Monday, June 2, 2025

The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar
The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar
The Official Student News Media of Southeastern Louisiana University

The Lion's Roar
Guests view a vendor's booth in Downtown Hammond during Starry November Night in 2019 while drinking hot chocolate.

Starry November Night brings family fun back to Downtown

Brynn Lundy, Copy Editor • November 17, 2021

Starry November Night is coming back to downtown Hammond on Nov. 19 after a two-year pandemic hiatus.   The community expected a summer celebration in the form of Hot August Night, but a rise in COVID...

The space behind the Downtown Development District, located on W. Thomas Street next to the railroad tracks, is going to be repurposed. The DDD has been hosting public interest meetings in order to come up with a plan for the space.

Hammond Downtown Development District to revamp public space on W. Thomas Street

Brynn Lundy, Staff Reporter • November 18, 2020

The Hammond Downtown Development District has allocated funds and is currently developing a plan called the “Urban Park Project” to renovate and improve the public space behind the district’s headquarters. Located...

Tyler Kinchen & The Right Pieces is an R&B band out of the southeast Louisiana area. They performed at the Cate Street Park gazebo in Hammond for “Picnic in the Park,” an event hosted by the Hammond Downtown Development District.

Downtown Hammond enjoys live music while social distancing

Brynn Lundy, Staff Reporter • September 30, 2020

The Hammond Downtown Development District hosted “Picnic in the Park,” an outdoor live concert event open to guests of all ages in Cate Square Park on Friday, Sept. 25. Attendees were encouraged to...

Downtown Development District will be hosting a month-long event called "Hot August Month" to support local merchants. The event will begin with "Downtown Chalk Walk" on Saturday, August 8 and will continue with themed weeks to support establishments.

Downtown Hammond introduces “Hot August Month”

Symiah Dorsey, Staff Reporter • July 21, 2020

In an effort to support local merchants while enforcing social distancing, the Hammond Downtown Development District has created an extended alternative to “Hot August Night.” This year, “Hot...

Young attendees enjoy the downtown Hammond lights and faux snow during the 2014 Starry November Night.

Hammond prepares for Starry November Night

Brynn Lundy, Staff Reporter • November 12, 2019

The time for Downtown Hammond’s annual winter tradition is just around the corner. Hammond Downtown Development District will host its 15th annual family-friendly event Starry November Night on Friday,...

Summer Veatch, right, from Candlestick Bakery, believes that the best part of being a vendor is talking with the customers.

Farmers markets on the rise

Maiah Woodring, Staff Reporter • April 16, 2019

Vendors at the local Hammond Farmers Market reported seeing more attendees at their booths compared to previous years. The growth of farmers markets has gained national attention too. According to a study...

Amanda Fekete sells produce for the Joe Fekete Family Farm at Downtown Development District’s weekly farmers market. The farmers market committee handles music and activities for the event every Saturday.

Join a committee, change a community

Zachary Araki, Assistant Editor • April 2, 2019

Through six committees, the Hammond Downtown Development District provides an opportunity for anyone to participate in decisions concerning their community. The DDD includes the design committee, merchant...

At orientation, incoming students and their parents can check in with their orientation leader and color group before getting started on the rest of the day’s activities. Although every university will hold an orientation, their processes may differ.

Stand out with the first step

Zachary Araki, Assistant Editor • February 19, 2019

As universities promote themselves as unique, one of the first differences incoming students experience lies in how these institutions welcome them. According to Anthony Ranatza, director of admissions,...

Attendees of this year’s “Starry November Night” could enjoy pictures with Santa, train rides and local vendors in downtown Hammond.

A ‘Starry November Night’ downtown

Johnathan Zeringue, Staff Reporter • November 19, 2018

“Starry November Night” brings the community together to celebrate the season of giving. Each November, Hammond and surrounding areas come together to kick off the magic of the holiday season on...

Introducing Santa, Elsa and wine

Jacob Summerville, Staff Reporter • November 12, 2018

Downtown Hammond will start to take on a holly jolly Christmas flair this November. Hosted by the Downtown Development District, the 14th annual “Starry November Night” will take place on Nov. 16...

“Hot August Night” allows artists like Kelly Boyett to show off her creative skills by capturing a scene in the Art Alley.

What to know for the 23rd ‘Hot August Night’

Zachary Araki, A&E Editor • July 23, 2018

Every year, the Hammond Downtown Development District brings together the community and showcases local work. Scheduled for Friday, Aug. 24, the 23rd annual “Hot August Night” will promote what...

Musician Nathaniel Bauerle, right, performs on the streets of Hammond during the 2017 “Hot August Night.”

Events celebrating the arts and culture in Hammond

Zachary Araki, A&E Editor • July 23, 2018

Culture and appreciation for the arts can be found throughout Hammond. The university is holding an art workshop for children from July 9-19 taught by Associate Professor of Art Education Kim Finley-Stansbury....

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