Fun in the Fall: Local Festivals, Activities & Events

Fun Fall Activities 2024

Jefferson Parish and surrounding areas harvest a hefty crop of fun fall activities, from spooky excitement to autumn festivities. Take a look at all there is to do this October and November!

October

Abita Fall Fest: October 11-12

• Named Gambit’s Best Festival of 2023, the Abita Fall Fest is back to celebrate the art, music, and culture of Abita Springs, LA, with live music, delicious food, local craft vendors, and activities for all. 

Crescent City Blues & BBQ Festival: October 11-13

• Established in 2006, this festival showcases top performers from LA and MS. Enjoy delicious BBQ from local vendors and explore an arts market featuring handmade jewelry and crafts.

Ghosts in the Oaks: October 17-20

• City Park’s annual event returns this fall, featuring four nights of unlimited amusement park rides, arts & crafts, a pumpkin patch, and trick-or-treating in Storyland.

Boo at the Zoo: October 18-20

• Join the fun at Audubon Zoo from October 18-20 for three days of spooktacular entertainment with your favorite zoo animals!

Rougarou Fest: October 18-20

• This free festival brings a spooky flair to the bayous of Southeast LA. Enjoy live music, activities, Cajun food, a parade, and more, all while celebrating local folklore.

Lafreniere Park Trunk or Treat: October 19 from 6:00 to 9:00 PM

• Join the 5th Annual Trunk or Treat at Lafreniere Park for spooktacular fun. This event features 45 vehicles handing out free candy, plus a food court, carousel rides, spacewalks, and more.

City of Kenner’s Trunk or Treat: October 19 at 5:00 PM

• Get ready for a spooky good time at Muss Bertolino Stadium with trunk-or-treating and an outdoor screening of “IF.” Don’t forget to come dressed in your costume!

Kenner Food Truck Fest: October 20 from 11:00 Am to 7:30 PM

• The 3rd Annual Food Truck Festival hosted by the City of Kenner will feature live music, arts & crafts vendors, an activity zone, and delicious food from over 30 local food trucks, so bring your appetite!

Elmwood Self Storage Drive Thru Trick or Treat: October 25 from 6:30-8:00 PM

• Drive through Elmwood Self Storage’s covered and decorated drive for a free, spooky drive-thru trick-or-treat event! Stop along the way to collect candy and treats.

Coquille Trunk-or-Treat: October 25 from 6:30-8:30 PM

• Head to Coquille Parks and Recreation for a fun-filled trunk-or-treat celebration!

Westwego Farmers Market Trick or Treat: October 26 from 5:00-8:00 PM.

• This free event offers candy, live music, a costume contest, food vendors, craft vendors, and more!

Harahan Fest: October 27 from 4:00-8:00

• Harahan Fest promises a trunk-or-treat, live music, games, food, and endless fun for everyone.

November

Jean Lafitte Town Market: November 9 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

• Enjoy live music, delicious offerings from local restaurants and seafood vendors, plus a variety of arts & crafts at the Jean Lafitte Town Market.

Westwego Chili Cook-Off: November 9 from 10:00 Am to 2:00 PM

• Join the 2nd Annual Wego Winter Wonderland Chili Cook-Off for a day of fun, featuring chili from local teams and live music by a local artist.

2024 Beignet Fest: November 16 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM

• Bring your appetite to the Annual Beignet Fest at the Festival Grounds in New Orleans City Park. Indulge in everything from traditional to savory beignets, served by local restaurants, caterers, and food trucks. The festival will also feature live music performances, an Artist Market, and more.

Looking for a place to call home this season?

Check out the full list of our apartment communities and find your next home today!

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Why New Orleans is a Top Choice for College Students and Graduates – and Where to Live

With its vibrant culture and renowned academic institutions, New Orleans stands out as a top destination for college students and recent graduates. According to a recent Forbes ranking, New Orleans is among the best cities for higher education. Its rich cultural heritage, academic opportunities, and growing job market create a unique experience for those seeking more than just a degree.

For students attending local universities, such as Tulane University, University of New Orleans, Xavier University, etc., finding the right place to live can be challenging. Many students enjoy the lively energy of downtown New Orleans, but for those looking for a suburban environment that still offers close proximity to campus, there’s good news. At 1st Lake Properties, many of our communities are located just outside the city, offering a balance of comfort and convenience.

Why New Orleans?

In Forbes’ analysis of the best cities for college students, New Orleans stands out for several reasons:

• Diverse Economy: Post-graduation, the city provides numerous opportunities in industries such as tourism, healthcare, and technology.
• Affordability: While some cities are known for high living costs, New Orleans offers a more accessible housing market, making it attractive for students and young professionals starting their careers.
• Cultural Richness: From the French Quarter to local festivals, New Orleans’ unique culture creates a dynamic environment. Students can immerse themselves in the city’s vibrant art, food, and music scenes.

