, Crystal Moon Designs, Amanda Poole Douglas, Nancy Gaines, Anya Gisclair, David Guestella, Cheri Hart, Jennifer Laurent, Jessica Little, Bri Miller, Jessica Moody, Jenna Pendarvis, Mikayla Perkins, Tristen Rolling, Amber Ryan, Aeva M. Santini, Lauren Penton Taylor
  • Heidelberg’s Bar
  • Hidden Tattoo Collective
  • Hingle Boys Collectibles
  • Lowry-Dunham, Case & Vivien: Matt Litchliter
  • Magnolia House Antique Mall
  • Olde Towne Pizza: Olivia Clatterbuck
  • Pontchartrain Investment Management: John Berry, Linda Bickel, Pete Karenina Designs, Mary Rich
  • Slidell Museum: Andreè Maduell, Joy Rancatore, Kevin Walgamotte
  • Tres Co. Boutique: Elizabeth Johnson
  • The Venue: Kelly Andrew, Emily Edwards, Leiana Funck

There will be plenty of live entertainment throughout Olde Towne:

  • Audio Beach: 6 – 9 p.m. at Restaurant Coté and The Maple Room
  • Steve Authement: 5 – 9 p.m. at the Crippin Residence
  • DJ Andrew Pear: 5 – 9 p.m. at Bella Style Salon
  • Fat City Swing: 7 – 9 p.m. at Roots Plants and Coffee
  • Northshore Community Orchestra Jazz Ensemble: 5 to 8 p.m. ay Green Oaks Apothecary
  • Overboard: 5 – 7 p.m. at Lowry-Dunham, Case & Vivien Insurance Agency
  • Ozone Music Songwriters Showcase: 5 – 9 p.m. at Borchert Law at Notting Hill
  • Sara, Jim and Jeff: 5 to 7 p.m. at Pontchartrain Investment Management
  • Sweetie: 5 – 9 p.m. at Brass Monkey

Food and drinks will be available for purchase at many of Olde Towne’s finest establishments, including:

  • American Legion
  • The Arcade on Carey 
  • Bistro 55
  • Brass Monkey
  • Camellia City Pizza
  • Daiquiris Gone Wild at Triangle Square
  • Deanasco Restaurant
  • Electric Avenue
  • Fresco Olde Towne Slidell
  • Heidelbergs
  • The Maple Room
  • Old Town Soda Shop
  • Olde Towne Pizza
  • Olde Towne Tavern
  • Restaurant Cotè
  • Roots Plants and Coffee
  • Tacos and Beer
  • Whiskey and Ashe

For more information about Arts Evening, call the department of Cultural Affairs at (985) 646-4375 or visit MySlidell.com. A digital brochure with more information will be posted several days before the event.

Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer, the City of Slidell, and the members of the Slidell Commission on the Arts would like to congratulate Lori Anselmo for being selected as the Arts Evening 2024 Poster Artist. Her art work, “Slidell Sunflowers” will be featured on the Arts Evening poster and publicity materials.

The 29th annual Arts Evening takes place on Saturday, March 2, 2024, from 5 to 9 p.m. in Olde Towne Slidell. One of the largest cultural festivals on the Northshore, this family-friendly event features over 50 artists displaying their works at over 30 locations in Olde Towne Slidell. In addition to the artwork, there will be live entertainment; antique, boutique and unique shopping; fine and casual dining and surprises on every corner of Olde Towne. Admission is free.

Anselmo is a self-taught artist who began her art business in 2002. Her work has been featured in numerous art exhibitions in the region, including her “Freedom” exhibit celebrating our military and her twentieth anniversary retrospective exhibit, both in the George Dunbar Gallery in the Slidell Cultural Center at City Hall. In 2018, she opened Lori’s Art Depot and Creative Center for the Arts in the historic Slidell Train Depot, where she teaches art classes, hosts art parties and sells her art.

Many of her public art projects can be seen in Slidell and the New Orleans area, including seven streetcars for the popular “Streetcar Named Inspire” project benefitting the Young Leadership Council of New Orleans, six bead dogs benefitting the LASPCA “Bead Dog” project, and four pelicans for Leadership Northshore’s “Pelican’s on Parade” project to raise money for Rainbow Childcare. She has also created several murals for the City of Slidell, including a Mardi Gras mural and a mural celebrating our healthcare workers for their sacrifices during the pandemic.

In 2016, she painted poppies on her fence and shared a picture on her Facebook page. Within weeks, photos of her fence went viral and were shared on social media millions of times! She received requests from all around the world to come paint fences. This lead to her creating fence panel art work, featuring Anelmo’s original works of art printed on panels, that can create murals on any fence around the world.

She is the recipient of the City of Slidell’s 2019 BRAVO! Arts Award which recognized Anselmo for her artisitc contributions to the City of Slidell. She gives her time and talent to many charitable organizations, raising almost $300,000 since 2009 for local non-profits and organizations.

Anselmo will be selling signed copies of the event poster during Arts Evening. For more information about Anselmo and Lori’s Art Depot, visit her website at LoriAnselmoArt.com and visit her pages on social media.

For more information about Arts Evening, please call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375. For the latest information about City of Slidell news and events, visit MySlidell.com or follow the “City of Slidell, Louisiana” on Facebook.

