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 Christmas events in Heritage Park, a portion of Bayou Lane (from Pennsylvania Ave. to the Heritage Park Boat Launch) that runs through Heritage Park will be closed to vehicular traffic starting on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023, to Monday, November 20, 2023.

Access to the Heritage Park Boat Launch will not be obstructed. The children’s playground area will also remain open, but parking immediately next to the playground will not be accessible. Guests should park in the shell parking lot on the corner of Bayou Lane and Pennsylvania Ave. or near the boat launch.

Calling all golf carts! Mayor Cromer is inviting you to be a part of the Olde Towne Slidell Community Christmas Golf Cart Parade. All you have to do is decorate a golf cart and you and your family and friends can be a part of the fun. This year’s parade is Saturday, Dec. 2 starting at 5 p.m. in Olde Towne. Registration is free but limited to the first 100 golf carts.  See the form below for more information.

2023 Olde Towne Slidell Community Christmas Golf Cart Parade form

 

Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer was joined by members of the Slidell City Council, Slidell Tennis Association and the public on Monday, Oct. 2, to officially open the new Henry J. Calamari Tennis Center in Slidell.

The new tennis facility now includes eight tennis courts, a small pavilion, and new walkways that allow easy access to restroom facilities and Veterans Memorial Park. The City broke ground in February of 2023 and construction was completed in September 2023. The tennis courts were designed by Kyle Associates, LLC, and built by Cobalt Construction, Inc. for a cost of $2.4 million.

“This is one of the premier tennis facilities in our area. We wanted to make sure that this was a first class facility for our community and we fortunately had some surplus money and grant opportunities to make this project a reality,” said Mayor Cromer. “These new tennis courts, along with the planned outdoor pickleball courts and skate park at John Slidell Park, shows that we listen to what the public asks for. We heard you and we delivered!”

The original tennis courts were built in the 1960s. Over the years, the old courts were repaired and resurfaced numerous times, but the crumbling concrete slabs eventually needed to be replaced. When the orginal courts opened, it cost $1 an hour to play, and players had to go to Slidell City Hall to reserve a court and purchase the ticket. Over the years, Mr. Henry Calamari and his wife Gayle organized many family fun play days, tournaments, and United States Tennis Association events on the courts. They were both instrumental in forming the Slidell Tennis Association in 1977.  Their daughter, Julie Calamari Champagne, taught junior tennis camps during the summers and has been teaching those camps for the last 29 years. She has also been the tennis coach for Pope John Paul II High School for the last 29 years, and Pope students have been practicing on the courts for 40 years.

In 1995, Mr. Calamari tragically passed in a boating accident. Former Mayor Sam Caruso and the Slidell City Council voted to rename the tennis courts in his honor. On Sept. 24, 1995, the Sidell Tennis Courts were officially named the Henry J. Calamari Memorial Tennis Center.

The tennis courts are located at 2600 Second Street in Olde Towne Slidell. The courts are open to the public from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. and admission is free.

For more information about the Slidell Tennis Association, please visit their website at SlidellTennis.com.

 

The City of Slidell is proud to welcome back the Bucktown All-Stars when they return to Heritage Park on Friday, Oct. 6, to help us celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Bayou Jam Concert Series. The concert starts at 5:30 p.m. and admission is free.
“The Bucktown All-Stars played at the very first Bayou Jam concert and we are truly honored that they are returning to help us celebrate Bayou Jam’s 20th anniversary,” said Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer. “We want to remind everyone that Bayou Jam concerts are now on Friday evenings, so come start your weekends with us in Heritage Park with some great music, food, and fun!”

