Things to do on the Northshore WITH Kids this Summer!

Summertime! I would like to announce a positive change to our annual Fourth of July fireworks show “Light Up the Lake”. The fireworks show itself has in years past been heavily dependent on the weather. In previous years, the city has used a barge to bring the fireworks out into the lake. Since the music and the majority of the crowd is near the music stage, located in the central part of Lakeshore Drive, the intent is always for the barge to travel to that centrally located spot. However, in past years, there have been occasions where the water has been too rough for the barge, and the fireworks have had to stay and be popped off at the Mandeville Harbor.

As a result of this, I decided for last year’s show to move the fireworks staging area into Sunset Point. This would make the barge unnecessary and the wave action of the lake a non-factor since the fireworks were being popped off from the land instead. The unintended consequence of using Sunset Point as a staging area was that the show was hard to see for some in the central and eastern end of Lakeshore Drive. I know some were disappointed in last year’s show, and I take full responsibility. It was my decision, but I feel we had to try it to know if using Sunset Point was an option.

This year’s event will be on Monday, July 3. I am proud to announce that we have procured a “jack up barge”. The barge will jack up above the water and the vendor will finish his set up on the barge. This will allow the firework vendor to set up and shoot the fireworks out in the lake even if the lake is rough. The fireworks show will be centrally located right in front of the music stage. It will be easy for others to see, both on the west end and the east end. We are extremely excited and hope to see you at Light Up the Lake 2023!

Well darn, the secret is out. We’ve known for quite some time how wonderful the shops, boutiques and restaurants on Lee Lane, Columbia Street and throughout downtown Covington are. Now the rest of the world knows via a recent feature article in Country Living Magazine.

If that weren’t bad enough, Southern Living Magazine just announced we were selected as one of the Best 50 Small Towns in the region. Centuries of history, wonderful live music, incredible cuisine and year- round events all make our secret hard to keep.

June ushers in A Taste of Covington featuring some of south Louisiana’s best restaurants offering superb fixed-menus … all to benefit the St. Tammany Art Association and Covington Business Association: The Greyhound on June 6th, Gallagher’s Grill on June 7th, Seiler Bar on June 8th, Del Porto on June 14th and the Tavi on June 21st , The Glorietta on June 23rd, Valencia on June 27th and Marcello’s on June 28th … each doing a fete worthy of royalty.

July brings the quintessential 4th of July Americana event: Sparks in the Park. On July 1st, ease into 13 acres of sand, trees and shade wrapped by the winding Bogue Falaya River for music by the Northshore Traditional Music Society, face painting, a hot dog eating and a children’s pie eating contest. That evening, the Covington Concert Band, a 60+ orchestra of the area’s finest musicians, fills the Bogue Falaya Park with the sounds of America. For the finale, the band synchronizes their melodies with the oomph, pop and sparkle of a grand fireworks show. All for free.

Also in July, to keep one of the coolest cities in America cool, is Kokomo Stroll. This ticketed event closes down historic Columbia Street as revelers adorned in their Caribbean - Hawaiian - South Sea garb stroll the streets sampling the rum drink concoctions of local businesses. The evening is capped off with a free concert at the Covington Trailhead.

So meander into Covington for food, fun and music … but please, just don’t tell anyone else ; )