Established in 1825, Jefferson Parish was named in honor of America’s third president and author of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson, commemorating his role in
purchasing the Louisiana territory from France in 1803. This year, Jefferson Parish marks its 200th anniversary with a number of events to celebrate everything that makes the region unique.
A Bit of History
But first, a bit of history. Jefferson Parish originally extended from present day Felicity Street in New Orleans to the St. Charles Parish line. The present boundaries, which were set in 1874, reach from Orleans Parish to the east and a little past Kenner to the west, reaching all the way down to the Gulf of Mexico. With a total area of 665 square miles, a majority of the parish consists of water — making it a perfect place to enjoy the activities that make Louisiana a “Sportsman’s Paradise.”
The Mississippi River bisects the parish into two parts (the East Bank and the West Bank). The East Bank is generally north of the Mississippi River and consists primarily of Metairie and Jefferson (both unincorporated areas) and Kenner and Harahan (both incorporated cities). The West Bank, located south of the Mississippi River, consists of the unincorporated areas of Marrero, Harvey, Terrytown, Crown Point, Lafitte and Waggaman, and the incorporated areas of Gretna, Westwego and Jean Lafitte. The incorporated Town of Grand Isle, located on a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico, forms the parish’s southernmost boundary.
Over the past 200 years, Jefferson Parish has grown from a rural area into a dynamic and diverse suburb that is now home to nearly 440,000 residents. “Jefferson Parish has such a strong residential base, which brings about the advantages of a suburb, but we also have strong retail, industrial and commercial areas as well,” said Jefferson Parish President, Cynthia Lee Sheng.
According to Christine Briede, executive director of the Jefferson Community Foundation (a nonprofit community foundation), Jefferson Parish shares a close connection to New Orleans in terms of the food scene and cultural celebrations. “While both areas are renowned for their food, music and festivals, Jefferson Parish offers a more laid-back lifestyle, while still maintaining easy access to all that New Orleans has to offer,” she said. “It’s known for its vibrant multicultural heritage, shaped by French, Spanish, African and Native American influences. The parish is home to both urban and suburban communities, making it a blend of city living and quieter residential areas.”
Some of the standout features in Jefferson Parish include the Huey P. Long Bridge (one of America’s highest and longest steel bridges, it connects the East Bank and the West Bank), the Causeway Bridge (one of the longest bridges in the world), Lakeside Mall (celebrating its 65th anniversary this year), Lafreniere Park, the 10-acre Hope Haven campus in Marrero, the Gretna Historic District, the McDonoghville Historic District, the Ochsner Sports Performance Center (the Saints and Pelicans training facility) and the Jefferson Performing Arts Center.
“The Westwego Farmers Market is another great spot, as it reflects the region’s agricultural roots and provides locals with fresh, homegrown produce,” Briede said. “We are also fortunate to have three state parks: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve; Bayou Segnette State Park; and Grand Isle State Park. Jefferson Parish is known for outdoor adventures, like swamp tours, fishing, hiking and camping.”
Bicentennial Celebrations
While Feb. 11 marked the official bicentennial, the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce and the Jefferson Community Foundation are working together — with Sheng leading the charge — to organize a number of celebratory events throughout the year. According to Ruth Lawson, president of the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce (and co-chair of the Bicentennial Business Committee alongside Jerry Bologna, president and CEO of the Jefferson Economic Development Commission), numerous committees are creating community events, local initiatives and projects to instill a sense of pride for Jefferson Parish.
“This is a truly special milestone for Jefferson Parish, a community that has positioned itself to be the economic engine for the entire region,” Bologna said. “For 200 years, Jefferson Parish’s diverse industry base, geographic accessibility and cultural richness have blended seamlessly to create an environment where businesses and their employees want to be. As a destination for global business and a hub for innovation, Jefferson Parish is poised for more growth, more investment, more opportunities and more to celebrate as we enter the bicentennial.”
To kick off the celebration, the Jefferson Chamber Foundation joined forces with the Jefferson Community Foundation to commission a bicentennial poster by local artist Becky Fos. The 22-by-32-inch poster, which was unveiled at the Chamber’s State of Jefferson lunch last October, captures the spirit of Jefferson Parish. Most proceeds will benefit the Jefferson Community Foundation.
The celebrations began in December with a special “Light the Night” bicentennial display at Christmas in the Park at Lafrenière Park. Other special events that have already taken place included the Kick-Off to Carnival party with the Jefferson Parish Citizen’s Affairs Department on Feb. 11 at Lakeside Shopping Center and a community-wide king cake party on Feb. 15 at Lafrenière Park.