Suburban Living Near The City

For those who prefer to live just outside the city, our communities in Kenner, Metairie, and River Ridge are just a short drive from local colleges. This allows students to stay close to campus while enjoying a more relaxed residential atmosphere. Whether you’re a student, recent graduate, or early-career professional, our communities provide an ideal mix of comfort and convenience.

Enjoy the Best of Both Worlds

Living just outside of New Orleans means you can experience the best the city has to offer while avoiding some of the busier aspects of city life. Our communities are thoughtfully designed, offer great amenities, and provide convenient access to all of New Orleans’ attractions, from local hotspots to career opportunities.

Find Your New Apartment Home

If you’re looking for a place near a local university, our communities offer a variety of options to suit your needs. To see a list of available communities near you, click here!

Forbes data sourced from Forbes’ Best Cities for College Students and Graduates.

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337 Bertolino Drive

House for Rent at 337 Bertolino Drive, Kenner, La 70065

Located in the desirable Kenner, La, this newly renovated four-bedroom, three-bath home at 337 Bertolino Drive offers everything you need in the area you want. 

This 2,200 sq ft home in Kenner – has four bedrooms and three bathrooms, private parking, and lots of storage space.

You will find:

• Large Open Floorplan
• Brand New Stainless Steel Appliances including a washer and dryer
• Brand new lighting, flooring & paint throughout 
• 4 Spacious Bedrooms; 2 bedrooms with attached bathrooms
• 3 Full Bathrooms
• Private Parking
• Spacious Backyard 
• Open Floor Plan with Dining Room, Living Room, and Open Kitchen Area
• Ceiling Fans in Living Areas

Contact us today if you would like to tour this home: 504.385.1350

This beautiful home is leasing for $2,600/month for a 12-month lease. 

The Application fees are $35/ leaseholder and $35/occupant over 18 years old.  

The Security Deposit is $1,500.

Pet Policy:

Deposit $1,000

1 Pet (total maximum weight 60 pounds full grown): $1,000 deposit of which $100 is non-refundable, plus $35/month pet fee.

2 Pets (Maximum total weight, of both pets combined, 60 pounds full grown): $1,000 deposit of which $100 is non-refundable, plus $50/month pet fee.

Restricted dog breeds include any dogs which are partial, or full, Pit Bull, American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, English Bull Terrier, Chow Chow, Rottweiler, Doberman, Alaskan Malamutes, Huskies, Presa Canario, Saint Bernard, Great Dane, Akita, Rhodesian Ridgeback, German Sheppard, Bluetick Coonhound, Catahoula Hound or Boxer. 1st Lake reserves the right to restrict any other breed or animal.

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7 Places Near New Orleans for the Perfect Summer Picnic

The Greater New Orleans area offers plenty of summer fun, and a New Orleans picnic is one of the best ways to enjoy the outdoors.

Planning a family reunion potluck? A sun-soaked day or a romantic date? There are plenty of idyllic picnic spots in New Orleans to experience. Here are a few of our favorites!

Fontainebleau State Park

Residents of Grand Palms in Mandeville love having easy access to the natural beauty of Fontainebleau State Park. The nature trails offer hiking opportunities. Plus, the cabins and lodges are a great staycation getaway. Grab a spot under one of the ancient oak trees, or pick a picnic location overlooking Lake Pontchartrain.

Covington Trailhead

Having a picnic at the Covington Trailhead feels like taking a trip back in time. Located near downtown Covington and close to Artesia, our newest luxury apartment community, the Covington Trailhead resembles an old-fashioned railroad station.

The venue hosts community events, including the Covington Farmers Market every Wednesday.

There are restrooms and water fountains onsite. And the grassy knoll here is an ideal picnic spot.

Lafreniere Park

Conveniently located close to many of our Metairie apartments, Lafreniere Park is an urban oasis.

The apartment communities of Wildflower, Breckenridge, and White Water Creek are closest to the park. But, with its location just off of Veterans Blvd, the park is easily accessible for all.

Lafreniere Park offers 155 acres of outdoor fun, including plenty of beautiful picnic spots. You’ll also find a Frisbee golf course and a Spray Park, which is open Thursday through Sunday from noon-7PM.

New Orleans City Park

Just a short trip from Park Oaks, Breakers, and Surf Rider apartments, New Orleans City Park is one of the largest urban public parks in the country. With 1,300 acres to explore, there are plenty of quiet spots for picnicking. And there are covered pavilions available to rent for larger gatherings.

One of our favorite spots in City Park is Couturie Forest, which features trails perfect for bird-watching.

Laketown

For residents of Sugar Mill East and Sugar Mill West apartments, Laketown is just steps away. This gorgeous park is situated on beautiful Lake Pontchartrain in Kenner.

Laketown is also the home of Treasure Chest Casino and the Coconut Beach Sand Volleyball Complex, the largest sand sports complex in the United States.