The Bucktown All-Stars have been performing since 1992. They are a brass-driven New Orleans band specializing in 1960s Classic R&B and Soul, ’70s Funk and New Orleans jams.  They are a multi-year winner of Gambit Reader’s Poll, “Best Band That Doesn’t Fit Any Of These Categories” and the ten time winner of the prestigious Offbeat Magazine Best of the Beat Awards. The horn-powered All-Stars’ New Orleans shows are legendary in the Crescent City and surrounding areas. Their raspy vocals, rollicking piano, and corrupt horn section fuel an unorthodox mix of second line funk and Motown soul. For more information about the band, visit their website at bucktownallstars.com.

Bayou Jam concerts are are held on select Friday evenings in September and October. Guests are invited to bring their chairs, blankets, ice chests and picnic baskets to the park to enjoy the free concerts. Scout BSA Troop 562 and Dat Fiyah Food Truck will be onsite selling great food and drinks for a nominal charge.

The Bayou Jam Concert Series concludes on Friday, Oct. 27 with the Bayou Jam Halloween Bash with Vince Vance and the Valiants.

The Bayou Jam Concert Series is produced by the City of Slidell’s Department of Cultural & Public Affairs with the assistance the departments of Parks & Recreation and Public Operations. These Olde Towne Slidell Main Street and Louisiana Cultural District events are sponsored by the City of Slidell’s 2023/2024 Cultural Season Sponsors, including Edge of the Lake Magazine and the Lake 94.7; Plus+ Publications; The Slidell Independent; Slidell Magazine; Slidell Savings Magazine; Councilman Bill and Laura Borchert; Lori’s Art Depot; Lowry-Dunham, Case & Vivien Insurance Agency; CiCi’s Pizza; Mayor Greg Cromer; Pizza Platoon and Slidell Historic Antique Association.

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 sign up for our e-news updates, 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.

Get ready for another exciting season of great concerts in Heritage Park as the City of Slidell proudly presents the 20th Annual Bayou Jam Concert Series this fall. The concert series returns on Friday, Sept. 22, with a performance by 5eaux4 starting at 5:30 p.m. Admission is free.

“Slidell is celebrating the twentieth year of Bayou Jam concerts, and we are thrilled to announce that the concert series will move to Friday nights. This change allows even more people to come enjoy free concerts in the heart of our city,” said Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer. “Bayou Jam concerts have become a beloved tradition for our citizens that unites our city through the power of music and community. I invite you to join us at Heritage Park for fantastic Friday nights filled with music, food, and fun!”

Mark your calendars for these upcoming Friday night concerts at Heritage Park:

  • 5eaux4 – Friday, September 22
  • Redline – Friday, September 29
  • Bucktown All-Stars – Friday, October 6
  • Vince Vance and the Valiants – Friday October 27

Concerts will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Guests are invited to bring their chairs, blankets, ice chests and picnic baskets to the park to enjoy the free concerts. Concessions will be sold for a nominal charge during the event.

5eaux4 is a high-energy, multi-genre four piece band seasoned in playing your favorite songs from the 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 2000s all the way to today’s hits. For ore information about the band, visit their website at 5eaux4music.com.

“This year introduces an exciting change, as concerts will now take place on Friday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.,” said Alex Carollo, Director of the City’s Department of Cultural & Public Affairs. “This change provides a perfect opportunity for our citizens and visitors to unwind and start their weekend with great music!”

The Bayou Jam Concert Series is produced by the City of Slidell’s Department of Cultural & Public Affairs with the assistance the departments of Parks & Recreation and Public Operations. These Olde Towne Slidell Main Street and Louisiana Cultural District events are sponsored by the City of Slidell’s 2023/2024 Cultural Season Sponsors, including Edge of the Lake Magazine and the Lake 94.7; Plus+ Publications; The Slidell Independent; Slidell Magazine; Slidell Savings Magazine; Councilman Bill and Laura Borchert; Lori’s Art Depot; Lowry-Dunham, Case & Vivien Insurance Agency; CiCi’s Pizza; Mayor Greg Cromer; Pizza Platoon and Slidell Historic Antique Association.

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 sign up for our e-news updates, 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.

