Inside Scoop

MARCH

Madisonville Garden Club Garden Show

Saturday, March 4, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.; The garden show features vendors selling plants, trees, gardening supplies and gifts, focusing on vegetation that is well established for the Southeast Louisiana climate. Come enjoy the spring weather and shop all things gardening. The event features live music by Gordon Newell, food trucks and beverage stations, and a children’s activity area. Master gardeners will be available to answer any questions. Admission is free. 403 St. Francis St., Madisonville, (985) 789-6779, facebook.com/MadisonvilleGardenClub

Independence Sicilian Heritage Festival

March 10–12; Celebrate the heritage of Sicily for the weekend! Held in the heart of downtown Independence, the festival features Sicilian cuisine, activities and live entertainment. This festival brings in crowds for a spaghetti cook-off, a meatball toss competition, spaghetti eating-contest and more! 307 E Railroad Ave., Independence, IndySicilianFest.com

Vintage Market Days

March 10–12, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; Inspired indoor open-air market featuring original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, handmade treasures, home décor, outdoor furnishings, consumable yummies, seasonal plantings and a little more. Each Vintage Market Days event is a unique opportunity for vendors to display their talents and passions in creative venues. Your ticket is good for re-entry all weekend. Admission for children under 12 is free. Cash and credit cards are accepted at the gate. Florida Parishes Arena, 1301 NW Central Ave., Amite City VintageMarketDays.com/market/ se-louisiana/index.php

Not Your Mama’s Gumbo Cook-off

Saturday, March 11, 11 a.m–2 p.m.; Purchase your hand stamp and get ready to taste some amazing gumbo by the competitors. The event features live music and a Cajun market with 20+ vendors selling sweets, jewelry, crafts, metal working, native plants and more. Beer, water and soda will be available for purchase. General admission is $10 for age 13+, free for age 12 and under. Presented by the Town of Abita Springs and Keep Abita Beautiful, money raised from gumbo sales will help pay for beautification projects, glass recycling, litter cleanups and educational programs. Abita Springs Trailhead Park, 22049 Main St., Abita Springs, (985) 892-0711, facebook.com/events/361778525321662

5th Annual Covington St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Celebration

Saturday, March 11, 12–5 p.m.; Covington celebrates St. Patrick’s Day 2023 with a parade marching through the historic downtown district and concluding with a block party at the corner of New Hampshire and Rutland Streets. Sponsored by the Covington Celtic Club, parade-goers will see bagpipers, dancers, wolfhounds, and other marching groups. The block party will have free, family fun to keep the celebration going. Downtown Covington, (985) 892-1873, CovingtonCelticClub.com

Dew Drop Jazz Hall Concerts

Saturdays March through May, 6:30–9 p.m.; Join the Friends of the Dew Drop at the historic Dew Drop Jazz Hall for a new season of Saturday evening concerts from March through May. Admission is $10 per adult and free for students and children. The evening features home-cooked food for purchase provided by the First Free Mission Baptist Church. Soft drinks, water, beer and wine will be available for purchase. Lawn chairs can be used on the grounds outside the hall. The Spring 2023 lineup features: March 11 - New Orleans Jazz Vipers, April 1 - Arco Latino - La Orquesta Moderna, April 8 - J. Monqué D Blues Revue, April 22Shannon Powell All Star Band. Dew Drop Jazz Hall, 4030 Lamarque St., Mandeville, DewDropJazzHall.com

Sunset at the Landing Concert

Friday, March 17, 6–9 p.m.; Bring family, friends and picnics to the Columbia Street Landing in Covington for Sunset at the Landing, a free concert featuring regional and touring artists performing jazz, bluegrass, folk, blues and more. These free, outdoor performances are typically held every third Friday in spring and fall overlooking scenic Bogue Falaya River. All are encouraged to bring refreshments and chairs or blankets for lawn seating. Columbia Street Landing, 100 N. Columbia St., Covington, (985) 8921873, SunsetAtTheLanding.org

Amite Oyster Festival

March 17–19, Friday: 5 p.m.–12 a.m., Saturday: 10 a.m.–11 p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Amite hosts the Oyster Festival each spring with oysters, music, competition and fun. Tap into your competitive skills with a chili cook-off and oyster eating contest! When you’re done chowing down on oysters cooked in a variety of ways, sit back and relax with local and national musical entertainment! Northeast Central Avenue, Amite City, AmiteOysterFestival.com

Chef Soirée 2023

Sunday, March 19, 5–9 p.m.; The 39th annual Chef Soirée, presented by Chevron, features tasting-size portions of delicious food and beverages from dozens of Northshore restaurants and food and beverage purveyors as well as live music on two stages. A highlight of the evening is the drawing of the winning raffle ticket for the choice of a 2023 Ford Mustang or Bronco Sport donated by Banner Ford. Raffle tickets are $25 each. Admission is $145 per person in advance or at the gate. All proceeds benefit the Youth Service Bureau’s programs of advocacy, counseling, education and intervention for at-risk youth in St. Tammany and Washington Parishes, helping them reach their full potential. 213 Park Drive, Covington, (985) 893-2570, ChefSoiree.com