 

Dear Citizens,

As we enter Mardi Gras season, I would like to invite you and your family and friends to come experience Mardi Gras in Slidell. Grab your lawn chairs, ice chests and king cakes and head on out to the parade route to enjoy all the parades rolling through Slidell:

  • Friday, Jan. 26, 6:30 p.m. – Krewe of Titans
  • Saturday, Jan. 27, 12 p.m. – Krewe of Bilge
  • Saturday, Jan. 27, 6 p.m. – Krewe of Poseidon
  • Sunday, Jan. 28, 1 p.m. – Krewe of Antheia
  • Friday, Feb. 2, 7 p.m. – Krewe of Mona Lisa and MoonPie
  • Saturday, Feb. 3, 10 a.m. – Krewe De Paws
  • Sunday, Feb. 4, 1 p.m. – Krewe of Dionysus
  • Friday, Feb. 9, 6:30 p.m. – Krewe of Selene
  • Tuesday, Feb 13, 10 a.m. – Krewe of Kidz

I am proud that many families choose to celebrate Mardi Gras here in Slidell. It’s great to see so many smiling faces along the parade route. I ask that everyone be respectful and help us maintain the fun, family-friendly environment that people enjoy in Slidell.

Come enjoy the best that Slidell has to offer during Mardi Gras season.

Laissez les bons temps rouler!

Mayor Greg Cromer

Join Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer for a Holiday Concert with the Northshore Community Orchestra on Thursday, Dec. 21 at 7 p.m. in the Slidell Municipal Auditorium.

The Northshore Community Orchestra is the only symphony orchestra in St. Tammany Parish where both youths and adults can make learning and performing music a lifelong endeavor. The orchestra was established in 1987, and has operated continuously ever since. The orchestra performs several full orchestra concerts as well as some smaller group ensembles throughout the year, with genres including classical, jazz, pop, folk, ethnic, traditional, movie themes, and broadway hits. Each year, the orchestra typically performs for Slidell’s Some Enchanted Evening and Christmas concerts.

The members of the orchestra come from Slidell, St. Tammany Parish and from surrounding parishes in the Greater New Orleans area and south Mississippi. The members represent a diverse assortment of backgrounds such as students, medical professionals, engineers, skilled tradesmen, scientists, homemakers, members of the military, educators, and retirees. Though our student members typically begin with us around late middle school or junior high age, currently our youngest member is just 9 years old, and our oldest is in his 80s. Some of the orchestra’s musicians are family members who play together – spouses, parents, children, and siblings.

The orchestra’s conductor since 2006 has been Mrs. Susan Messina, a Slidell native who has a master’s degree in music from Southeastern Louisiana University, and over 30 years experience as a music educator. She has served as a band director at several area schools, and currently teaches private lessons on a wide variety of instruments at Christy Music in Slidell.

The Slidell Municipal Auditorium is located at 2056 Second Street in Olde Towne Slidell. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission is free.

For more information about this event, please call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375. For the latest information about City of Slidell news and events, visit MySlidell.com or follow the “City of Slidell, Louisiana” on Facebook.

Slidell’s Bayou Christmas celebrates its tenth year at Heritage Park with festive list of holiday events Dec. 16-17 and 22-23.

This annual holiday event, sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club of Slidell and the City of Slidell, features live entertainment, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, an ice skating rink, kiddie rides, food and craft vendors, narrated Nativity scene created by artist Lori Anselmo, plus other special holiday surprises. Admission is free, but donations to the Boys and Girls Club are welcomed.

Slidell’s Bayou Christmas will also be hosting Slidell Movie Nights on Saturday, Dec. 16 and 23, starting at 7 p.m. Admission is free.

  • Dec. 16 – The Nightmare Before Christmas
  • Dec. 23 – The Grinch

Santa and Mrs. Claus will be available to take free pictures 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Dec. 16-17 and 22-23.

 

Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer is inviting the public to join him for the 12th annual Mayor’s Community Prayer Breakfast, presented by Community Christian Concern, on Friday, January 26, 2024, at 7:30 a.m. in the Slidell Municipal Auditorium. You can purchase tickets online via EventBrite.

Mayor Greg Cromer is inviting the community to join the City of Slidell for the fourth annual Olde Towne Slidell Community Christmas Golf Cart Parade on Sunday, December 3 at 5 p.m.

The parade will be led by the Slidell Sync Lawn Chair Brigade, a premier dancing group that promises to feature flashy holiday-themed lawn chairs in a very merry way, followed by decorated golf carts and Santa and Mrs. Claus riding on an antique fire truck spreading their magical cheer to all.

Everyone from the community is encouraged to participate. To sign up to participate, go to the City of Slidell’s website at MySlidell.com to fill out the parade form and return to the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs. Deadline for submitting forms is Thuesday, Nov. 30.Registration is free and interested spectators are encouraged to mark their calendars. Deadline for submitting forms is Thuesday, Nov. 30.

In preparation for the parade, streets in Olde Towne Slidell will start closing at 2:30 p.m. (See the map to see which streets will be closed.) Once bollards are in place, any vehicle that is inside the perimeter of the safety zone will not be able to exit Olde Towne until after 8 p.m., when the parade ends and bollards are removed. “Special Event No Parking” signs will be placed throughout Olde Towne. Once the bollards are in place, no vehicles will be able to enter or leave the safety zone in Olde Towne, so please don’t park or leave your vehicles in Olde Towne after 3 p.m.

For more information, please call the City of Slidell’s Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375 or email acarollo@cityofslidell.org.