For as long as I have lived in Slidell there has always been something that brings a smile to my face when the fall weather is on the horizon.
And I know I am not the only one.
The St. Margaret Mary Fair, as most of us have always called it—but more exactly the Slidell Food and Fun Fest—is only two weeks away and coming up fast on Friday through Sunday, Oct. 20-22.
This year’s huge event is expected to draw over 70,000 people over the three-day event, according to Fair Director Rob Bywater, as it seems to grow every year.
And why not? Even though I wouldn’t call Slidell a small town, the Food and Fun Fest continues to offer a small-town fall family atmosphere with great rides, great food and great music that Rob says they never want to lose.
Maybe that’s what has maintained the fair’s popularity. It still feels like a hometown fair when you walk onto the school grounds where you see thousands of kids running around, parents and grandparents strolling with their kids, and everything you could ask for in a real fall fair.
Rob said they are presenting a Mardi Gras theme for this year’s fair, and there will be more food vendors than you could ever ask for, with plenty of homemade items from church members selling inside the gym, as well as dozens of Slidell and regional restaurants setting up their booths outside. And don’t forget all the games that come with the amusement rides!
Ride bands are already on sale by calling the church office at 985-643-6124 or stopping by the office at 1050 Robert Blvd. And they are again offering the Fast Pass drawing—a brilliant idea I might say—which is a raffle that allows you to be escorted around by Father Dan and jump to the head of the line.
I have my annual talk with Rob each year a few weeks before the fair to see what might be different for this year and I must say I am in awe of anyone who can take charge of running this massively huge operation. Rob is quick to let me know that it’s really about organization and he is hardly the guy running around doing it all.
The way it works is that he has dozens of committee heads, all church and school volunteers, and everyone has their little area to direct, so it’s kind of like running a complicated business with hundreds of people.
All I know, and I’m sure many of you will agree, is that the SMM Fair is one great event for our community each year. And I always love the way Rob emphasizes to me, quite sincerely, about the intent of the church, school and volunteers to ensure this will forever be a real community event.
Last year they came up with a host of new security measures that include a big fence around the exterior of the grounds, as well as many more Slidell Police officers and volunteer security people. Rob has told me about many situations that were averted due to their security people walking around all the time, many of them in plain clothes to keep an eye out so kids don’t get in trouble.
It has worked quite well since they have ramped up their focus on the security of the fair and the result is the safe, fun atmosphere we have all enjoyed.
For that, I’m very appreciative and I know our Slidell community feels the same way. So, mark your calendars for Oct. 20-22 where I hope to see you there.
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As for fantastic community events, there are two other great ones this Saturday in Slidell with the Food Truck Festival out at the Harbor Center from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Oktoberfest ready for another big year in Olde Towne, starting at 4 p.m.
Whoever decided to try a food truck festival at the Harbor Center needs to be given a free pass to all the food every year. Sponsored by the Friends of the Harbor Center, the response was so great right out of the gate several years ago that they quickly turned it into a spring and fall event.
That’s because there is something about the food you get from those trucks, and it seems to be so fantastic and delicious. I can guarantee you that because these trucks have sold out of everything usually a bit before the 3 p.m. wrap-up to the event!
Oktoberfest has quickly grown since the Olde Towne Main Street group started that only a few years ago, and it has turned into a very big party right near Umbrella Alley where you will find great, authentic German food, drinks and music.
Check out the front page of today’s paper for more detailed info on both, and make sure to get out Saturday for lots of fun. Maybe I will find you with my camera!
Kevin Chiri can be reached by e-mail at kevinchiri@gmail.com.