Each year, Mardi Gras draws tens of thousands of visitors to Lake Charles, Louisiana — a city rich with culture, tradition, and community pride. But for 2025, city leaders wanted to create something even more memorable: a modern, visually stunning experience that would highlight both the spirit of the celebration and the city’s exciting future.
“When people come to Lake Charles, they fall in love with our people and our culture,” said Michael Castille, Director of Community Services for the City of Lake Charles. “We knew that if we wanted to showcase the progress we’re making as a community, we needed something innovative — something that would make people stop and say, ‘Wow.’”
That vision came to life with the city’s first-ever 3D projection mapping show, illuminating the Historic City Hall building with vibrant, high-definition imagery throughout Mardi Gras week.
It wasn’t just an eye-catching spectacle — it was a statement of growth, energy, and pride in Lake Charles, brought to life by Panasonic’s cutting-edge projection technology.
Finding the Perfect Tech Partner at InfoComm
Donnie Culpepper, Sales Engineer for LRC Wireless, was brought in to support the City of Lake Charles on the project's technical side. From the beginning, he knew that delivering on the city’s ambitious vision would require an exceptional technology partner.
“I’ve done a lot of projection work in the past, so I knew we’d need a major player to pull this off,” Culpepper said. “We weren’t looking for just a 5,000- or 10,000-lumen projector. We needed 30,000 lumens and above, which immediately narrowed the field to only a few companies who could deliver the level of quality we needed.”
That search led him to InfoComm, the largest pro AV trade show in North America. Within minutes of walking through the doors, Culpepper found what he was looking for. “I saw Panasonic’s display of a historic building projection, and I knew we had found the right fit,” Culpepper recalled. “Their setup wasn’t just impressive; it was exactly what we needed for Lake Charles.”
Delivering on Every Level: Performance and Partnership
To transform the 100-foot-wide, 80-foot-tall Historic City Hall, three Panasonic PT-RQ35K projectors were deployed with projection mapping. Two projectors covered the base of the building, while a third mapped the upper façade, creating a seamless visual canvas that brought the historic landmark to life.
“I could not believe the brightness when we first turned it on,” said Culpepper. “It was vibrant and crystal clear. And the 4K clarity made it feel like you were watching a giant television on the side of the building. Panasonic absolutely nailed it.”
But it wasn’t just the technology that left an impression. When a last-minute issue threatened to delay the launch, Panasonic’s team stepped in immediately — coordinating a replacement and ensuring the event stayed on track.
“Panasonic’s customer service meant more to me than even the technology itself,” Castille added. “They didn’t just sell us a product — they stood by us when it mattered. That level of partnership is rare, and it’s made a big impact.”
A Lasting Impression — and a Bright Future
The projection mapping show ran across five nights during Mardi Gras, with full 30-minute video-and-audio presentations on key evenings. Crowds gathered to watch, often clapping at the end of each performance — a reaction Castille likened to a standing ovation after an opera. The projection became a highlight of the celebration, a reason for people to linger longer downtown, and a vivid reminder of what’s possible when tradition meets innovation.
And the Mardi Gras debut is just the beginning. The projection system was designed to be fully mobile, with custom-fit road cases, battery backups, and weather-protected enclosures. The city now plans to use it for a variety of upcoming events, including Fourth of July, Christmas celebrations, and even university playoff games, transforming new locations across Lake Charles into animated landmarks.
It all began with a spark of inspiration at InfoComm, the show where Culpepper first connected with Panasonic and saw the potential to bring Lake Charles’ vision to life. Panasonic will be back this year at InfoComm 2025 in Las Vegas — stop by booth #1201 to explore the technology that helped illuminate Lake Charles and discover what’s next in projection mapping, visual storytelling, and beyond.
