In preparation for White Linen and Lagniappe on Saturday, August 12, 2023, the City of Slidell is announcing that several streets in Olde Towne Slidell will be closed to traffic for this event.
On August 12, some Olde Towne streets will begin closing 6 a.m. Streets affected include areas of First Street, Erlanger Avenue, Second Street, Carey Street and Robert Street. Access to the U.S. Post Office in Olde Towne will not be obstructed.
From 6 a.m. to 1 p.m., there will be limited access to Olde Towne via First Street, Bouscaren Street and Cousin Street for the Camellia City Farmers Market and for Olde Towne businesses.
At 1 p.m. all street will be closed so that artists, businesses and bands can start setting up for White Linen and Lagniappe.
Citizens should not park within the White Linen and Lagniappe street closure area on Saturday, August 12 from 1 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 the bollards are removed at 10 p.m.
Many Olde Towne business will be open for business on Saturday, August 12, but citizens should be prepared to park and walk to get to their favorite business.
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 White Linen and Lagniappe, plus live entertainment, hot food and cold drinks, antique and boutique shopping, and lots of lagniappe.
For more information about White Linen and Lagniappe, please visit the city’s website at MySlidell.com or call the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at (985) 646-4375.
https://myslidell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/IMG_7683-scaled.jpg19562560Alex Carolllohttp://myslidell.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/City-Seal-vector-graphic-CMYK-2-inch-300x300.pngAlex Carolllo2023-08-07 16:54:242023-08-07 16:55:35Street closures in Olde Towne on Saturday August 12 for White Linen and Lagniappe
Republished with permission from Slidell Magazine.
Get ready! Louisiana’s first Umbrella Alley is coming to Olde Towne Slidell!
Named Antique Umbrella Alley, the vibrant art display consists of over 80 brightly colored umbrellas suspended over First Street in the Antique District of Olde Towne. The name “Antique Umbrella Alley” was chosen to denote the specific location of Slidell’s newest tourism attraction, as well as setting it apart from other Umbrella Alley’s across the globe. The 7.5 ft wide patio umbrellas with colors of red, orange, lime green, baby blue, lavender and navy blue will hang from suspension wires crossing the street at 10 foot intervals. Lighting will also be strung across the wires, making Slidell’s newest tourism attraction an enjoyable experience day or night!
The idea for Antique Umbrella Alley was born on a trip to Cartagena, Columbia, where Sophie Mauffray-Howell snapped a pic and sent it to her parents, Laura and Slidell Councilman Bill Borchert. The dynamic art display immediately piqued their interest. Searching the internet, they found Umbrella Alleys across the globe, each with their own individual, local flair.
“We loved it. We could see it was a big draw for tourists and locals. It was a destination spot and made for great pictures. I couldn’t wait to find a way to get it done in Slidell,” Bill says.
Bill searched for a Slidell location that had the look and feel that would compliment the unique art project. Laura suggested the quaint streets of the Antique District, particularly First Street, where the narrow one-way street would lend to the ambiance of an umbrella “alley”.
“I loved the concept; but of course, funding is always the big question,” Bill noted. He showed cell phone pictures of umbrella alleys throughout the world to the shop owners in the Antique District to gauge their interest while he settled in for the long and uncertain wait for potential grant money.
“We knew we wanted it on our street as soon as we saw the photos,” Antique Association president Cindy Fisk says. The Slidell Historical Antique Association is a small, but mighty, group of businesses and individuals located in the Antique District of Olde Towne (Erlanger and First streets). The Association has two major events each year, the Fall and Spring Slidell Street Fairs. The fair is free to the public, with over 315 vendors paying booth fees for the weekend. With this revenue, in addition to dues paid by their members, the Antique Association had been actively looking for a large capital investment that would benefit the District by attracting more visitors and shoppers to the area.
The Antique Association offered to pay for the display and its construction, plus maintain the umbrellas in the future. Even with a price tag of more than $45,000, the decision was an easy one. “It’s an investment in the future and prosperity of our District and our members’ businesses,” Cindy says. “First Street will be a perfect spot for pictures. And, while people stroll down the streets, they’re more likely to stop and shop the businesses there. The increased foot traffic will be great for the businesses in the Olde Towne area, especially the Antique District. We’re grateful to the City of Slidell for making this dream a reality and our Association is proud to help bring this to Slidell.”
Mayor Greg Cromer has given his full and enthusiastic support to the project. “The addition of Antique Umbrella Alley to our historic Olde Towne area will bring even more visitors to Slidell. The umbrella display is not only a beautiful art piece, it’s an opportunity for the businesses in Olde Towne and beyond to get more customers and clients. It’s truly a win-win for everyone.”
