Inside Scoop

26th Annual Slidell Heritage Festival

Saturday, July 1, 4–9 p.m.

This celebration of America’s birthday features an evening of live music, great food, crafts, children’s activities and a fireworks show. Music starts at 5:30 p.m., and fireworks start at 9 p.m. Admission is $10 for ages 13 and up; free for ages 12 and under.

Heritage Park, 1701 Bayou Ln., Slidell, 985-290-6939, SlidellHeritageFest.org

Sparks in the Park

Saturday, July 1, 5:30 p.m.

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to Covington’s Bogue Falaya Park for the annual “Sparks in the Park,” a free festival with loads of food, fun and music for all ages to celebrate Independence Day. Fireworks begin at dusk, when the Covington Concert Band will perform patriotic sounds cued to the fireworks for a breathtaking experience for all the senses. Other entertainment will include activities for the kids and vendor booths offering unique gift items and homemade goods. Picnics and beverages are welcome, but there will be plenty of food and drinks on hand with local food trucks offering a variety of cuisine.

Bogue Falaya Park, 213 Park Dr., Covington, 985-892-1873, covla.com

Light Up the Lake Independence Day Celebration

Monday, July 3

The City of Mandeville will celebrate Independence Day by lighting up Lake Pontchartrain on the Mandeville lakefront at its 9th Annual “Light Up the Lake” celebration. The event is free and open to the public. The celebration features a patriotic tribute and live music, along with a kids tent, games, face painting and food trucks. Entertainment on stage begins at 6 p.m. Fireworks begin at 8:30 p.m. Picnics may be allowed along the lakefront throughout the day.

Lakeshore Drive between Coffee and Carroll Streets, Mandeville, 985-624-3148, ExperienceMandeville.org

Olde Towne Slidell 4th of July Celebration

Tuesday, July 4

Put on your red, white and blue, bring your chairs, and enjoy a day of celebration in Olde Towne Slidell! Enjoy great food, cooling zones, kids activities and live music. And don’t forget the big finale: a music choreographed fireworks show! July 4, 12 p.m.

2200 block of Carey Street, Slidell, 985-285-4415, facebook.com/OldeTowneSlidell

Madisonville Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration

Tuesday, July 4, 10 a.m.

The Town of Madisonville and Keep Madisonville Beautiful invite you to the “Old-Fashioned 4th of July” celebration of America’s independence on the banks of the Tchefuncte River. The celebration includes kids’ games, cornhole and horseshoe tournaments, a veterans’ salute, watermelon eating and rooster crowing contests, a pie bake-off, and fireworks all on the waterfront in front of the old town hall. Bring your chairs, coolers and picnic baskets and find a spot on the riverfront to enjoy the fun! The day of fun closes with fireworks at dusk.

Water Street, Madisonville, facebook.com/ MadisonvilleOldFashioned4thofJuly

Abita Springs 4th of July Celebration

Tuesday, July 4, 2 p.m.

Bring your chairs, blankets, family and friends to the Abita Springs Trailhead Park for their 4th of July Celebration! The festival features a classic car display from Gulf Coast Classic Cruisers, live music, fireworks, face painting for the kids, food from your favorite market food vendors, Abita Beer Truck and additional drinks available for purchase all day. Admission is free. No outside food or drinks. Fireworks will begin approximately at 9 p.m.

22044 Main St., Abita Springs, 985-892-0711, TownofAbitaSprings.com

Northshore Roller Derby vs. Spindletop Roller Girls

Saturday, July 8, 6 p.m.

Cheer on your Northshore Roller Derby “Lethal Ladies” as they take on the Spindletop Roller Girls of Beaumont, Texas in a fast-paced, hard-hitting roller derby bout! Doors open at 6 p.m., bout starts at 7 p.m. Tickets for ages 13 and up are $12 in advance and $15 at the door; kids 8-12, $6, kids 7 and under free.

The Harbor Center, 100 Harbor Center Blvd., Slidell, NsrdvSpindleTop.bpt.me/

Mary’s Wish - Louisiana’s Premiere Fleetwood Mac Show

Friday, July 14, 7:30 p.m.

