Christmas Lights in Lafreniere Park - 2022 Program

IN L A FRENIER E P A RK

Jefferson Parish, LA

DECEMBER 2 –30, 2022

Lighting Up Lafreniere

It might seem like Lafreniere Park’s annual transformation into a dazzling winter wonderland could only be the work of holiday magic, but in reality, it takes the work of several real-life elves–artists, craftsmen, lighting experts and more–to make the tradition come alive every year.

One of the key players in maintaining and growing the iconic attraction is John Hayes, who has contributed his vision and imagination to the project for more than two decades.

“I have been working for Jefferson Parish for 32 years and have been doing Christmas lights at the park for the past 28 years,” Hayes says. “I always loved drawing and creating things, but when I had the opportunity to work together with Paul Clark and create new Christmas figures of our own choosing, it just blew up. We turned my little pictures and sketches into 15-ft. to 40-ft. figures that make children and adults smile ear-to-ear when they see them for the first time, and hopefully they come back every year to see them again.”

The impressive lights show is no small feat: over 10 million LED lights go into the

elaborate decorations, which showcase familiar favorites like Hello Kitty and Hot Wheels, as well as a mythical Sea Serpent, a magical castle, and iconic holiday characters including Santa, gingerbread men, nutcrackers, elves and more.

“Even now, it makes my hair stand up when we flip the switch,” Hayes says. “And to watch everyone’s faces, it makes me proud to be a part of. A few of my all-time favorites are the Floating Pirate ship and Sea Serpent, the Ferris Wheel, and a Frozen theme—and a new surprise for this year that the parents will enjoy the most.”

With attendance growing steadily every year, Hayes and Lafreniere Park leadership are tasked with meeting demand–and topping the previous year’s showcase–on an annual basis. Luckily, they don’t have to do it alone.

“Myself and Paul Clark are the main creators, but we have a few more elves that make all this possible,” says Hayes. “Ronald Tew, Stephen Accardo, Jeff Mumphrey, David Frey, Michael Couch, Brandon Ramirez and Raymond Johnson

— they help with rope lighting the figures that we make and also help with setup and tear down of the Christmas displays.

“But it’s a lot bigger than just us. Since Al Copeland donated his light display to the park in 2009, the Recreation Department took over the task of maintaining and installing the display that stretches along the roads and into the parking lots. They also have some talented employees, like Justin Mayeux, who created great figures of their own and expanded their displays more than two times what they started with. They recreated a Star Wars display, the Minions and a superhero theme, to name a few.”

In addition, Hayes sends his thanks to several other partners who “go above and

beyond to make Christmas a huge success.” Those are Kyle Beske, Kris Christoffel, Anthony Corpora, Ramon Jackson (Buck), Sidney Watkins, James Behne, Cornelius Lathers, Trey Martinez and Maverick Charles.

Hayes says it takes a village–or rather, an enchanted workshop full of highly skilled elves–to make the Holiday Lights Display bigger and better every year, but the challenge is always worth the reward.

“This is my favorite time of year; that never gets old,” Hayes says. “I cannot wait to see all the kids and adults come out to enjoy everything we have worked very hard on throughout the year, and for years to come.”

A Copeland Christmas The Beginning of a Tradition

Popeye’s, Copeland’s, Copeland’s Cheesecake Bistro. These might be your first thoughts when considering Al Copeland, Sr.’s contributions to local culture, but the prolific entrepreneur was also responsible for another enduring tradition: the Lafreniere Christmas Lights.

Copeland began curating a display of vibrant and colorful holiday lights in his own Metairie yard in 1974. The first iteration included a towering 15-ft. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer and an even taller illuminated snowman, but as spectacular as those lights were, they were a modest start to what would eventually become a local holiday phenomenon. The assembly grew steadily every year, and in its hey -

day, the display was complete with Santa’s sleigh and all nine reindeer, a towering Christmas tree, a crew of nutcrackers, angels and a gleaming North Star perched on top of the Copeland mansion.

The display (and public interest) grew so large that families hoping to drive by the Folse Drive home for a look at the gleaming wonderland would wait in traffic for hours until they could be directed through the neighborhood by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office. National recognition from outlets like the Today show, which ranked the display in the top three of its 2003 house decoration competition, only generated more interested

Eventually, long lines of traffic and

heavy pedestrian activity caused neighbors to seek legal action against Copeland, who was ordered to scale down the display. However, the Christmas lights tradition endured, and Copeland was known to stand in his front yard, welcoming guests with treats and toys and spreading holiday cheer as people drove by.

“The lights were a dynamic extension of our dad’s personality for the holiday season,” says Al Copeland, Jr. “They were extravagant, as well as controversial. They expressed his love for family, the holiday and sharing his good fortune with the community.”

After Copeland, Sr. died in 2008, the newly established Al Copeland Foun -

dation donated the lights to Lafreniere Park so the tradition could endure. While the park’s display has since reached an unprecedented scale thanks to the handiwork and ingenuity of park and parish employees, Al’s vision of creating the biggest and best holiday display continues to inspire the yearly yuletide extravaganza.

“It is important to me and my family to honor my dad’s legacy, by continuing to share with the community, something he enjoyed so much, and was proud to display,” says Copeland, Jr. “Creating joy and bringing the holiday spirit to families, especially young children, meant so much to him, and Lafreniere Park has done a great job expanding on this tradition.”

Amenities

SPORTS

Soccer/Multi-Use Fields

Five multi-use fields primarily used for soccer

FIFA Soccer Complex

FIFA certified professional Soccer Complex with quality turf fields

Healthtrack

Two-mile track with two warm-up areas

Disc Golf Area

Free 21-hole disc course

RECREATIONAL

Bark Park

Five-acre park sectioned for large dogs and small dogs

Marsh Island

A redeveloped and preserved marshland with views of natural vegetation and animal life.

Singing Oaks

A peaceful area of the Park where you can enjoy the numerous donated Wind Chimes.

Open Meadow

A large open area with a performance stage for outdoor events.

Carousel

A whimsical ride featuring 30 moving horses, a tiger, a zebra and two chariots.

Spray Park

A 4,000-sqft. area with 13 water features.

MEETING AND PARTY FACILITIES

Foundation Center

Indoor building space for special events equipped with a small kitchen and fantastic park views. Features outdoor patio garden.

Shelters

Shelters of varying sizes for groups between 10-70 people. Includes BBQ pits, water and electricity.

Christmas

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