Wilson Phillips, the trio behind the 1990 smash "Hold On," is set to bring singalong nostalgia to Jefferson Parish’s Uncle Sam Jam at Lafreniere Park on Friday, July 3. The free, family-friendly festival returns to the Al Copeland Concert Meadow with live music, local food vendors and a fireworks finale. Gates open in the afternoon, and organizers say fireworks will follow the headliner’s set around 9 p.m.
According to NOLA, the five-time Grammy-nominated group will top the bill, with Nashville DJ Slim McGraw slated to perform before the fireworks and singer Tom Waite and Louisiana cover band Bird also on the lineup. The Jefferson Parish tourism office’s event page confirms the location at Lafreniere Park and notes that admission to the Concert Meadow is free, while VIP and parking passes will be sold for those who want guaranteed parking and closer viewing. Organizers say the evening is scheduled to run into the night, closing with a fireworks show after the headliner finishes.
Who’s Producing the Party
The event is produced by Buisson Creative, a New Orleans–area agency that runs several parish festivals, and is directed in coordination with the Jefferson Convention & Visitors Bureau. Parish records show the event receives direct council support; an amendment in council documents allocates $200,000 toward Uncle Sam Jam planning, a subsidy organizers say helps keep the show free to the public. That mix of public funding and private sponsorships has been central to the event’s long run.
Tickets, VIPs and Getting There
Gates open at 3 p.m., and the parish’s event page lists a BMW-branded Stars & Stripes VIP pass for $100 and limited general parking for $20, with VIP packages including inside-the-gates parking, four VIP wristbands and premium viewing, per Visit Jefferson Parish. Free parking with shuttle service will also be available at the Shrine on Airline, and organizers advise buying parking passes in advance because on-site spaces are limited. Local sponsors, including LCMC Health and BMW, help underwrite the event’s costs, according to NOLA. For more details on set times, parking and prohibited items, see the parish’s event page.
About Wilson Phillips
Wilson Phillips, made up of Carnie Wilson, Wendy Wilson and Chynna Phillips, exploded onto the charts in 1990 with a multi-platinum debut and the No. 1 single "Hold On." The trio has been nominated for five Grammy Awards, per GRAMMY.com, and their harmonies remain a reliable draw at summer festivals. They previously appeared at Uncle Sam Jam in 2021, when local coverage noted weather-tested crowds still turned out for their set, as reported by WDSU.
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