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.

11/28/23 UPDATE: Due to the forecasted inclement weather for this weekend, the city has rescheduled several of the events. The Bayou Jam Christmas Spectacular with Vince Vance and the Valiants has been rescheduled for Friday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. in Heritage Park and the Olde Towne Slidell Community Golf Cart Christmas Parade will now roll on Sunday, Dec. 3 at 5 p.m. The press release below has been updated.

The City of Slidell is thrilled to announce upcoming holiday events that will enchant residents and visitors alike, marking the beginning of the festive season on December 3. From the Bayou Jam Christmas Spectacular featuring Vince Vance and the Valiants to Christmas Under the Stars and the Olde Towne Slidell Community Christmas Golf Cart Parade, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Bayou Jam Christmas Spectacular with Vince Vance and the Valiants
Kicking off the celebrations on Friday, December 8, at Heritage Park, the Bayou Jam Christmas Spectacular will feature the return of Vince Vance and the Valiants at 6 p.m. The King of Christmas will be performing all your favorite holiday songs, including his perennial hit, “All I Want for Christmas is You.” Attendees are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite holiday costumes and join in the festive spirit. Admission is free.

Christmas Under the Stars
For a magical experience, Griffith Park transforms into a winter wonderland during Christmas Under the Stars. The park will be adorned with holiday lights and decorations, including life-size Christmas villages created by artist Lori Anselmo. The addition of  the new “Nightmare Before Christmas” and Disney-inspired cottages adds an extra touch of enchantment. Santa and Mrs. Claus will make a special appearance in the park on Saturday, December 9, from 6 to 8 p.m., providing an opportunity for kids to visit and take photos in the gazebo. Admission is free.

Olde Towne Slidell Community Christmas Golf Cart Parade
On Sunday, December 3, the fourth annual Olde Towne Slidell Community Christmas Golf Cart Parade will roll through the historic Olde Towne, commencing at 5 p.m. Led by the Slidell Sync Lawn Chair Brigade, the parade will feature creatively decorated golf carts, with Santa and Mrs. Claus riding on an antique fire truck, spreading magical cheer throughout the community. The parade route can be found on the city’s website at MySlidell.com and the “City of Slidell” Facebook page.

All of these exciting events are made possible by the City of Slidell’s Commission on the Arts and the generous support of the 2023 Cultural Season Sponsors. The city’s departments of Cultural & Public Affairs, Parks & Recreation, Public Operations, Keep Slidell Beautiful, and the Slidell Police Department are working together to ensure the success of these celebrations.

For more information, please contact the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375 or visit the city website and Facebook page.

11/28/23 UPDATE:  Due to the forecasted inclement weather for this weekend, the Bayou Jam Christmas Spectacular with Vince Vance and the Valiants has been rescheduled for Friday, Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. in Heritage Park. The press release below has been updated.

The City of Slidell is delighted to kick-off in the holiday season with the return of the King of Christmas, Vince Vance and the Valiants, to Heritage Park on Friday, Dec. 8, for the Bayou Jam Christmas Spectacular. The festivities will kick off at 6 p.m., and admission is free.

“The Bayou Jam Christmas Spectacular is a beloved tradition in our community, and Vince Vance and the Valiants are the perfect choice to kick off the holiday season in Slidell,”said Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer.

Celebrating their 50th anniversary, Vince Vance and the Valiants are a versatile country, pop, and rock ‘n’ roll group hailing from New Orleans. The iconic single “All I Want for Christmas Is You” has charted on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts six times. In 2005, Country Music Television proclaimed it the No. 6 Merriest Video of All Time.

Known for their electrifying performances, Vince Vance and the Valiants deliver entertainment with costume changes, comic skits, and a vaudeville flair that makes Vance’s shows unique and highly memorable. Vance is also widely recognized for his single “I am New Orleans,” composed in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, and he was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame in 2010.

Concert-goers are encouraged to bring their chairs, blankets, ice chests, picnic baskets, sweaters, and jackets to Heritage Park to enjoy the free concerts. Concessions will be available for added convenience.

For more information about this event, please contact the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375. Stay updated on City of Slidell news and events by visiting MySlidell.com and signing up for e-news updates. Follow the “City of Slidell” Facebook page for the latest updates.

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.

Come be a part of the audience on Thursday, Nov. 30, when WGNO ABC 26 broadcasts live from Christmas Under the Stars in Griffith Park for the 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. news!


The Olde Towne Christmas Market returns this weekend, and with it comes the temporary closure of several streets in Olde Towne Slidell. Starting on Friday, Nov. 4 at 10 p.m. sections of First Street (from Erlanger Ave. to Front St.) and Erlanger Ave. (from Front St. to First St.) will be closed for the event.

The Olde Towne Christmas Market will be open on Nov. 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and will feature music, food vendors, kids gamesarts, crafts, collectibles, antiques, jewelry and other unique gifts. This event is produced by the Slidell Historic Antique Association. For more information, please visit their website at SlidellAntiques.com.

Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer and the members of the Slidell City Council would like to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving!

In observation of the Thanksgiving holiday, city offices will be closed on Thursday, Nov. 23 and Friday, Nov. 24, and will reopen during regular hours on Monday, Nov. 27, 2023.

Essential personnel will remain on duty. If Slidell residents experience problems with their water or sewer service, they should call the City Services 24-hour emergency hotline at (985) 643-6140.

When voters in the City of Slidell go to the polls on November 18 (or early voting starting Nov. 3), they will be asked to vote on several proposed charter amendments requested by the Slidell City Council.