Coming up, a Jefferson Parish Senior Expo (featuring more than 100 exhibitor booths) will take place on March 20 at the Pontchartrain Center. On March 22, a Bicentennial Park-to-Park 10K race (beginning at LaSalle Park and finishing at Lafrenière Park) will be followed by the Bicentennial Bash Post-Race Party, featuring live music, local cuisine and family-friendly activities.
The headlining event — the Bicentennial Ball, benefiting the Jefferson Community Foundation — will be held on June 14 (from 6-11 p.m.) at Lakeside Shopping Center. “The biggest key to making this a successful event was working with Brian Lade to secure Lakeside Shopping Center as the venue,” said Lynda Nugent Smith, chairman of the ball for Jefferson Community Foundation. “It has many thousands of square feet, it’s renovated, there’s plenty of parking and it’s centrally located,” she said.
The ball will include a patron party from 6-7 p.m. at Arhaus with entertainment, specialty drinks and other surprises. The Bicentennial Ball, starting at 7 p.m., will include three large stages: one near Dillard’s, featuring Deacon John followed by Irma Thomas; the main dance stage near Macy’s, featuring The Yat Pack followed by Sister Sledge; and another near the middle of the shopping center, featuring a candlelight orchestra that will introduce LeAnn Rimes. A smaller stage will feature a jazz quartet and The Victory Belles. Other special touches include “cigarette girls” who will be passing out cannolis, an auction and plenty of decorations in red, white and blue (in honor of Flag Day, also on June 14). “We are asking the women to wear red, white or blue gowns, and the men to wear summer attire such as seersucker or light-colored suits and patriotic ties,” Smith said.
“Attendees can expect a beautifully decorated venue, likely inspired by historical themes or iconic elements of Jefferson Parish’s past, creating an atmosphere that pays homage to the parish’s journey from its early days to the present,” Briede said. “The ball will be enhanced with a variety of event experiences and activations, adding immersive and interactive elements to make the evening memorable and engaging.”
While plans continue to unfold and expand for the year, Bicentennial Ball organizers aim to blend elegance, history and community pride. As such, the history of Jefferson Parish and its municipalities will be recognized. And in honor of its 65th anniversary, Lakeside Shopping Center will have a special section at the ball. A cultural forum and a time capsule installation also are in the works.
Abundant dining options also will be available, featuring local cuisine that celebrates the region’s culinary roots. “It is expected that food vendors, restaurants, bars and catering operations will highlight and provide an array of [dishes], including appetizers, main courses, desserts and specialty drinks,” Smith said. “Due to the size of the venue, the variety of food and drink [will] celebrate all cultures [and] will be scattered from one end to the other of [the shopping center’s] vast, beautiful space.”
According to Sheng, Jefferson Parish also will have special bicentennial programming at parish libraries and on Jefferson Parish Government Access Television throughout the year. “Our goal is to have a full 2025 calendar of community events, local initiatives and new projects,” she said.
With increased attention on Jefferson Parish, JEDCO also has launched a new attraction campaign to drive additional investment into the area. “The More Here campaign showcases all the ways that more is possible in Jefferson Parish,” Bologna said. “We’re encouraging current and prospective businesses and residents to discover more, grow more, thrive more and be more here in Jefferson Parish. Our hope is that this campaign will help drive new investment into Jefferson Parish in the coming years in alignment with the Bicentennial.”
Meanwhile, JEDCO and the Jefferson Chamber of Commerce identified a need for a Jefferson Parish Passport that encourages visitors and residents to support local businesses. The passport also gives businesses the opportunity to advertise their products and services at discounted rates or with a special bicentennial rate. “Partnering with [Visit Jefferson], we developed a digital passport that we hope will encourage local business engagement over the next year,” Bologna said. “Beyond that, we plan to highlight some of the community’s oldest businesses and those that are celebrating milestones this year. Finally, we have also been encouraging businesses to make the bicentennial their own. We’d love to see businesses roll out products or specials that tie directly to the bicentennial in some way.”
Smith adds that many restaurants are being asked to create a signature bicentennial dish to highlight throughout 2025. Meanwhile, organizers for the more than 50 festivals that take place in Jefferson Parish each year also are being asked to incorporate the bicentennial into this year’s celebrations. Retailers are being asked to think of bicentennial merchandise to sell. “We want to promote all of our Jefferson Parish businesses and benefit our entire local economy for this year-long celebration,” Sheng said.