Mandeville Live! Free Friday Concert

Friday, March 24 & 31, April 14 & 28, 6:30 p.m.; Guests to the Mandeville Live! concert series are welcome to bring lawn chairs or blankets, but please leave food and drinks at home; food trucks and drink concessions will be available. Admission is free, and all ages are welcome. Lineup: March 24: Four Unplugged, March 31: Little Freddie King, April 14: Chubby Carrier & The Bayou Swamp Band, April 28: NOLA Dukes. 675 Lafitte St., Mandeville, (985) 624-3147, ExperienceMandeville.org

Shamrock Sprint 5k & 1 Mile Fun Run

Saturday, March 25, 7 a.m. Kelly Kicking Cancer invites you to participate in the 8th annual signature fundraising event, the Shamrock Sprint 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run, at the Covington Trailhead. Admission is $35 for participants and $20 for a guest party pass to enjoy food, music and entertainment. KKC honors the memory of Kelly C. O’Mahoney’s life and spirit by funding research to eradicate brain cancer. 419 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, (985) 237-1798, KellyKickingCancer.org

Twilight Eggstravaganza Egg Hunt 2023

Saturday, March 25, 6–8 p.m.; Grab your flashlights and Easter baskets! The event is open to children ages 1 to 12 years, with age-specific hunts starting at 5:45, 6:00, 6:15 and 6:30 p.m. Space is limited and spots must be reserved. 63350 Pelican Drive, Mandeville, (985) 626-7997, PelicanPark. recdesk.com

Abita Springs Whole Town Garage Sale 2023

Saturday, March 25, 8 a.m.; Each March, hundreds of people in the Abita Springs area have their garage sale on the same day, and people from all over the region come to find great deals and a good time. Vendors set up around the town and at Town Hall, and residents participate with individual private sales at their homes throughout town the day. Event is rain or shine. Abita Springs, (985) 871-5327, TrailheadMuseum.org/whole-town-garage-sale/

Olde Towne Crawfish and Music Festival

Sunday, March 26, 11 a.m.; Join your friends and family in Olde Towne Slidell for the third annual Olde Towne Crawfish and Music Festival, where boiled crawfish and three stages of live music share the spotlight. Admission is free, music and crawfish both start at 11 a.m. Slidell, (985) 285-9215, facebook.com/OldeTowneSlidell

APRIL

Girls Health Day

Saturday, April 1, 9 a.m.–12:30 p.m.; Girls Health Day is a health-centered event for girls ages 8-17 and their guardians to participate in complimentary health screenings, talks and demonstrations to explore their overall health and mental well-being. Admission is $5. 95 Judge Tanner Blvd., Covington, (985) 867-3900, LakeviewRegional.com

Jazz'n the Vines Concert

Saturday, April 1, 8, & 22, 5–9 p.m.; Wild Bush Farm & Vineyard invites you to the Jazz'n the Vines concert series of Spring 2023. Tickets are $12 for age 18 and up, $5 for age 12-17, free for kids 11 and under. Take advantage of the online-only special: two tickets plus a bottle of featured wine for $28. Pontchartrain Vineyards wines are available for tasting and purchase, and local food trucks will be serving up some good eats. Picnic baskets are welcome, though no outside alcohol permitted. Lineup: April 1: Buckwheat Zydeco Jr. with Ils Sont Partis Band, April 8: Debbie Davis, & April 22: Dave Jordan & the NIA.81250 Old Military Road, Bush, (985) 892-9742, BonTempsTix.com/organizations/wildbushfarmandvineyard

Pirate Festival

April 7–9, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Pirates of the Pontchartrain is a brand-new festival produced by the Louisiana Renaissance Festival. Established in 2000, the RenFest is now one of the best-run outdoor festivals in Louisiana. Building on that success, the Pirates of the Pontchartrain will be one of the best outdoor pirate events on-shore. 46468 River Road, Hammond, http://LaPop.net

Covington Easter Extravaganza

Saturday, April 8, 10 a.m.–1 p.m.; Bring your little ones for some Easter fun to the City of Covington’s annual spring kids’ event. The event includes Easter-themed arts and crafts for kids, a petting zoo and an Easter egg hunt. The Kiwanis Club will have a youth health fair and more. Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, (985) 892-1873, CovLa.com

Rockin’ the Rails Concert

Thursdays, April 13, 20 & 27, 5:30–7:30 p.m.; Bring blankets, chairs or dancing shoes for a free, family-friendly evening around the Trailhead stage, and bring your appetite, too—Yum Yum Gimme Sum food truck will be there! Some proceeds of food or drink sales will benefit the Covington Fire Department. Free and open to the public, and is weather permitting; follow the City of Covington Facebook page for current info. Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, (985) 892-1873, CovLa.com

Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival

April 14–16; The sweetest festival in Tangipahoa Parish celebrates the state fruit! This annual festival in Ponchatoula draws crowds by the thousands. The Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival is a free, family-friendly, outdoor festival. This festival features two music stages, food booths of all kinds, carnival rides for the kids, and of course strawberries! Memorial Park, 301 N 6th St., Ponchatoula, LaStrawberryFestival.com

Spring for Art

Saturday, April 15, 6–9 p.m.; The St. Tammany Art Association and Covington businesses present Spring for Art, a free festival celebrating music, art and performing arts held in the streets of the city’s historic downtown district. Enjoy live music, art in a variety of media, a student art show, performances, dining and shopping at participating locations. The event will feature a juried art market, including jewelry, photography, paintings, woodworking, fiber art, pottery and more by local and regional artists. Downtown Covington, (985) 892-8650, StTammany.Art

Slidell Little Theatre presents “Dreamgirls”

April 21–May 7; A sweeping and inspirational journey through 20th century American pop music, “Dreamgirls” chronicles one Motown group’s rise from obscurity to superstardom. Through gospel, R&B, smooth pop, disco and more, “Dreamgirls” explores themes of ambition, hope and betrayal, all set in the glamorous and competitive world of the entertainment industry. Tickets are $28 for adults, $22 for students and seniors, with discounts for members and season pass holders. Tickets for all shows and events can be purchased online or by calling the box office. Tickets may also be available at the box office day of show. Slidell Little Theatre, 2024 Nellie Drive, Slidell, (985) 641-0324, SlidellLittleTheatre.org/tickets

Louisiana Bicycle Festival

Saturday, April 22, 9 a.m.; Celebrate Earth Day as the Louisiana Bicycle Festival returns to downtown Abita Springs for its 23rd annual event! Admission is free for participants and spectators alike, and no registration is required for paraders. This year the festival will incorporate a Choctaw theme. Costumes are encouraged but not mandatory. Prizes will be awarded for Best Wheelie, Best in Show, a kids’ race, plus vintage, electric, art bike and custom bike shows. 22275 Highway 36, Abita Springs, (985) 214-6920, BrooksBikeShop. com

Slidell’s All-You-Can-Eat Crawfish Cookoff

Saturday, April 22; It’s the Hospice Foundation of the South’s signature event! The AllYou-Can-Eat Crawfish Cookoff boasts over 40,000 pounds of crawfish and 17,500 pounds of fixings, boiled by 60+ teams who are competing for the title, “Best Crawfish in St. Tammany Parish.” Included in your admission is all the crawfish you can eat and three well-known bands entertaining the crowd of 7,000+. This year’s entertainment lineup: Christian Serpas, The Bucktown Allstars and Pine Leaf Boys. Admission: 13 and up is $35 in advance, $40 at the gate; 12 and under are admitted free. Fritchie Park, 905 W. Howze Beach Road, Slidell, (985) 6435470, TheHospiceHouse.org/events

Columbia Street Block Party

Friday, April 28, 6–9 p.m.; This free family event features classic car enthusiasts displaying their “pride and joy” over four blocks in Covington’s historic St. John District. Check out local shops and restaurants, and live and DJ music in many of the downtown entertainment venues. 200-500 blocks of Columbia Street, Covington, (985) 892-1873, CovLa.com

The Italian Festival

April 28–30, Friday: 6–11 p.m., Saturday: 8 a.m.–11p.m., Sunday: 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; The Village of Tickfaw welcomes crowds from far and wide on the last full weekend of April for Italian food, culture and music. The Italian festival hosts an Annual Spaghetti Cook-Off, live music, and carnival rides for visitors of all ages! Come taste some of your favorite Italian grandma’s home cooking! 50081 US-51, Tickfaw, TheItalianFestivalOrg.com

Northshore Arts in Bloom

April 28–30; The Northshore Arts in Bloom event is an exhibition using various mediums of artistic and cultural expression. Our mission is to create and encourage cultural enrichment for all ages through visual enjoyment, participation and learning. The event is designed to explore the arts through presentations of floral displays, paintings, playwriting and lectures. Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts, 220 E Thomas St., Hammond

Covington Antiques & Uniques Festival

April 29–30, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; The two-day, juried, free event will showcase more than 50 vendors displaying an eclectic mix of antique furnishings, period collectibles, architectural salvage, silversmithing and vintage-inspired fine arts and crafts, as well as food and live music throughout the weekend. The Covington Heritage Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to preserve the city’s culture, character and community. Covington Trailhead, 419 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, (985) 892-1873, CovingtonHeritageFoundation.com