Abita Springs Archives - Tamanend LA

Red, White and Blue All Summer

Tamanend LA — Wed, 05 Jun 2024 19:41:09 +0000

Summer is hot up on the Northshore, and it is also hot, hot, hot with fun. Here are just a few fun-filled things to do over the next few months.

Put on Your Red, White and Blue

It’s summer, and that means pie-eating contests at July Fourth celebrations.

The Northshore has many celebrations of America’s independence on Thursday, July 4. Madisonville presents an “Old-Fashioned 4th of July” on the banks of the Tchefuncte River. The fun begins at 10 a.m. with cornhole and horseshoe tournaments, watermelon eating contest, pie bake-off, kids’ games, food, music, and of course, fireworks. More details here. Not to be outdone, Abita Springs is hosting a Fourth of July celebration at the Trailhead Park. The festival features military appreciations, live music, fireworks, food and more, from 2 p.m. to the fireworks finale at 9 p.m. For details, click here. As for the eastern part of the parish, Olde Towne Slidell has its celebration with food, games, eating contests, kids’ activities and live bands at three locations. Festivities begin at noon, and fireworks will cap off the evening. For more details, click here.

Turn Your Fingers Blue

It is officially get-your-fingers-blue season, as it is time for blueberry picking! At Bachman Blueberries, the young and young-at-heart can pick their own to enjoy in your favorite recipes. The farm supplies the buckets and bags for convenience. Be sure you lather up with sunscreen and stay hydrated with plenty of water. And, definitely be sure to indulge in the blueberry lemonade and muffins during your visit. For more information, click here.

Get Back to Red (Beans)

It’s back for the fifteenth year, and it is going to be so tasty! The Red Beans ‘n’ Rice Cookoff is set for two dates, July 29 for West St. Tammany and August 5 for East St. Tammany. This yummy event marks the official rollout of United Way of Southeast Louisiana’s fundraising campaign. The West event is at the Greater Covington Center; the East event will be held at the Slidell Auditorium. Both events run 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are $10 for all the red beans and rice you can eat, with funds raised to support suicide prevention, mental health services and other United Way programs in St. Tammany Parish. For tickets, click here.

Summer is the time to enjoy great family fun, and the Northshore has you covered in red, white and blue!

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It’s Time to Have Fun

Tamanend LA — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 20:10:19 +0000

It’s a new year, and that means lots of new fun! From January through March, you have a wide choice of activities and events in St. Tammany Parish. Here are a few highlights.

Play Time

We love our arts on the Northshore, and that includes local theatre! We are fortunate to have a variety of options to enjoy a live performance of some of the most beloved plays and musicals. Slidell Little Theatre always seems to have an amazing array of comedy and drama, so there is something for everyone. Coming up in January is Shakespeare’s epic tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. Performances run the weekends of January 12 and 19. In Covington, Playmakers Theatre presents a hilarious whodunit, Murder at Weatherfield, Saturdays and Sundays in March. For tickets to Slidell Little Theatre, click here. For Playmakers, click here.

Festival Time

St. Tammany Parish boasts a plethora of festivals throughout the year, and the first few months of offerings are no exception. From the Slidell Antique Fair to the Louisiana Food Truck Festival, there is a festival for you! One of my favorites is the 2024 Abita Springs Whole Town Garage Sale and Flea Market. Residents from around the area gather to showcase their wares on the same day. If you like to search for treasure at a great price, March 30 is the date to mark on your calendar. In addition to the sale, you can peruse goods from a variety of vendors and enjoy food from local restaurants. For more information about upcoming festivals, click here.

Party Time

Take a “paws” for two parades celebrating our four-legged friends!

It cannot be the first quarter of the year without it being Mardi Gras time! This year, Fat Tuesday takes place on February 13, 2024, and the Northshore has a score of parades to enjoy. The first one is in Covington on January 6, and from there, 16 more parades are set for the parish up to Mardi Gras. While there are too many to name here, two of my favorites are actually after the official Mardi Gras date. The Krewe du Pooch in Mandeville and Krewe of Mardi Paws in Covington are being held the weekend afterward. Both events celebrate our four-legged friends in style. For a complete list of the Mardi Gras parade schedule, click here.

