Why do you press harder on the buttons of the remote control when you know the batteries are dead? You know you do it!

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Live entertainment, great food and drinks, art displays, and more await you in Slidell’s historic old town district when the Olde Towne Alive block party kicks off the spring season this Friday from 6-9 p.m. Admission is free. The highlight of the evening will be the grand opening of the Slidell City Council and Administrative Center, which will open at 6 p.m. with guided tours. At 7 p.m., Slidell Mayor Ben Morris, elected officials, and distinguished guests will join the East St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce for a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Live music during the event features the following:

• Redline on stage at the corner of Erlanger and First streets

• Overboard on the Antique Row Stage at the corner of Fremaux and First streets

• Redfish Blues Band on the City Hall Stage at the corner of Bouscaren and Second streets

Art and historical displays will be featured at the following:

• Slidell Museum

• Antique Row

• Slidell Cultural Center

• Marie Ricca’s 2100 Front Street Gallery

• Dubuisson Gallery

Our Lady of Lourdes will host its annual Friday Fish Fry in Olde Towne that evening. And Sunrise on Second, Tacos and Beer, Times Bar & Grill, Abigail’s, and Counter Culture will also be serving specialties. Motorists beware: For the safety and convenience of the block party attendees, performers, and other participants, a two-block stretch of First Street – from Bouscaren to Erlanger and Erlanger to Fremaux – will be closed to traffic from 4:30-9 p.m. And Second Street from Erlanger to Bouscaren will be closed as well.

Got questions? Phone Catherine Olivier at 646-4322.

Terry Maddox is the publisher of St. Tammany News.