Bush LA Archives - Tamanend LA

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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Three Bushelfuls of Excitement

Tamanend LA — Wed, 27 Apr 2022 22:12:52 +0000

Bush is a quaint town in St. Tammany Parish, just 20 miles north of Tamanend. I wrote about the fantastic Wild Bush Farm and Vineyard in last month’s post. The town is worth mentioning again, as it has a variety of activities and events to enjoy in May.

Bushelful #1 – Around the Town

We love anything crawfish on the Northshore, and that includes the Crawfishman Triathlon. This year’s race is set for Sunday, May 22, 7:30 a.m. With a course running along scenic country roads, the Crawfishman Triathlon features 1,000-meter and 400-meter swim options. The bike course is an in-and-back 18 miles, and participants will finish with a jaunty four-mike run. Whether you participate, cheer someone on or simply want to enjoy the community spirit, you will have a fun outing. To register for the race, click here.

Bushelful #2 – Down for Blueberry Picking

While the season doesn’t kick off until late May, get ready to have those lovely blue-stained fingers and endless deliciousness. One of my favorite places to pick those beautiful baby blues is Bachman Blueberries. The farm supplies buckets and bags; be sure to pack plenty of water and sunscreen. While you wait for the opening day announcement, take a look at these recipes with blueberries as the star ingredient here.

The Bogalusa Balloon Festival is a delight to experience!

Bushelful #3 – Up in the Air

Okay, this third bushelful is not in Bush, however it is just 13 miles north in Bogalusa. During the weekend of May 19-22, things will be up in the air at the Bogalusa Balloon Festival, with hot-air balloon shows throughout the weekend. The event includes live music on Saturday, and both weekend days offer a true fest with crafts, food and carnival for the entire family.

St. Tammany Parish has so many cool towns to explore. Bush (and Bogalusa) are both a bushelful of fun, and that is with a capital B!

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No Whine for This Wine

Tamanend LA — Thu, 18 Oct 2018 22:08:11 +0000

On one of my visits to the Northshore, a local resident asked if I had been to Wine Country. Yes, I answered; I have visited Napa, California. She was referring to the area in Louisiana known for succulent grapes. Wines are created in the Pelican State? I was a bit skeptical, so off I went to Louisiana’s fabled Wine Country in Bush. Bush is a small town located 17 miles northeast of Covington. With all my travels to the area, I had never even heard of this town. Well, suffice it to say, it just may be the Northshore’s best-kept secret.

Am I in Napa? Tuscany? Nope, it’s the other wine country, Bush, Louisiana!

Winery #1

I first visited Pontchartrain Vineyards. I expected there would be a few wines, but to my surprise the winery boasts a selection to suit any taste. Much to my delight, the tasting room was open (typically they are open Thursday – Sunday). For only five dollars, they serve a flight of wines to taste. I prefer reds, so I gravitated to their Dah Red and Dauphine labels. I purchased one bottle of each, and ended up signing up for their wine club. The club is a fantastic deal if you are like me and enjoy trying new wines normally not sold at the grocery store.

An added feature of Pontchartrain Vineyards is Jazz’n the Vines, a fall and spring season outdoor music series at the vineyard. Now this sounds like my kind of party—relaxing in the fall and spring weather, enjoying a picnic dinner and listening to great music. There are upcoming nights this season, so click here for details.

Winery #2

Next up was Bush’s second winery, LA Serendipity Vineyards. This winery is only 10 years old, so the collection is not as extensive as Pontchartrain’s. There are not specific wine tasting hours, however since it was a Sunday afternoon, I was able to taste their Blanc, a light, fruity white. As the vineyard expands, they will offer additional blends.

As I checked into my hotel, I opened one of the bottles I purchased at Pontchartrain. Was it even more delicious than the one I sampled? Perhaps, but even better was I was enjoying a glass of vino from Louisiana’s Wine Country. No whining here!

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