The Northshore has so much to enjoy. To stay up-to-date on the latest happenings, visit visitthenorthshore.com

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Come to Your Senses

Tamanend LA — Mon, 30 Jan 2023 16:16:59 +0000

I absolutely love a parade. I appreciate how one event can arouse all five senses of sight, sound, taste, smell and touch. While New Orleans is the most famous city for Mardi Gras parades and events, the Northshore adds a special flair to its productions. From Madisonville to Covington, and from Bush to Slidell, you have the opportunity to delight in 20 parades over the Mardi Gras season. I have a few standouts to recommend.

Lots of beads to catch during Mardi Gras 2023 on the Northshore!

Going for the Gusto

The The Town of Abita Springs knows how to have a unique party. The Krewe of Push Mow parade, set for Saturday, February 11 at noon, features colorful floats and marching bands. However, the main attraction is the amount of splendidly decorated lawn mowers throughout the parade. Afterward, live music and Abita Beer will be enjoyed at the Party in the Park. (UPDATE 2.9.23–the parade has been moved to Sunday, February 12, 1 p.m. due to expected inclement weather on Saturday)

Going for the Gold (and Green and Purple)

On Mardi Gras, February 21, the fun starts early on the Northshore in Covington. One of the largest parades, with over 450 participants, features 24 magnificent floats, bands, walkers, artists and more. The fun continues with Tammany Gras at the Covington Trailhead with live music, games, activities and food. The parade begins at 10 a.m., so grab a coffee and get there early for a great viewing spot.

This is “tutu” fun at the Krewe du Pooch and Krewe of Mardi Paws parades!

Going to the Dogs

The weekend after Fat Tuesday offers us two parades celebrating our four-legged friends. The Krewe du Pooch parade along the Mandeville lakefront takes place Saturday, February 25 at noon. The next day, the Krewe of Mardi Paws strolls through downtown Covington, beginning at 2 p.m. Both parades support animal humane non-profits. Be on the lookout for plenty of owners and dogs dressed alike!

No matter which parade (or parades for that matter) you partake in, you are sure to experience all five senses. Just be sure to also use your common sense to know when you have had enough (beads, of course).

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A New Way of Looking at Things

Tamanend LA — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 22:05:10 +0000

With the new year upon us, we have the opportunity to enjoy new experiences on the Northshore. The only resolution to keep is to take advantage of them! Here are a few 2023 delights I hope to partake in:

One – A New Play

We are so fortunate to have several venues to see performances of the latest musicals, historic comedies and memorable dramas. I am a huge fan of playwright Neil Simon, so a must-see performance is Laughter on the 23^rd Floor at 30 by Ninety Theatre in Mandeville. Inspired by Simon’s youthful experience as a staff writer on Sid Caesar’s Your Show of Shows, this ensemble comedy has plenty of comic gags and hijinks as the harried writing staff frantically scrambles to top each other to garner the attention of the star, Max Prince. Performances run on weekends beginning January 21 through February 5. For tickets, click here.

Get your bloom on at the Winter Camellia Festival, January 26-29.

Two – A New Festival

There are plenty of music festivals all over St. Tammany Parish throughout the year, and I will surely attend quite a few of those. I also want to experience some of the amazing events that feature everything from chili cook-offs to art to blooms. An upcoming weekend marked in my calendar is the Winter Camellia Festival, held January 26-29, at Mizell’s Camellia Hill Nursery in Folsom. You can enjoy the beautiful camellia gardens, along with free refreshments, children’s activities and more. For details, click here.

Three – A New Place (or More)

Over the last few years, I have traveled to the well-known and lesser-known towns in the parish. This year, I want to take a deeper dive into the history and hidden treasures of all the extraordinary places on the Northshore. From Bush’s beginnings to Madisonville’s magical ambiance, our slice of heaven in Southeast Louisiana holds much to discover.

