New Lennox Illuminations

The Challenge : 

Christmas in the Commons takes place at the heart of the Village Commons, a public space heavily visited during the holiday season. The event combines walk-through light displays, a holiday market, family activities, synthetic ice skating, Santa photo moments and community gatherings. The site already had a strong visual signature with a 36 ft illuminated Santa, which had become an expected landmark for residents and returning visitors.

The challenge was to introduce a spectacular new figure without weakening this continuity. Floyd had to complement the existing installation, create a sense of surprise and support local communication capable to build anticipation before the opening, then establishing a new visitor ritual.

• Respect New Lenox’s festive identity.
• Create a natural dialogue with the existing illuminated Santa.
• Build a highly visible entrance landmark.
• Encourage photos, social sharing and repeat visits.
• Ensure reliable design, international shipping and installation.
• Guarantee strength, safety and ease of public-space assembly.

The complexity therefore lay not only in scale, but also in use: turning a playful idea into a durable illuminated landmark, consistent with the event, technically controlled and distinctive enough to become a new shared community character.

The Solution

Leblanc Illuminations developed a tailor-made response that combines creative design, LED engineering, European manufacturing and logistical expertise. The objective was not simply to produce a monumental decoration, but to design a character able to live in public space, be instantly understood and withstand the requirements of a highly visible municipal event.

The preparatory work focused on proportion, nighttime presence, visibility from the Commons entrance, Artistic Holiday Designs’ expectations and the constraints of shipping to Illinois in the United States. Several design iterations enaibled fine-tune Floyd to the end client’s expectations with lasting operational and technical precision.

• Design of a 36 ft illuminated penguin.
• Integration of 38,186 professional LEDs.
• Visual balance with the existing Santa landmark.
• Adaptation of the design for photos and thevisitor welcome.
• Manufacturing is planned for secure international transport.
• Simplified assembly using Leblanc manufacturing techniques.

This approach connected creativity, operational efficiency and lasting emotional impact. Floyd was conceived as a reusable seasonal asset, instantly identifiable by day and night, and carrying real image value for the destination.

The Results

 Installed at the entrance to the Village Commons for the 2025 season, Floyd renewed the arrival experience and enriched New Lenox’s festive story. His size, accessible character and luminous intensity made him a meeting point, a family photo opportunity and a naturally attractive topic for local and regional media during the public launch. 

• A new Christmas icon for to the visitors.
• A more memorable visitor experience.
• A highly visible welcome landmark.
• Successful continuity with the giant Santa.
• Stronger media visibility around the project.
• A reusable asset for future seasons.

 For the municipality, Floyd delivers lasting value: he refreshes an already established event, strengthens the village’s winter identity and gives families a concrete reason to return. For Artistic Holiday Designs, the project confirms Leblanc Illuminations’ ability to deliver ambitious, reliable and easily installable custom creations, from design through final installation, while creating a reference for other cities.