Hammond
Around Hammond
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Metro area · Louisiana · 139k people
Hammond
Locals say Tangipahoa Parish · “The City of Friendship”, “Strawberry Capital”
Small‑town charm, big strawberry flavor.
Southeastern Louisiana University greenSoutheastern Louisiana University gold
Welcome to Tangipahoa Parish! Home of the sweetest strawberries and the best crawfish boils. Get ready to enjoy small-town charm, college spirit, and the laid-back rhythm of Louisiana.
Clubs for Hammond
No clubs for Hammond yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Hammond. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Hammond. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Southeastern Louisiana University Home of the Lions
- Strawberry Stadium Football stadium on campus
- Columbia Theatre for the Performing Arts Historic theater in downtown Hammond
- Hammond Regional Arts Center Gallery and art classes
- Tangipahoa River Popular for kayaking and fishing
- Ponchatoula Depot Historic train station now a museum
- Outdoors Pick strawberries at local farms
- Outdoors Kayak the Tangipahoa River
- With kids Pick strawberries at local farms
- With kids Visit the Louisiana Children's Discovery Center
- Evenings Catch a show at the Columbia Theatre
- Evenings Bar-hop near Southeastern campus
- Locals love Strawberry farms
- Locals love Antique shops
Through the year
- Ponchatoula Strawberry Festival April Celebrates the strawberry harvest with food, music, and crafts
- Amite Oyster Festival October Showcases local oysters with live music and vendors
- Tangipahoa Parish Fair October County fair with rides, livestock, and local exhibits
- Hammond Jazz & Blues Festival September Local and regional musicians perform in downtown Hammond
- Southeastern Fanfare October Performing arts series at the university
Subtropical climate with long, hot summers and short, mild winters. Rain is common year-round. Best: Spring (March–May) and fall (October–November) are ideal for outdoor activities.
Getaways
- Bogalusa Small-town charm and the Bogue Chitto River
- Baton Rouge State capital with LSU and museums
- Slidell Gateway to the Gulf Coast and honey island swamp
- New Orleans Big city vibes, food, and music
Local flavour
Teams
- Southeastern Louisiana Lions NCAA Division I
Also rooting for New Orleans Saints (NFL), New Orleans Pelicans (NBA), LSU Tigers (NCAA)
Eat and drink
- Strawberry shortcake Made with local Ponchatoula strawberries
- Crawfish boils Seasonal community gatherings
- Ponchatoula strawberries The region's signature crop
Where people go
- Strawberry farms Fields that turn red in spring
- Antique shops Especially in Ponchatoula's historic district
- Crawfish ponds Where the season's catch is boiled
Heritage and traditions
Tangipahoa Parish is proud of its strawberry heritage, small-town charm, and the blend of Italian, French, and Southern cultures that make it a unique corner of the Florida Parishes.
This time of year in Hammond
- Hunting season Fall Deer and duck hunting are traditions.
- Ponchatoula Antique Street Fair Spring and Fall A bi-annual street fair with antiques, crafts, and live music in historic downtown Ponchatoula.
Say it like a local: “y'all” — You all
Festivals
- Independence Italian Cultural Festival March Celebrates the Sicilian roots of Independence with Italian food, music, and a parade.
- Ponchatoula Antique Street Fair Spring and Fall A bi-annual street fair with antiques, crafts, and live music in historic downtown Ponchatoula.
Landmarks with a story
- St. Alphonsus Catholic Church Built by Italian immigrants in Independence, it remains a center of the local Italian community.
- Amite City Historic District A collection of 19th-century buildings reflecting the area's railroad and agricultural past.
- Tangipahoa Parish Courthouse The seat of parish government in Amite, dating from the late 1800s.
- Louisiana Strawberry Museum Celebrates the history of strawberry farming in the region, located in Ponchatoula.
- Hammond Historic District Features early 20th-century architecture from the railroad era.
Food traditions
- Italian red gravy and sausage Brought by Sicilian immigrants to Independence, a staple at family dinners and the Italian Festival.
- Strawberry pie Made from locally grown Ponchatoula strawberries, a springtime treat.
Music and arts
- Blues and jazz scene Hammond has a lively blues and jazz tradition, celebrated at the annual Hammond Jazz & Blues Festival.
- Italian folk music Preserved by the Italian community in Independence, with performances at cultural events.
- Southeastern Louisiana University music program Trains musicians and hosts concerts, contributing to the local arts.
A little history
- 1810 West Florida Rebellion
- 1854 Railroad arrival
- Early 1900s Sicilian immigration to Independence
- 1925 Founding of Southeastern Louisiana University
- 1900s Strawberry industry boom
Rivalries
- Southeastern Lions vs. Nicholls State Colonels Southland Conference football rivalry
- Hammond High vs. Ponchatoula High Local high school football rivalry
- Game day Southeastern Louisiana Lions football
- Game day High school football on Friday nights
- Outdoors Hunting deer in the piney woods
- Outdoors Fishing for bass in the Tickfaw River
- With kids Catching crawfish in the ditches
- With kids Playing in the piney woods
People speak with a mild Southern drawl, influenced by French and Italian immigrants. Common phrases include 'y'all' and 'lagniappe' (a little extra).
Only here
- Ponchatoula is known as the 'Antique Capital of Louisiana' and the 'Strawberry Capital of the World.'
- Independence hosts the largest Italian festival in Louisiana.
- The area is part of the Florida Parishes, which were briefly an independent republic in 1810.
- Kentwood is the hometown of Britney Spears, and the water tower is a local landmark.
New here? A few tips
- Be prepared for hot, humid summers; stay hydrated and use sunscreen.
- Learn to pronounce 'Ponchatoula' (Pon-cha-TOO-la) and 'Tangipahoa' (Tan-juh-puh-HOE-uh).
- Try the strawberries in spring and the Italian food in Independence.
- Attend the Italian Festival in March to experience the local culture.
- A car is essential; the area is rural and spread out.
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Part of Baton Rouge area
Nearby
Every areaBogalusaLouisianaWhere the piney woods whisper Louisiana stories.Baton RougeLouisianaWhere the Mississippi bends and the crawfish boil.NorthshoreLouisianaLake breezes, piney woods, and good food.New OrleansLouisianaWhere life moves to a jazz beatPicayuneMississippiWhere the pines meet the PearlMcCombMississippiWhere the pines meet southern hospitalityHouma–ThibodauxLouisianaCajun soul on the bayouMorgan CityLouisianaCajun culture, fresh off the boat.
Hammond, LA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.