Mary’s Wish will perform at the Columbia Street Tap Room with all proceeds benefiting the Women’s Center for Healing & Transformation in Abita Springs. Admission is $15 at the door. Mary’s Wish is a six-piece band that performs all the songs you love by Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks.

Columbia Street Taproom, 434 N. Columbia St., Covington, 985-8928111, WomensCenterForHealing.org/benefit-concert---fleetwood-macshow.html

Kokomo Stroll

Saturday, July 15, 5 p.m.

Sample summer cocktails and small plates and enjoy live music and shopping in downtown Covington! Flip flops and boat drinks will be aplenty as crowds fill the downtown streets to taste the most scrumptious summer cocktails and craft beers served by local businesses, as well as several small plate tastings from local restaurants! Patrons will enjoy beach-themed activities, live music and more as they stop at 20+ outdoor tents to sample all food and beverages. Getting creative with your attire is encouraged - think Hawaiian shirts, hula skirts, coconut bras and resort wear! Patrons must be at least 21 years of age to participate. Your Kokomo Stroll cup is your ticket to the event and allows you to sample all food and beverages on site. No cups will be sold on site, and no patrons will be served without a cup and wristband.

Historic Downtown Covington, 504-439-2543, BigTickets.com/ events/cba/

Northshore Cajun July Dance at Abita Town

Saturday, July 15 and August 12

Come “pass a good time” to cajun/ zydeco music at Abita Town Hall at the Northshore Cajun Dancers’ monthly dance. The event includes free dance lessons, 7–7:30 p.m., with live music performance beginning at 8 p.m. Admission is $12 for ages 18 and up ($10 for members of Northshore Cajun Dancers Club), free for kids 12 and under.

22161 Level St., Abita Springs, 504-583-8603, NorthshoreCajunDancers.com/

The Lobby Lounge Concert: Eric Johanson

Wednesday, July 19, 7–9 p.m.

The Lobby Lounge is a listening room that features nationally touring acts throughout the year, focusing on artists from the worlds of indie rock, folk, country, jazz, blues and more. Eric Johanson is a top 10 Billboardcharting guitarist, vocalist and songwriter whose repertoire includes progressive Americana, blues-based roots rock and funk. His four most recent solo releases – “Live at DBA: New Orleans Bootleg”, “Covered Tracks: Vol. 1,” “Covered Tracks: Vol. 2,” and “Below Sea Level” – all reached top-10 positions on the Billboard blues charts. Admission is $20–100 (plus sales tax and fees), in advance online.

100 Harbor Center Blvd., Slidell, 985-781-3650, www.eventbrite.com/e/ericjohanson-live-at-the-lobby-loungetickets-467714114507

Southern Nights Soiree presented by Covington Trace ER & Hospital

Friday, July 21, 7 p.m.

The St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce and Covington Trace ER & Hospital present “Southern Nights Soiree” at The Greystone, where you will enjoy an evening of food from Northshore’s finest restaurants, entertaining casino games, live and silent auctions for memorable experiences and sought-after items, and an open bar for a great night. Admission is $150 for a single ticket, $250 per couple, $100 for member of Northshore Young Professionals (under 40), $1,000 for the corporate ticket package and $2,000 VIP table.

The Greystone, 935 Clausel St., Mandeville, 985-892-3216, us.givergy.com/SouthernNights2023

United Way of Southeast Louisiana West St. Tammany Red Beans ‘N’ Rice Cook-Off

Monday, July 24, 11 a.m.

Each year the Red Beans ‘N’ Rice Cook-Off event marks the official kick-off of the United Way fundraising campaign in St. Tammany Parish. The funds raised at this annual event support suicide prevention, mental health services and other United Way programs in St. Tammany Parish. Enjoy all-you-can-eat red beans and rice by 16–24 cooking teams as they compete for Best Red Beans & Rice and People’s Choice. Admission is $10 at the gate.

317 N. Jefferson Ave., Covington, 985-778-0815 UnitedWaySELA.org/redbeans

Back-to-School Bash

Saturday, July 29, 10 a.m.–12 p.m.

