Meet ‘Sammy J’ — SW La.’s latest Gator on the Geaux
Published 6:59 pm Friday, March 28, 2025
"Sammy J" is the Gator on the Geaux featured at Sam Houston Jones State Park. (Emily Burleigh / American Press)
"Sammy J" is the Gator on the Geaux featured at Sam Houston Jones State Park. (Emily Burleigh / American Press)
"Sammy J" is the Gator on the Geaux featured at Sam Houston Jones State Park. (Emily Burleigh / American Press)
"Sammy J" is the Gator on the Geaux featured at Sam Houston Jones State Park. (Emily Burleigh / American Press)
Sam Houston Jones State Park attendees were treated to a concert by the Lake Charles Symphony ahead of the unveiling of "Sammy J," the park's Gator on the Geaux. (Emily Burleigh / American Press)
Upwards of 100 people were treated to the unveiling of “Sammy J,” the newest Gator on the Geaux, and the sounds of Vivaldi and other classical pieces at Sam Houston Jones State Park Thursday evening.
The Lake Charles Symphony, the Lt. Governor’s Office and Louisiana State Parks hosted the first “Symphony in the Park” concert as a simultaneous celebration of the park’s recovery and of Southwest Louisiana. The park faced devastation following the hurricanes of 2020. Five years later, the park has refurbished multi-use trails, luxury cabins and young trees growing strong.
Beth Dawdy, executive director of the Lake Charles Symphony, said the dream of unveiling a new Gator on the Geaux and hosting a performance backdropped by the Calcasieu River and long-leaf pines was three years in the making.
“We stood on that boardwalk and we said, ‘What if? What if a symphony? What if this beloved park was filled with music again?’ ”
Mayor of Westlake Hal McMillin echoed a lifelong fondness for the park.
“The smartest thing I ever did in this park is on that pretty bridge over the marsh, over the swamp … That’s where I proposed to Sue,” he said. “This park means a lot to Southwest Louisiana, and it means a lot to us.”
The event started with the unveiling of Sammy J, a blue gator with an orange belly. He’s adorned with Louisiana flora and fauna and will live out his days on the boardwalk by the river. Sammy J was painted by artist Morgan Alaine, who has painted several other Gators for the Symphony.
Music performed by a 10-piece orchestra and conducted by William Rose followed. Guests listened to “Music of Spring and Music of Louisiana,” which featured works by Debussy, Gottschalk, Handel and Vivaldi.
For Dawdy, the performance is a also celebration of the “deep connection between” music and Southwest Louisiana culture.
“Music is at the heart of who we are, and we want the Symphony to be part of that conversation,” she said.
Sammy J and the performance were sponsored by LyondellBasell. David Schrutka, site manager for LyondelBasell, said the turnout at the concert spoke to the passion Southwest Louisiana has for the community and the great outdoors.
“The outdoors, when I first moved here, I realized how important it is,” he said. “Being a good part of the community is very, very important to LyondellBasell.”
