Some neighbors and neighborhoods wade into the pool of seasonal cheer. Then some dive straight into the deep end, head first.
The latter would be Liz Simmons and Hollywood Heights. If you’ve never experienced Electric Lizzyland, well, you have not experienced the true spirit of Christmas.
When I moved to Hollywood Heights in 1990, people went pretty all out at Christmas. But it was not until Liz Simmons moved into the ‘hood a few years later that the elves came out of hiding, and celebrating the season became a lot sweeter and a lot more glittery!
Liz Simmons is a Self-Made Elf
Simmons makes everything you see herself, and there is something new to discover each year.
“I have things that pop into my head. I woke up one year at 2 in the morning and said I’m going to make dioramas. Then I wanted a taxidermy rat. Things hit me, and there I go.”
One year Simmons wanted some cool candy canes. She did the PVC thing with red duct tape and then thought, “What if I made them out of wood and with glitter?” Out came the jigsaw, and the world of glitter took shape.
In 2016 she created large panels with an enormous amount of glitter and added them to the exterior of her home. “I think the glitter panels bumped things up,” Simmons said. “There is always something more, Simmons said. “I never finish.”
It’s not easy, not by a long shot. Simmons starts in October and launches the latest display at the neighborhood holiday party. The day after, she opens it up to the public, and the lights are on each evening until Christmas.
Electric Lizzyland is The Icing on The Christmas Cookie
Electric Lizzyland is the proverbial icing on the Christmas cookie. To fund the party and help with supplies, Simmons offers Lighty-Uppy Christmas trees and snow folks for neighbors to rent and add to their holiday displays.
On the night of the party and the first lighting of Electric Lizzyland, the neighbors also put out luminaria, and carolers stroll the streets. The luminarias are a neighborhood association fundraiser and the brainchild of Janet Stegner.
Riverside Avondale Preservation in Stegner’s former historic neighborhood in Jacksonville, Florida, does a luminaria fundraiser. When she moved to Hollywood Heights, she felt something was missing and joined the board specifically to start the luminaria tradition here.
“It was the joy of my childhood,” Stegner said. “It’s more about being with your neighbors, walking around together, and enjoying the lights.”
You can enjoy Electric Lizzyland in Hollywood Heights at 714 Newell for a few more nights. Weather permitting, they are on from 6 to about 8:30 p.m. It’s a free event, and Simmons has only a few sensible rules:
Yes, you can (and should) get out of your car! Park somewhere on the street – please be respectful of our other neighbors. You will probably get the best experience by walking through and looking up close.
PLEASE. DO. NOT. TOUCH. ANYTHING. This is very important. Please do not let your children touch anything. Please feel free to remind others of this rule if you see them about to touch anything.
Take as many pictures as you want!
Liz Simmons
