The City of Slidell’s popular Bayou Jam concert series kicks off the spring season with a performance by The Topcats on March 14 and a special hometown award presentation to Slidell from the National League of Cities. The award ceremony begins at 5:00 p.m. and the concert begins at 5:30 p.m. in Heritage Park. Admission is free.

The celebration is a continuation of the festivities of the St. Patrick’s Day parade, presented by the Olde Towne Merchants Association, which will begin at 1 p.m. in Olde Towne Slidell.

The Bayou Jam concerts continue March 28 with a performance by The Burnside Flashers, April 25 with Soul Vaxxination, May 2 with Redline and special guest Jenny Brooks (rescheduled from a previously rained out event last fall) and May 16 with Sgt. Pepper’s Band.

The Topcats

Bayou Jam is now entering its eighth year of free concerts. The concert series has become a great way for family and friends to come together and celebrate their love of music and community spirit. Concerts are held in Heritage Park on Sundays from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

Concert-goers are invited to bring their chairs, blankets, ice chests and picnic baskets to the park to enjoy the free concerts. Soft drinks, bottled water and on?site catering will be available for a nominal charge. Please note that park regulations prohibit pets in the park as well as the use of skateboards, scooters, barbeque grills and glass items.

In addition to celebrating its eighth year of Bayou Jam concerts, the March 14 Topcats concert will include more cause for celebration. This event will feature the hometown presentation of the National League of Cities’ Gold Award for Municipal Excellence.

The City of Slidell received the first place award at the 86th annual NLC Congress of Cities & Exposition for its cultural programming and cultural economy development. The award ceremony will begin at 5 p.m. In the event of inclement weather, the presentation and concert will movie indoors to the Slidell Municipal Auditorium

For more information, please call the City of Slidell’s Department of Cultural & Public Affairs at 646-4375 or visit www.slidell.la.us. For the latest city news updates and information about upcoming events, follow the City of Slidell on Twitter and become a fan on Facebook.

In the event of inclement weather, check the news alert on the city’s website or call for a recorded message with the latest information. The decision to relocate the event to the Slidell Municipal Auditorium will be made by 1 p.m. on the day of the event.