Business & Community Involvement
According to Larry Dale, who serves as executive director of the Jefferson Business Council and has lived in Jefferson Parish since the late 1970s, the general consensus among the council’s 70 or so members going into 2025 has been upbeat and forward-thinking. “We have just begun a strategic plan, which will guide our initiatives for the coming years,” he said. “The support from the parish elected officials and departments within are open-minded and helpful, which makes doing business in Jefferson much smoother and robust than in some other areas. JEDCO is a good example of a support organization made up of individuals, businesses and parish [elected officials] that guide new businesses and help get things done in the parish.”
From the visitor’s side of things, Violet Peters, head of tourism at Visit Jefferson Parish, said that the local tourism industry is doing well overall. “The latest numbers show Jefferson Parish tourism is a $2 billion industry accounting for over 21,000 jobs that earn $600 million collectively,” she said. “The bicentennial events and promotions will definitely add to the excitement of visiting Jefferson Parish, and, in turn, add to the economic impact of the hospitality industry.”
Overall, the growth and success that Jefferson Parish has achieved since 1825 is reason enough to celebrate. “Jefferson Parish is rich in culture and history with a population that is warm, inviting, resilient and creative,” Peters said. “As a whole, the bicentennial gives us an opportunity to celebrate what has made us who we are as a community.”
Sheng encourages every person and every business to play a part in the celebration. “We are encouraging members of the public, civic leaders, business owners, churches, schools and community organizations to be a part of this special anniversary by spearheading their own events, activities and programming that help make our bicentennial a year to remember,” she said.
Jefferson Parish celebration and resources
jeffparish.gov/jp200
Also, to add related events and anniversaries
to the bicentennial community calendar.
Purchase the bicentennial poster
jeffparish.gov/jp200
Proceeds benefiting the Jefferson Community Foundation.
Purchase tickets to the Bicentennial Ball
jeffersoncommunity.org/jefferson-parish-bicentennial-ball
Christine T. Briede
Executive Director, Jefferson Community Foundation
Christine Briede, who grew up in Massachusetts, married a local and has now lived in Jefferson Parish for almost 30 years. Almost five years ago, during the start of the COVID-19 lockdowns, she joined the Jefferson Community Foundation. “My role entails nonprofit administration, board development, project management, fundraising, grant-making, communications, marketing and strategic planning,” she said. “I love collaborating with our community partners, other funders and nonprofits. I also love starting with an idea and building it into a project that is transformational for the community.”
Indeed, the Jefferson Community Foundation plays a crucial role in strengthening the community by providing grants, resources and support to local initiatives that improve the lives of residents. “Whether it’s supporting education, health and wellness, or neighborhood revitalization, we are dedicated to addressing community needs and ensuring that Jefferson Parish remains a vibrant and thriving place for all its residents,” Briede said. “The foundation helps to connect local donors with the causes that matter most, which is why we’re such a vital part of the parish’s nonprofit network.”
Briede, who has always felt a calling to improve the lives of others, has a deep belief in the power of community and collaboration. “To me, being a community leader means being a servant to others — putting the needs of the community first and advocating for positive change,” she said. “It’s about fostering relationships, listening to residents and working collaboratively with other leaders, organizations and local businesses to bring about meaningful impact. It is incredibly rewarding to see tangible change happen and to be part of that process.”
Jerry Bologna
President & CEO, Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission
A native of Jefferson Parish, Jerry Bologna joined the JEDCO team in January 2000 as assistant commercial loan officer. He moved into the economic development side of the organization in April 2001, serving the department in various capacities until he assumed the role of president and CEO in 2013.
As CEO, he primarily works to establish JEDCO’s strategic direction. “This entails working with staff, the board of commissioners, elected officials, business owners and partner organizations to forge robust connections needed to execute innovative solutions,” he said. “As a result of these efforts, JEDCO has earned a strong reputation as a results-driven organization able to carry out the most complex projects.”
In fact, JEDCO — which is one of only 73 Accredited Economic Development Organizations in North America (accredited through the International Economic Development Council)—is recognized as a top economic development organization and a thought-leader in its industry. Accredited since 2008, JEDCO is the longest continuously accredited AEDO in Louisiana and the second-longest running AEDO in the Gulf South.
From an economic development standpoint, Bologna said that Jefferson Parish is unique because it is ideally positioned for industry. “The Mississippi River, six Class I rail lines and an international airport make this area extremely accessible,” he said. “We have a diverse industry base, a rich culinary and cultural scene, incredible natural beauty and a future-focused approach to economic development. But what makes Jefferson Parish truly special is the people: the business owners; the leaders; the workforce. It is a place where people can be more connected, more present and more inspired.”