This year is going to be spectacular on the Northshore. The more new experiences, the better!

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Spring to Abita This Summer

Tamanend LA — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 21:58:20 +0000

With a recent free Sunday, I immediately thought of heading down to one of my favorite towns on the Northshore. I always enjoy my time in Abita Springs, from the Abita Brew Pub to the Tammany Trace Trailhead. Here are three unique stops to enjoy!

Springs Stop #1 – So Much to See

I picked a fantastic day, as the weather was glorious to walk around the Abita Springs Art and Farmers Market. I scored a jar (or three) of delicious blueberry jam, along with purple cauliflower and locally made honey. As for the handmade soaps, I truly cleaned up! The market takes place every Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at the trailhead.

Abita Brew Pub has swag to snag after a delicious meal.

Springs Stop #2 – So Much to Eat and Drink

I had worked up quite an appetite walking around the market, so it was time to refresh and relax at Abita Brew Pub. I basically qualify as a frequent flier at this restaurant, as I eat here every time I visit the town. I started with the fried artichoke hearts with ranch, then it was onto the “Andygator” crab-and-crawfish cake with remoulade. Naturally, I had to indulge with a nice, cold beer. With a name the same as my childhood dog, Barney, it was the perfect choice. Thank goodness I did not have a cholesterol screening the next day!

Springs Stop #3 – So Much Weirdness

In all my previous stops, I had yet to visit this wacky place. Wacky as it is, I do think they should add ‘Fun” in the Abita Springs Mystery House name. With hordes of nonsense displays, oddities and salvaged items, this place should be on your see-it-to-believe-it list. While one visit will likely be enough, it is definitely memorable! Trust me, it is worth the stop on your itinerary. The house is open daily, and the price of admission is only $5.

If you want an enjoyable, quirky day on the Northshore, Abita Springs is a great choice to spring to before summer ends!

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The Northshore Is Our Lucky Charm

Tamanend LA — Mon, 28 Feb 2022 19:14:12 +0000

You can always find a fun time any day of the year on the Northshore, and perhaps even more so on St. Patrick’s Day! Here are three ways to enjoy a day where green looks great on you:

I love a parade, especially one with lots of green!

Lucky Fun #1 – A Parade

Even if you had your fill of Mardi Gras parades, you have another pot of gold waiting in Slidell! The Olde Towne Slidell St. Patrick’s Day Parade is back, and boy is it back in a big way. On Sunday, March 13, 1 p.m., the parade will present over 50 floats, walking groups, bikes, horses, cars, trucks, dance groups and marching bands. Did I read correctly you can also gather the ingredients for Irish Stew? Yep, with heads of cabbage, thousands of onions, potatoes, celery and carrots, so bring a tote bag to fill up. The parade begins and ends at City Hall.

Lucky Fun #2 – A Concert

We may not be able to experience the annual Covington parade this year, however you can celebrate our favorite green day at the Covington Trailhead on St. Patrick’s Day! The Second Annual “Get Your Irish On” concert with headliner “Four Unplugged” is sure to get things rocking. Add in the costume contest, games and food trucks, and the fun is basically guaranteed. The event takes place 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and admission is free!

Lucky Fun #3 – A Beer (or Two)

St. Tammany Parish has a plethora of really cool brew pubs, and each one seems to know just how much we love beer. At The Brass Monkey Draught Emporium in Slidell, you have your choice of 36 brews on tap. Over at Old Rail Brewing Company, located across from the Mandeville Trailhead, we are sure there will be some green beer flowing. And at Chafunkta Brewing Company, also in Mandeville, it will be a shamrock-and-roll kind of day. Of course, Abita Brew Pub, with its amazing brew selection and delicious pub grub, makes our list. Each place knows how to serve up some great beers and great fun.

However you enjoy St. Patty’s Day this year, you can consider yourself lucky to enjoy it on the Northshore!