The Children’s Museum of St. Tammany invites you to its Back-toSchool Bash, a preschool and elementary education expo. Kids age 4 and up will get a free backpack with supplies (a $75 value). Supplies are limited. After checking out the expo, be sure to visit the museum for its many fun, educational exhibits. The museum is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and admission is free that day.

21404 Koop Drive, Covington, 985-888-1555, CMSTKids.org/

Northshore Roller Derby vs. Red Stick Capital Defenders and Conroe Roller Derby

Saturday, August 5, 5 & 7 p.m.

Cheer on your Northshore Roller Derby “Lethal Ladies” in a double header bout at The Harbor Center against the Red Stick Capital Defenders of Baton Rouge and against Conroe Roller Derby of Conroe, Texas. Tickets for ages 13 and up are $12 in advance and $15 at the door; kids 8-12, $6, kids 7 and under, free.

100 Harbor Center Blvd., Slidell, brownpapertickets.com/ event/5719000

United Way of Southeast Louisiana East St. Tammany Red Beans ‘N’ Rice Cook-Off

Monday, August 7, 11 a.m.

Each year the Red Beans ‘N’ Rice Cook-Off event marks the official kick-off of the United Way fundraising campaign in St. Tammany Parish. The funds raised at this annual event support suicide prevention, mental health services and other United Way programs in St. Tammany Parish. Enjoy all-you-can-eat red beans and rice by 16–24 cooking teams as they complete for Best Red Beans & Rice and People’s Choice. Admission is $10 at the gate.

7701 Cleveland Ave., Slidell, 504-234-8599, UnitedWaySELA.org/redbeans

OnSTAGE at the Fuhrmann: “Lights Up!”

Thursday, August 17, 6:30 p.m.

Inspired by cabaret-style concerts at legendary New York City venues like The Duplex, 54 Below and Hotel Carlyle’s Carlyle Room, “Lights Up!” features 10 standout performers. This style of show bridges the gap between a concert and a full-scale musical, incorporating acting, singing and choreography while also breaking down the fourth wall between the stage and the audience. Accompanying the performers will be a live, four-piece band, taking full advantage of the Fuhrmann’s unique sound capabilities as well as featuring dynamic stage lighting for each number. Tickets are $20 ($25 at the door, if available) and can be purchased online.

Fuhrmann Auditorium, 317 N. Jefferson Ave., Covington, 985-892-1873, https:// bontempstix.com/events/onstagelights-up-at-the-corner-ofcovington-andbroadway-8-17-2023

Q50 Races Bleau Moon 5 & 10 Miles

Saturday, August 19, 8:15 p.m.

The Q50 Races “Bleau Moon” 5 & 10 Miler is a unique trail event. It happens at night! The annual run through beautiful Fontainebleau State Park in Mandeville is a fast, flat course alongside Lake Pontchartrain. Kids can join the night run, too: the Children’s Race, is a 200-yd. race just-for-fun (no-fee, no t-shirts, no prizes). Admission is free for spectators (+$3 park entrance fee). Entry fees for racers are, for the 5-Miler, $45 and $55 for the 10-Miler. Registration closes August 16 at 11:59 p.m. As this is a nighttime race, a headlamp and mosquito repellent are a must, a whistle is recommended, and runners should be prepared for hot weather. Runners must bring their own bottles. Race volunteers will dispense water and Gatorade. Proceeds of the event benefit the New Orleans Mission shelter and the children housed through the Mission.

62883 Highway. 1089, Mandeville, 504-390-8807, https://ultrasignup. com/register.aspx?did=102908

Ultimate Tailgate Party

Saturday, August 26, 7 p.m.

The Exchange Club of West St. Tammany will host the 11th annual “Ultimate Tailgate Party” at the Covington Trailhead to kick off a winning football season for the New Orleans Saints, LSU Tigers and Tulane Green Waves all while supporting two worthy organizations that provide critical aid to Northshore children and families. There will be lots of food with the BBQ contest, live music by Four Unplugged, an online auction and more. Charities benefiting from this year’s event include Youth Service Bureau’s CASA program, Hope House Children’s Advocacy Center and Just Love Your Neighbor.

419 N. New Hampshire St., Covington, 985-630-6246, UltimateTailgateParty.org