JEANERETTE — Now that Christmas season is in high gear, many people may stop to notice the places and things that come together to make this time of year special. 

One particular tradition that has caught the attention of passersby and helped usher in the Christmas spirit has been the lights and music at David Landry’s home in rural St. Mary Parish near Jeanerette. 

The 62-year-old restaurateur is a loving husband, father and grandfather who shares his front yard with everyone traveling U.S. 90. The grand display is there for all to see.

“This is how I identify myself now when people ask me where I live. I say, ‘The house that has the Christmas lights,’ ” Landry said. 

Inspired by a Christmas television program that featured Christmas decorations and the thought that his granddaughter, Ava Grace Landry, 10, might love to see such a display, Landry became a man with a vision. 

“I started this four years ago. The first year I did it, it took me all year to program the lights on my computer,” said Landry, who is married to Grace Landry. They have two adult sons, David Landry Jr. and Chris Landry. 

Those who visit the Landry home set back from the frontage road along U.S. 90 near Landry’s Seafood and Steakhouse Restaurant will see 250,000 synchronized lights this year compared to 200,000 in December 2016. They also can tune into 104.5 FM, a low-frequency radio station that has a satellite that spans the block so onlookers can hear the music and see the lights dance to them. It’s an idea this Christmas enthusiast got from the internet. 

“I read a lot of the forums on Christmas decorating. It tells what people are doing around the country,” Landry said.

Now that the Landry tradition has gained interest from near and far, there exists an anticipation among the community each year. 

“We expect this every year and to be bigger and better,” Kirsten Lewis of Jeanerette said. 

Lewis brought a back seat full of elementary school children to see the light show. She said she hopes the smiles on their faces are enough to keep the Landry tradition going. 

“They couldn’t wait they’ve been asking me all week, when are we going to go see the lights,” Lewis said. 

Even those outside the Iberia Parish area are aware of Landry’s light show and have come to see for themselves.

 “We were passing through picking up my daughter from Metairie. We live in Scott. Knowing the time and effort it must take to be involved in something like this I wouldn’t blame him if he stopped but I hope he doesn’t,” Damon Hebert said.

As for Landry, he said the idea of ending his yearly effort has crossed his mind but then he remembers the joy of seeing children delighted by his effort. 

“It looks like I might have to keep it going. I am already thinking about next year. I want to expand it I have plenty of ideas,” he said.

Landry’s cousins and neighbors have joined in on the fun by selling hot chocolate and treats at their house next door and making a sign in white lights that reads: “DITTO.” 

His only comrade in helping put up the display itself is his nephew Slade Landry, who has been a faithful assistant these last four years. 

Landry, who owns Landry’s Cajun Seafood and Steakhouse Restaurant in New Iberia, said when he sits back to view the fruit of his labor it’s all worth it, the hard work and intricate detail that goes into the Christmas lights tradition. 

“The best compliment isn’t the words people say but when a song finishes and the people applaud. That’s what I love to hear,” he said.