Huge Christmas Display In Bloomfield Has Risqué New Additions

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — A huge, highly anticipated Christmas display in Bloomfield returned for the 2019 holidays, this year with some risqué additions: scantily clad mannequins.

The James Christmas Display is located on the 200-block of Lakewood Drive in Bloomfield. It’s a labor of love from the 14-year-old organizer, who calls it the “biggest Christmas display in the township” on social media.

This year’s display was open throughout the week leading to Christmas, opening in the early evening and closing at 10 p.m. It’s final day open to the public was Monday.

The teen's grandfather, Nicholas Joanow, told Patch that his grandson has been steadily working on the display over the past five years, pouring a lot of elbow grease into the task. The teen also hands out candy canes and hot chocolate during public visitation hours.

“He’s very proud of his efforts and the joy that people get during the holiday period,” Joanow said.

This year, the display included a pair of scantily clad mannequins. A local resident who requested to remain unnamed sent Patch a few photos, questioning their appropriateness.

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It isn’t the first time that a North Jersey holiday display has included such mannequins.

An Easter display at the home of a Clifton dentist – which featured several Playboy bunny mannequins in lingerie – was allegedly torn down by an irate neighbor, who was eventually charged with criminal mischief for causing more than $2,000 in damage, reports said.

• See related article: Woman Accused Of Ruining Sexy Easter Display In NJ Charged

However, according to Joanow, there have been no objections from Bloomfield residents about this year’s display.

“Many children with their parents have lauded this display with no complaints,” he said. “The mannequins are only a very small portion of the entire display.”

As to the appropriateness of their attire, “it’s a subjective matter as perceived by the individual person,” Joanow said.

But there may be a good chance Bloomfield has seen the last of those particular mannequins, he added.

“I doubt [my grandson] will have them included as part of the holiday display in the future,” Joanow said.

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• See related article: Turtle Back Zoo To Host Million-Light Holiday Display For 2019

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com

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