The permanent display stretches down First Street from Erlanger Street to the triangle intersection of Front Street and Fremaux. The umbrellas will be visible day and night to the thousands of motorists traveling on Front Street and the visitors to Heritage Park, which makes the project even more appealing.
Councilwoman Leslie Denham, whose district includes Olde Towne, echoed the mayor’s sentiments. “It’s exciting to see this project coming to life. Olde Towne is the heart of Slidell and this gives people another reason to stroll, shop, dine and enjoy.”
A mural welcoming visitors to Antique Umbrella Alley is being painted by artist Matt Litchliter, creator of the Antique Umbrella Alley logo. Matt’s artwork has appeared on numerous Slidell Magazine covers and is probably most visibly seen on the iconic mural on Carey Street in Olde Towne. The mural will be placed on the side of the Lowry-Dunham, Case & Vivien Insurance building on the corner of Erlanger and First streets.
The Antique Association plans to work with the tourism centers in St. Tammany Parish, New Orleans, Mississippi and beyond to market our region’s one-of-a-kind display to attract more visitors to Slidell. A Facebook page is also being created to encourage visitors to post their pictures with the hashtag #AntiqueUmbrellaAlley. The possibilities are endless and the sky is the limit!
The official ribbon cutting of Antique Umbrella Alley is planned for Saturday, August 12, 2023. A brass band will lead a second-line (yes, with umbrellas!) down First Street to the ribbon cutting, which will kick off the annual City of Slidell celebration, White Linen & Lagniappe.
Mary Poppins and her famous umbrella, along with her fun-loving best friend, Bert, will be there, insuring a supercalifragilisticexpialidocious time for everyone!
Come join in the fun and help promote Slidell’s newest and most colorful attraction!
https://myslidell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/AUA-cover-for-Billy-N-no-logo-scaled.jpg25601991Alex Carolllohttp://myslidell.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/City-Seal-vector-graphic-CMYK-2-inch-300x300.pngAlex Carolllo2023-08-03 17:18:542023-08-09 14:27:26Slidell’s Antique Umbrella Alley “opens” on August 12 during White Linen and Lagniappe
Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer and the City of Slidell’s Department of Cultural & Public Affairs are excited to announce the lineup of events for the upcoming 2023-2024 Cultural Season.
The cultural season kicks off with the seventh annual “White Linen and Lagniappe” on Saturday, August 12, 2023. This event will provide an opportunity for residents and visitors to browse artwork while shopping at antique and boutique stores, listening to live music, eating hot food, and enjoying cold drinks all throughout Olde Towne Slidell.
The evening will start with the opening of the new Antique Umbrella Alley at the corner of First and Erlanger streets. This vibrant display consists of over 80 brightly colored umbrellas suspended over First Street in the Antique District of Olde Towne. The large umbrellas will hang from suspension wires crossing the street creating a unique and tourist attraction for Olde Towne Slidell. This project was funded by the Slidell Historic Antique Association.
“The City of Slidell is proud to present an exciting cultural season that reflects the unique spirit and creativity of our community,” said Mayor Cromer. “We invite everyone to join us in Olde Towne for White Linen and Lagniappe to celebrate the new umbrella alley and all the arts, music, and culture of our beautiful city.”
As a city known for its rich cultural heritage and vibrant arts scene, Slidell is committed to nurturing and promoting the arts in all its forms. From art exhibitions and live performances to art festivals and community events, the upcoming cultural season will showcase local talent, attract regional artists, and engage residents and visitors alike in a dynamic array of cultural experiences.
Other highlights of the season include art exhibits in the George Dunbar Gallery at the Slidell Cultural Center at City Hall, the 20th anniversary of the Bayou Jam Concert Series with concerts held each fall and spring, Arts Evening Cultural Festival, Slidell Movie Nights, Some Enchanted Evening with the Northshore Community Orchestra, plus numerous holiday events including Christmas Under the Stars, the Olde Towne Community Golf Cart Parade, and the Holiday Concert with the Northshore Community Orchestra.
“We encourage all of our citizens to celebrate the arts in Slidell, as these events are all about family, friends, and neighbors coming together as a community,” said Alex Carollo, Director of the Department of Cultural & Public Affairs. “I would like to thank the Slidell Commission on the Arts, Mayor Cromer and city administration, Chief Fandal and the Slidell Police Department, our cultural season sponsors, and our community partners, whose support makes all of these free events possible for our citizens and visitors to enjoy.”
