Concert, car show set for Saturday

The word has spread, and people are excited about a Saturday concert and car show, organizers said this week.

Hailed as the first Outreach Festival, the event is a combination of music concert featuring hip-hop and rap and a car show.

The concert is called the “Bogalusa 1st Annual Summer Jam” and the automobile show is the “985 Car Show.”

Both will be held at Cassidy Park, with the concert going from noon to 8 p.m., and the car show from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. The event is free, and organizers encourage families to attend.

There will be food, and for the children, inflatable water slides, space walks and face-painting. No alcohol is permitted.

“We’re looking for a good turnout,” said co-organizer Jonathan Peters. “Everybody can come — mom, dad and the kids.”

Peters and musician D-Star did much of the organizing of the event, and say it’s a first for Bogalusa.

“The city is excited,” said D-Star, a 28-year-old rapper and hip-hop artist. “They can’t wait. It’s the countdown.”

Both Peters and D-Star, whose real name is Tracus Sartin, are from Bogalusa and wanted to give something back to community. That’s why the event is free to attend.

“It ain’t all about the money. It’s about the community,” D-Star said.

The event will kick off at noon in Cassidy Park with a speech from City Councilman Michael O’Ree, organizers said. Live gospel music, featuring Voices of Joy, Celia-Jae and Gloria Kates will go on from noon to 1 p.m. A children’s talent show will be on stage from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m., and dance teams will perform from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. DJ’s will select tunes from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m.

At 4 p.m., the hip-hop and rap musicians will perform. They include: D-Star, Blood Brothers, Triple Threat, C-Style, Killa Q, Lil Slugga and the headliner, Bo National, a rapper from Tangiboa Parish. All told, there are about 15 different acts, Peters said. Raffles and prizes will be given away throughout the day. Those interested in signing up for the children’s talent show, which is open to school-aged children, should call D-Star by the end of today. Talents are not limited to singing or dancing, he said. D-Star can be reached at (985) 710-0024. The car show has a $25 entrance fee, and participants have until 2 p.m. Saturday to register, which they can do at Cassidy Park. For more information about the car show, call (504) 376-5193. For more information about the concert, call (318) 294-8881.