Picnic shelters are available for rent, or you can find a spot along the lake shore. A lighted pier also offers the perfect location for freshwater fishing.

John Slidell Park

Just a short drive from Audubon Gates apartments is John Slidell Park. The walking trails in this park are dog-friendly, much like our apartment communities. Here you’ll find plenty of shade for a nice picnic, as well as playgrounds for family fun.

La Salle Park

Many of our apartment communities in Elmwood are close to the scenic La Salle Park, including Sawmill Creek and Walnut Creek. The park is located right next to Zephyr Stadium and features a nature boardwalk, a jogging path, and an outdoor environmental classroom. And there are lots of scenic spots perfect for a picnic!

Have a picnic at home!

Many of our New Orleans area apartments feature beautiful resort-style outdoor features onsite. So you won’t even need to leave home to have a relaxing picnic outdoors! Explore all of our available apartments to find your perfect fit.

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Summertime Recipes

Elevate your summertime flavor with these easy, no-bake recipes! Ideal for those warm days when you want a delicious treat without all the work!

No-Bake Summer Recipes

Savory

Shrimp Cocktail — A spin on the traditional shrimp cocktail, this version calls for creamy, cool avocado and Cholula hot sauce (though we bet you could substitute with Crystal). It also happens to pair perfectly with frozen margaritas!

Ingredients:

• 10 jumbo shrimp, peeled, deveined, and steamed
• 1/2 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup Cholula hot sauce
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1/2 cup pico de gallo
• 1/2 avocado, cut into chunks
• 2 cilantro sprigs
• tortilla chips to serve

Recipe: 

• Whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, ketchup, and hot sauce.
• Add salt, pepper, pico de gallo, avocado, and shrimp. Stir gently to combine.
• Garnish with cilantro and serve with tortilla chips.

Panzanella — This no-cook salad is full of texture and pairs well with a variety of main dishes. You can serve it at room temperature or chilled.

Ingredients: 

• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 2 15-oz cans cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
• 3 cups cubed country bread
• 1 pound plum tomatoes cut into small pieces
• 1 English cucumber, thinly sliced
• 1/4 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 4 ounces provolone cheese, diced
• 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

Recipe: 

• Whisk together oil and vinegar; season with salt and pepper.
• Add all ingredients except basil and toss to combine. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (but no more than 8 hours).
• Stir in fresh basil just before serving.

Cantaloupe, Lime & Chili Soup — Complex flavors and a gorgeous color make this the most elegant dish on your summer menu. Plus, it only takes four ingredients!

Ingredients:

• 3-pound cantaloupe
• 3/4 teaspoon sambal oelek (Asian chili paste)
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt

Recipe: 

• Cut cantaloupe flesh into large chunks and puree with sambal oelek, lime juice, and salt until smooth.
• Refrigerate at least one hour until thoroughly chilled. Serve in a chilled bowl with more sambal oelek, to taste.

Sweet

No-Bake Peanut Butter Nutella Cookies — The recipe pretty much says it all. Yum!

Ingredients: 

• 2 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1/4 cup peanut butter
• 1/4 cup Nutella
• 3 cups quick oats

Recipe: 

• Over medium heat, cook sugar, cocoa, milk and margarine. Boil one minute. Remove from heat.
• Stir in vanilla, salt, peanut butter, Nutella and oats. Stir until combined. Drop by teaspoon on wax paper and cool. Refrigerate until chilled, and enjoy.

Ice Cream with Honey-Poached Apricots — Fruity and refreshing.

Ingredients:

• 1 pint vanilla ice cream
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup honey
• 2 strips peeled lemon zest
• 4 apricots, pitted and quartered
• 1/4 cup toasted coconut

Recipe: 

• Bring water, honey, and lemon zest to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, add apricots and poach until fork tender, about 2-5 minutes.
• Drain apricots, reserving the syrup (remove lemon peels)
• Serve apricots with vanilla ice cream and top with syrup.

No-Bake Strawberry Tart — This elegant dessert is deceptively easy to make.

Ingredients:

• 32 Oreo cookies
• 1/2 stick melted butter
• 7 ounces milk chocolate
• 3.5 ounces bittersweet chocolate
• 7 ounces heavy cream
• 10 ounces fresh strawberries
• Chopped nuts (almonds, pistachios, etc), optional, for serving

Recipe: 

• Place Oreo cookies into the bowl of a food processor and blend until crumbs form. Add melted butter and pour over the crushed cookies. Process until evenly moistened. Press cookie mixture with the back of the spoon or fingers into the bottom and edges of a rectangular 5×14 inch tart pan. Freeze until you prepare the filling, just for few minutes.
• In a small saucepan, place cream over medium-low heat for a few minutes to get hot. No boiling or simmering needed. Remove from heat, pour over chopped chocolate and let rest for 1-2 minutes. Stir until dissolved.
• Pour chocolate filling over Oreo crust, and top with fresh strawberries.
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight before serving.

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