Cultural Season Sponsorships are now available, and any businesses or individuals that are interested in sponsoring should contact Alex Carollo at 985-646-4375 or acarollo@cityofslidell.org.
For more information about upcoming events, visit the City of Slidell’s website at MySlidell.com and follow the “City of Slidell, Louisiana” on Facebook.
https://myslidell.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/white-len2.jpg802900Alex Carolllohttp://myslidell.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/City-Seal-vector-graphic-CMYK-2-inch-300x300.pngAlex Carolllo2023-07-27 16:07:372023-07-27 16:07:37Slidell’s 2023-2024 Cultural Season Kicks-off with White Linen and Lagniappe on August 12
7/27/23, 9:30 AM UPDATE: The boil water advisory has been lifted.
The City of Slidell has issued a Boil Water Advisory due to a loss of pressure while repairing a water main for the following addresses:
1097-2797 Eighth Street
1142 Public Street
2777-2787 Tenth Street
1205-2655 Ash Street
2650-3158 Terrace Avenue
1402-1411 Tupelo Street
1349-1420 Maple Street
All affected areas have been notified by the City of Slidell. The Boil Water Advisory will be in effect until the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals analyzes all the water samples. It usually takes several days. Everyone will be notified once the advisory has been lifted.
https://myslidell.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/boil-water.jpg338600Alex Carolllohttp://myslidell.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/City-Seal-vector-graphic-CMYK-2-inch-300x300.pngAlex Carolllo2023-07-25 20:07:082023-07-27 10:54:21UPDATE: Boil Water Advisory lifted for Lincoln Park area
Under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 (42 USC 5165), a mitigation plan is required for the City of Slidell to qualify for Federal mitigation funds. On September 8, 2020, the City of Slidell adopted the 2020 St. Tammany Parish Multi-Jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan, which includes mitigation actions intended to reduce the City’s risks from hazards.
The City’s 2023 Annual Update of Hazard Mitigation Plan is just one part of Slidell’s Community Rating System recertification process; this required annual update report highlights our progress in implementing the City’s mitigation actions. All of our City departments and staff have been working together to make Slidell a more resilient and safer place for our residents to live and for our businesses to thrive. This hard work has paid off with a Community Rating System score of 6 and that score has resulted in lowered flood insurance costs for property owners throughout the city.
For ongoing credit under the Community Rating System, the annual update is being presented to the Slidell City Council on Tuesday, July 25 and made available to the public in the City of Slidell Planning Department at 250 Bouscaren Street in Suite 203 or on the City of Slidell’s Hazard Mitigation web page at http://myslidell.com/planning/#tab-id-5.
For more information, please contact the Slidell Planning Department by email planningdept@cityofslidell.org, or call (985) 646-4320.
7/25/23, 10:00 AM UPDATE: The boil water advisory has been lifted.
The City of Slidell has issued a Boil Water Advisory due to a water main break for the following addresses due to a loss of pressure:
1505 – 1591 Monaco Drive
All affected areas have been notified by the City of Slidell. The Boil Water Advisory will be in effect until the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals analyzes all the water samples. It usually takes several days. Everyone will be notified once the advisory has been lifted.
For more information on what to do during a Boil Water Advisory: https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/emergency/drinking/drinking-water-advisories/boil-water-advisory.html.
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.”
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.
https://myslidell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Brayden-Jobert-day-1-scaled.jpg13402560Alex Carolllohttp://myslidell.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/City-Seal-vector-graphic-CMYK-2-inch-300x300.pngAlex Carolllo2023-06-29 14:01:512023-07-06 15:10:17Celebrate LSU Tigers Baseball and Slidell’s own Brayden Jobert on July 8
Slidell Mayor Greg Cromer and the members of the Slidell City Council would like to wish everyone a happy and safe Independence Day!
In observance of Independence Day, city offices will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, and will reopen during regular hours on Wednesday, July 5. Essential personnel will remain on duty, should an emergency arise. 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.
https://myslidell.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/american-flag.jpeg5871030Alex Carolllohttp://myslidell.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/City-Seal-vector-graphic-CMYK-2-inch-300x300.pngAlex Carolllo2023-06-29 11:49:422023-06-30 06:43:02City Offices Closed July 4 for Independence Day
In preparation for White Linen and Lagniappe on Saturday, August 12, 2023, the City of Slidell is announcing that several streets in Olde Towne Slidell will be closed to traffic for this event.