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“Krewes-in” for Fun

Tamanend LA — Wed, 26 Jan 2022 18:33:08 +0000

Mardi Gras is back, baby! The bead-filled fun has been going on for weeks, culminating this year on Fat Tuesday, March 1. While there is a plethora of Krewe parades to attend, the Northshore boasts some of the most enjoyable in my opinion. Here are three upcoming ones sure to please.

Mardi Gras 2022 is in full parade extravaganza mode!

Krewe of Bilge (Slidell) – Saturday, February 12, noon

I love a parade, and even more so when it is on water! For over 40 years, the Krewe of Bilge participants have paraded around on boats from the middle of Slidell waterways. The route begins at Phil’s Marina Café. One of my favorite spots to catch beads (and for great people-watching) is at The Dock. Wherever you choose to mark your spot, do so early!

Krewe of Push Mow (Abita Springs) – Saturday, February 19, noon

With the theme of “A pandemic, a hurricane… what’s next for Abita,” how can you not have a blast? Float suggestions, which include aliens invading to Santa coming to town again, are sure to make this one heck of a spectator’s delight. The family-friendly parade route starts and ends at Abita Springs Middle School, with much of it on Main Street. If you have yet to attend the Push Mow parade, be sure to make plans for this year. The decorated push lawn mowers are worth the trip alone.

Covington Lions Club and Krewe of Covington (Covington) – Tuesday, March 1, 10 a.m.

On actual Mardi Gras day, you get two parades for the price of one (free)! First up is the Covington Lions Club, with close to 20 floats expected, along with antique car clubs, mounted horses and more. The route begins at the intersection of North Columbia and Jefferson Streets. Immediately following is a second parade, presented by the Krewe of Covington. The krewe was founded over 70 years ago, and it knows how to put on a show. Once this parade is over, more fun awaits at the Covington Trailhead, with live music, kids’ games and scrumptious food.

For a complete list of 2022 parades, click here. New Orleans may be more famous for Mardi Gras, but for those of us on the Northshore, we like to parade around our towns!

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Fall for September Fun

Tamanend LA — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 20:20:21 +0000

Yes, fall is just around the corner, and it is a welcoming thought! St. Tammany Parish always has lots going on, and the beginning of autumn is no exception. Here are three music-themed events for September.

Music Fest – Pearl River

Okay, it is actually called the Honey Island Swamp Fest. On September 10 and 11, the town of Pearl River is taken over for a two-day festival of fun. Monster truck shows and rides; mechanical bull and mini-bike races; car exhibit; arts and crafts area; and of course, a complete line-up of live music. Admission is $15; children 10 and under are free. For details, check out the event’s Facebook page.

Musical – Mandeville

If you have yet to see this amazing musical, you still have the chance. One of our favorite theatres, 30 by Ninety Theatre, is performing “Rent” on weekends, now through September 19. The story, set in New York City’s East Village, is about love, finding your voice and living life to its fullest. Once you see the performance, you will totally understand why 525,600 minutes are so important. For tickets and details, click here.

The Busker Festival in Abita Springs is a full day of music and fun!

Music Festival – Abita Springs

I know where I want to be on Sunday, September 19. It becomes even more likely with these two words, busker and free. The 10th Annual Abita Springs Busker Festival is a free event featuring six French Quarter bands at the Abita Springs Trailhead. In addition to the music, there will be lots of food vendors and lots of fun. All you have to do is bring your lawn chair and get there early! So, what is a busker, you may ask? A busker is a street performer who works for tips; however, none are allowed during this festival!

With fall officially beginning September 22, just think of all the activities still ahead for us to fall for!

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The Northshore Has That Lovin’ Feeling

Tamanend LA — Mon, 27 Apr 2020 18:39:32 +0000

While I typically write about all the really cool things to do on the Northshore and surrounding places, it seems appropriate this month with the Coronavirus pandemic to write about the really cool residents of our Parish. The people of this amazing area of Louisiana always seem to show that lovin’ feeling when it comes to taking care of each other.

