If event date is less than now, show foo. If event date is greater than now, show bar

I have an events page on my website and I run a event bar at the top of my header showing the latest event. I'm trying to figure out how to write this correctly.

If the event has not happened I want to show it. If the event has already happened I do not want to show the event.

CODE:

<?php //SELECT QUERY...
    foreach($events->results() as $e):
$now = "now()";
    if($e->event_date <= $now){?>   
        <h1>Show Event</h1>

<?php } 
    elseif($e->event_date > $now){ ?>
        <h1>DON'T Show Event</h1>
<?php
}
    endforeach;

So basicly if the event's timestamp is less than or equal to the upcoming event, I want it to show.

If the event's timestamp is greater than the current date and time of the event, I do not want it to show.