Mayoral Residency: COS Prop. 1 of 7

PROPOSAL: Shall Article III, Section 3-03.A. of the Home Rule Charter of the City of Slidell, Louisiana, be amended to read:  “The mayor shall be at least twenty-five (25) years of age, a qualified elector of the municipality and shall have been legally domiciled and shall have actually resided within the City for at least two (2) years immediately preceding the time established by law for qualifying for office.”, thereby changing the City residency requirement for the mayor from one year to two years, immediately prior to qualifying?

  • A YES vote would adopt the above proposal.
  • A NO vote would maintain the current mayoral domicile/residency requirement, which is 1 year immediately prior to qualifying.

City Council Residency: COS Prop. 2 of 7

PROPOSAL: Shall the first sentence of Article II, Section 2-01.D. of the Home Rule Charter of the City of Slidell, Louisiana, be amended to read:  “A council member shall have been legally domiciled and shall have actually resided within the City for at least two (2) years and, where applicable, within the district from which elected, for at least one (1) year, immediately preceding the time established by law for qualifying for office.”, thereby changing the City residency requirement for council members from one year to two years and, where applicable, the district residency requirement for council members from six months to one year, each immediately prior to qualifying?

  • A YES vote would adopt the above proposal.
  • A NO vote would maintain the current city council domicile/residency requirements, which are 1 year immediately prior to qualifying, and, where applicable, 6 months immediately prior to qualifying within the specific district for which the council seat is sought.

Council Appointees: COS Prop. 3 of 7

PROPOSAL: Shall Article II, Section 2-03.C.1. of the Home Rule Charter of the City of Slidell, Louisiana, be amended to read: “A vacancy on the Council shall be filled by appointment within fifteen (15) days after the vacancy occurs by a person meeting the qualifications for that office by the favorable vote of a majority of the remaining members of the Council. The appointee shall not have the right to seek any council office seat, whether district or at-large, at the next regular election held for the purpose of filling council offices.”, thereby restricting a person appointed to fill a vacancy in a council office seat from running for any council office seat, and not just the one he/she filled, at the next regular election for council?

  • A YES vote would adopt the above proposal.
  • A NO vote would maintain the current restriction wording regarding council appointees, which restricts such any such appointee, at the next regular election, from seeking the council office in which he/she served.

Council Administrator: COS Prop. 4 of 7

PROPOSAL: Shall Article II, Section 2-08. of the Home Rule Charter of the City of Slidell, Louisiana, be amended to read: “The council shall appoint a council administrator who shall serve in this capacity at the pleasure of the council. The council administrator shall give notice of council meetings to its members and the public, keep the journal of its proceedings, be official secretary of the council and perform such other duties as are assigned to the position by this charter or by the council. No officer or employee in the executive branch may serve as council administrator.”, thereby removing any option for an officer or employee in the City’s executive branch to serve as council administrator?

  • A YES vote would adopt the above proposal.
  • A NO vote would maintain the city council’s right to choose an executive branch employee to serve as council administrator.

Ordinance Lay Over: COS Prop. 5 of 7

PROPOSAL: Shall Article II, Section 2-11.B. of the Home Rule Charter of the City of Slidell, Louisiana, be amended to read: “All proposed ordinances shall be read by title and published in full or by title after introduction. Except as otherwise provided in this charter, no ordinance shall be considered for final passage until it has laid over at least seven (7) days from its publication and unless a public hearing has been held on the ordinance.”, thereby clarifying that reading and publishing of ordinances, as stated, is required after their introduction, and changing the time an ordinance must lay over from 14 days after publication to 7 days after publication, subject to any exceptions in the Charter?

  • A YES vote would adopt the above proposal.
  • A NO vote would maintain the current general language regarding proposed ordinance publication, reading, and lay over, including the minimum 14 day lay over period from publication.

Emergency Ordinances: COS Prop. 6 of 7

PROPOSAL: Shall Article II, Section 2-13.C. of the Home Rule Charter of the City of Slidell, Louisiana, be amended to read: “Emergency ordinances shall be effective for no longer than ninety (90) days. The council, however, upon a favorable vote of at least a majority of the authorized membership may extend the life of an emergency ordinance for an additional ninety (90) days, but no such ordinance may be extended beyond that period.”, thereby changing the maximum effective period for an emergency ordinance from 30 to 90 days and the maximum extension of such an emergency ordinance from an additional 30 days to an additional 90 days?

  • A YES vote would adopt the above proposal.
  • A NO vote would maintain the current emergency ordinance effective period limitations of 30 days, with one 30 day extension.

Chief of Police Vacancy: COS Prop. 7 of 7

PROPOSAL: Shall Article IV, Section 4-05.H.4. be added to the Home Rule Charter of the City of Slidell, Louisiana, to read:  “4. In the event the chief of police, prior to his or her vacancy of the office, did not designate, in a signed writing on file with the city council office, an assistant chief of police duly qualified to serve as acting chief of police for the limited period set forth above, or if said designee is unwilling or unable to serve as acting chief of police, the mayor shall appoint, subject to confirmation by a majority vote of the council’s authorized membership, a duly qualified acting chief of police to serve for the limited period set forth above. The person designated, or appointed and confirmed, as the case may be, to serve as acting chief of police for such limited time period shall be considered duly qualified if he or she is a qualified elector of St. Tammany Parish who has been legally domiciled, and actually residing, in Wards 8 or 9 for at least one (1) year prior to the vacancy and remains so domiciled and residing during his or her vacancy term.”?

  • A YES vote would adopt the above proposal.
  • A NO vote would maintain the current Charter silence on the process to fill a vacancy in the office of chief of police if there is no designated assistant chief of police.

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.

Starting Wednesday, November 1, a section of Carey Street will closed to traffic going northbound from Old Spanish Trail to Guzman Street for roadway construction. The southbound lane will remain open.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the construction should be completed by Wednesday, Nov. 22.