Our Schools

While our parents had to learn “new math,” we have all had to adapt to a new way of learning. Teachers, administrators, staff, parents and students have all experienced an adjustment period. The St. Tammany Parish Public Schools have done an incredible job of providing online resources for parents and children, along with access to their Cares Helpline to address mental health issues. Also, the weekday hot lunches and “grab and go” boxes with 10 days’ supply of food have been a lifeline to many students.

Our Frontline Workers

Thank you to Ochsner Health and all frontline workers in St. Tammany Parish.

Calling them Healthcare Heroes even seems a bit inadequate. Doctors, nurses, technicians, EMTs and paramedics are indeed on the frontline. Add in the amazing St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, the individual town police departments, fire departments and 911 operators, and it creates an incomparable team of professionals going way beyond. I love that Parish residents are helping with donations to the Ochsner Employee Assistance Fund. This fund provides assistance for employees directly impacted by COVID-19 with financial grants. The support shown for all frontline workers by businesses, groups and organizations has been wonderful, with meal, supply and financial donations.

Our Community

I have come to realize St. Tammany Parish is all about community. For example, the Tourist and Convention Commission is keeping us updated on the who, what, where and when of area business operations. Northshore Food Bank has more than doubled the distribution of food. The St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce set up a Facebook page, St. Tammany Eats, as our go-to source for restaurant menus, specials and delivery options.

As I have said time and again in this blog series, the Northshore is truly remarkable. Yes, it has all the ingredients for the “perfect” place to live. It also has some of the most generous, friendliest people, as we have witnessed even more so over the last month. On the Northshore is off the charts when it comes to community!

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Three Site Sights for Sightseekers

Tamanend LA — Mon, 26 Aug 2019 02:02:07 +0000

With the hot days of summer winding down, now is the perfect time to experience some really cool things without leaving the Parish. Receiving recommendations from locals all over St. Tammany, here are my suggestions for three memorable sights that basically scream Louisiana.

Site Sight #1 – Cabin Fever

Right on the shore of Lake Pontchartrain, beyond the city lights of New Orleans, you can become one with nature at Fontainebleau State Park. Spread over 2,800 acres, this nature lover’s paradise features recreation of all sorts. Whether you want to hike, bike, kayak, birdwatch or just laze on the sandy beach, this park has it all and more. For around $150 per night, you and your family can extend that fun with a stay in a fully furnished cabin. Much to my delight, these cabins are actually quite cozy and well-kept. Hanging out on the porch at night telling ghost stories just added to the thought of what was in those woods. Remember to bring your own S’mores’ ingredients!

Site Sight #2 – Louisiana’s Version of Ripley’s Believe It or Not

When describing the Abita Mystery House, quirky does not seem adequate. It is truly a case of you have to see it to believe it. Located in Abita Springs, this part museum, part weirdness, part art and part junk is in my book for top state tacky attraction. Besides all this, you will see a dogigator (no misspelling here; that’s what they call it) and miniature recreations of Louisiana points of history. Just stop here and see this place, then hop over to Abita Brew Pub to discuss with your cohorts what you just experienced. Trust me, everyone will have a different answer.

Site Sight #3 – Swamp Things

I didn’t say, “We need a bigger boat.” I said “We need a smaller gator.”

My last recommendation for cool things to do is go on a swamp tour. If you would have told me I would one, go on a tour and two, enjoy it, I would have said you were right about the first part. I took this tour on a dare, as I am not a fan of alligators or any reptile for that matter. There were plenty of the creatures and quite a few sights I would rather forget, however I did see a lot of beautiful birds. So why am I recommending this? Like me, you can say you did it once. Shout out to the Honey Island Swamp Tour guides for keeping me calm.

St. Tammany Parish has a plethora of outstanding recreation, restaurants, museums and architecture. Add in these three unique sights, and you can say, “I have now just about seen it all.”

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