Summer Fun

"Summertime and the livin’ is easy…"

Jefferson Parish has long been looked at as the place where the livin’ is easy. The perception and the actual scene aren’t far apart, and things are no different this summer. There are multitudes of fun and entertaining things to do. And, in tough economic times like these you may want to add, “…without breaking the budget.” Whether you’re single, a family of five, whether you work here or just play here, you can spell Jefferson with the letters F-U-N.

Where to go and what to do? Let us count them all.

For a combination of two favorites (shopping and fresh food), the West Bank of Jefferson Parish is a hub for both. Nothing is as relaxing and downright fun as shopping for fruits and vegetables so fresh they’re still caked with mud when you pick them up. How about seafood that was swimming just a few hours ago? All this while socializing with locals and enjoying the sultry days of summer. Both Westwego and Gretna offer open air farmers markets. (Westwego Farmers & Fisheries Market 504-241-3429) or the Gretna Farmer’s Market.

Are sports your thing? The New Orleans Zephyrs offer the best in minor league baseball (AAA affiliate of the major league, Florida Marlins) play at Zephyr Field on Airline Drive; called “the finest minor league field in America.” For lagniappe, the “Z’s” offer patrons a free, spectacular fireworks show after each Friday night home game (504-734-5155).

Tranquil or exciting? The choice is yours at Lafreniere Park: soccer fields galore, fishing, walking and running tracks, exercise equipment, beautiful waterways, lush gardens, an olde-tyme musical carousel, frisbee golf, tot lots, fountains, hills (that‘s right, hills in Louisiana), softball fields, picnic areas with shelters and a conference center. A labyrinth, mini train and restaurant are on the drawing board for the near future. (838-4383).

Just lookin’? Jefferson Parish’s byways are speckled with flea markets and antique shops that offer everything including vintage Marvel comics, turn of the century furniture, and valuable discoveries from traditional jewelry and Elvis on black velvet to bobble-head dolls, boom boxes and pink flamingos for the lawn. The TrestleFest Art Market on July 17th is free and open to the public and will feature 20 booths will various vendors, along with refreshments and afternoon entertainment. Check it out at Dixie Art (5005 Bloomfiled Street) under the Huey P. Long train trestle in Jefferson. For other hidden treasures in Jefferson Parish surf the net, flip through the yellow pages or just take a drive.

From Shakespeare to Tennessee Williams, you’ll find works by these greats and everything in between in productions by the Jefferson Performing Arts Society. JPAS opens its 32nd season with theaters on the East and West Banks. Along with the Teatro Wego! Dinner Theatre on the West Bank, there is the promise of a gleaming new theater complex in the Lasalle Park complex on Airline Drive. JPAS offers the finest theater productions in America for young and old alike. Group rates are available (504-885-2000).

When the sun goes down and things cool off, try a free outdoor concert on the West Bank. Starting July 16th, the Festival Fridays concert series (every third Friday of the month) kicks off at Fountain Park Centre in Harvey. Don’t miss the Uncle Sam Jam at Lafreniere Park in Metairie on July 3rd. Admission is free and there will music, food and fireworks at 9 pm. The Treasure Chest Casino celebrates the Fourth of July with a fireworks show at 9 pm that is free and open to the public. That should put you in the mood to tackle the more than 1,000 slots, 40 table games, Treasure Island buffet, Pontchartrain Deli and show room and the dancing and live entertainment inside the casino at Lake Town. Before and/or after the Treasure Chest you may want to stop in at the Pontchartrain Center next door where you may walk around a boat or gun show, a coin collectors emporium or an outdoor furniture show. (504-443-8000, 800-298-0711).

Then you have bicycle riding on the Mississippi River levee, as a single or as a member of a bike club, and other bike and running paths around the parish; fishing Lake Pontchartrain from just about anywhere along the shoreline; Rivertown, with its planetarium, museums, restaurants and quaint shops (although at this time, Rivertown facilities are open by appointment only—504-468-7231); libraries, historical sites and museums and camping at Bayou Segnette on the West Bank (504-736-7140).

Livin’ is indeed easy in Jefferson Parish during the summer of 2010. For more information on your favorite spot, contact the Jefferson Convention and Visitors Bureau at 504-731-7083 or visit the JCVB’s website.

Note: Because of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, some leisure activities and attractions in lower Jefferson may now be closed or may close in the future for varying periods of time. The JCVB is continuing to monitor the oil spill situation daily and will keep visitors to its website apprised. ◗