In recent years, JEDCO has attracted billions of dollars in investment, creating hundreds of high-paying jobs for residents and further positioning Jefferson Parish as a global destination for business. Just last year, JEDCO announced major projects in alternative energy, wind power, manufacturing, food and beverage, and corporate headquarters. “Beyond that, the Elmwood area and Lakeside Shopping Center continue to be two of the highest sales tax generators in the state,” he said.
While JEDCO focuses on industry growth and economic advancement, the organization also prioritizes quality of life. For example, JEDCO commissioned an Insurance Report and Action Plan to address the homeowner’s insurance crisis in Louisiana. The report, which was circulated to lawmakers at the both the state and federal levels, serves to drive legislation that will make insurance more affordable.
“JEDCO also has played an important role in updating the housing stock in Jefferson Parish to make area homes more desirable for young families and existing residents,” Bologna said. “On the economic development side, JEDCO secured funding to build a food and beverage incubator in Churchill Technology and Business Park, which will serve a critical need in the region and will be an anchor tenant on the 480-acre property on the West Bank. Since 2021, JEDCO has funded over a dozen property assessments aimed at bringing dormant industrial sites back into commerce.”
In his free time, Bologna enjoys walking along Lake Pontchartrain with his wife. They also enjoy discovering locally-owned restaurants, and shopping at local retailers and boutiques. “Jefferson Parish offers an extremely desirable lifestyle—easy access to all of the region’s cultural offerings, while also providing security, award-winning schools and responsive government services,” he said.
JEDCO offers a wide range of services to both existing and prospective businesses. Learn more at JEDCO.org.
Cynthia Lee Sheng
Parish President, Jefferson Parish
As Jefferson Parish’s first female parish president, and also the first of Asian descent, Cynthia Lee Sheng is honored to be in public service. Born and raised in Metairie, her grandfather opened the House of Lee Restaurant in the 1950s at the corner of Causeway Boulevard and Veterans Memorial Boulevard. Her father, Sheriff Harry Lee, served and protected Jefferson Parish for more than 28 years.
“My dad was always in politics, and I think I picked up from him a love of public service,” she said. “I had this love of serving, but I always saw myself as being the worker bee in the background — never in front, ever. When my dad died, I was sort of being asked to go here and there, or speak on his behalf, and I don’t know what happened, but people started saying, ‘You should run for public office.’ My late husband really was the one who was pushing me to run for office, and I will always be grateful to have had a partner like him.”
What she loves the most about Jefferson Parish is its unique and historic neighborhoods. “Those different cultures, building styles and history that define a neighborhood—all within one parish—make Jefferson Parish so very special,” she said. “We are the most diverse parish in Louisiana, and when you look at our rich history and the history of this country, I feel fortunate to be able to be in this position at this time. It really shows how far we have come and teaches younger generations that each and every one of us is needed to build a strong community.”
Sheng does her part by ensuring that Jefferson Parish’s leadership team is actively engaged in improvement processes. And when it comes to performance measures, she said that status quo is not good enough. “I have really tried to encourage our directors to seek out better ways,” she said. “You will always have critics point to your failures, but I feel like we are ahead of the game by trying new things. I fully believe that setbacks and failures are part of the journey toward improving the processes.”
Tommy Cvitanovich
Owner/CEO Drago’s Seafood Restaurant
Tommy Cvitanovich, who was born in Canada, moved to New Orleans with his family when he was 5 years old. His parents, Drago and Klara Cvitanovich first opened Drago’s in 1969 in Metairie, and Tommy began working there when he was just 9 years old. “I remember the first day I was standing on a milk crate with an apron that went down to my ankles peeling shrimp,” he says. “And yes, it took me forever to get it done.”
Since that time, Cvitanovich has performed every job in the restaurant. Today, he lives in Bucktown, and he runs all operations for Drago’s six locations: Metairie; Hilton New Orleans Riverside; Baton Rouge; L’Auberge Lake Charles; Bossier City; and Jackson, Mississippi. “We are a mom and pop restaurant,” he said. “All four of my children [are] working in the restaurant currently at different positions. We are family, and we know most of our customers.”
Drago’s, which is celebrating its 55th anniversary this year, features popular dishes like the legendary charbroiled oysters (a recipe that Tommy created in 1993), the Mediterranean salad, the Maine lobster and crawfish étouffée. In celebration of the Jefferson Parish Bicentennial, Drago’s is spotlighting an oyster pasta dish (that is yet to be named). “It goes in step with the oyster trail, and, the more oysters we sell, the more oyster shells we can put back and recycle in the water,” he said.
Besides living and working in what he calls “the most awesome parish in Louisiana,” Cvitanovich says he enjoys working with the Metairie business development district.