The City of Slidell recently held their quarterly Service Awards Ceremony for employees celebrating milestone years of service to the city.

“Team Slidell is built on the strength of it’s employees, and it is an honor to work with such an extraordinary group of public servants,” said Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer. “I would like to congratulate each of these employees for their hard work and dedication to the City of Slidell and our citizens.”

Pictured from left to right:
  • Daniel Seuzeneau – 15 years
  • Kaitlin St. Pierre – 10 years
  • Deputy Chief of Staff Michael Noto
  • Chief of Staff John Welborn – 5 years
  • Sara Cranford – 10 years
  • Blaine Clancy – 15 years
  • James Moore – 25 years
  • Justin Andrews – 20 years
  • David Farve – 15 years
  • Tory Acker – 15 years
  • Tyler Oulliber – 5 years
  • Maria Collins – 5 years
  • Casey Brooks – 5 years
  • Patrick Hook – 5 years
  • Kevin Sweeney – 5 years
  • Milton Audler – 10 years
  • Chastity Howell – 5 years
  • Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal
Not in photo:
  • Danny Abraham – 5 years
  • Michael Koch – 5 years
  • Forrest Austin – 10 years
  • Conrad Vaillancourt – 10 years
  • Ronald Rudiger – 15 years
  • Jeffrey Collins – 25 years
  • Jason Reavis – 25 years
  • John Ruth – 25 years
7/22/23, 7:00AM UPDATE: the pool is now reopen. 
The Lionel J. Washington Community Pool at Possum Hollow Park is temporarily closed for maintenance. We apologize for the inconvenience and will post again when the pool reopens.

The City of Slidell is excited to announce that Saturday, July 8, 2023, will officially be Brayden Jobert Day in the City of Slidell. To commemorate this day, the city will host “Celebrating #6! Brayden Jobert and LSU Baseball Day” to honor Brayden and the Louisiana State University (LSU) 2023 Baseball National Championship team starting at 5 p.m. at the Northshore High School Gymnasium. Admission is free.

Brayden Jobert (photo courtesy of Faught Marketing)

“The City of Slidell takes great pride in recognizing local talents and their contributions to our community,” said Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer. “Brayden Jobert has been an exceptional role model for our youth, and we are honored to dedicate this day to celebrate him and his fellow teammate’s achievements.”

Brayden, a native of Slidell, has exemplified excellence and sportsmanship throughout his baseball career. Growing up in Slidell, he played baseball at Slidell Bantam Baseball Association (SBBA) and Northshore High School. After graduating from Northshore, he attended and played baseball at Delgado Community College and Nicholls State before joining LSU’s team as #6 starting right fielder. His dedication, perseverance, and talent have made him an inspiration to aspiring athletes of all ages.

As part of the celebration, Brayden will meet with fans and sign autographs. A limited amount of special edition Slidell baseball cards will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Autographs are limited to one personal item (in addition to the baseball card) per person.

Northshore High School is located at 100 Panther Drive in Slidell. Doors will open at 4 p.m. and admission is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

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

In preparation for Slidell Heritage Festival, the City of Slidell is announcing that Heritage Park, the boat launch and roads immediately outside of the park will be closed in conjunction with the event.

Heritage Park and the boat launch will close to the public at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, July 1, and will remain closed until 6 a.m. on Sunday, July 2. Both entrances to Heritage Park on Bayou Lane will be closed (from Palmettos to Pennsylvania Avenue) to traffic.

The Slidell Heritage Festival is presented by the Rotary Clubs of Slidell, the City of Slidell and The New Orleans Advocate | St. Tammany Farmer. The festivities will be held in Heritage Park on July 1 from 4:00 to 11:00 p.m. There will be great food and drinks, live entertainment by Soul Revival, Amanda Shaw and Zebra and fireworks at 9 p.m.

Admission is $15 and kids 12 and under are free. All proceeds go to local charities. For more information, please visit their website at www.slidellheritagefest.org.