Newly Upgraded Historic Jack Kazanzas Star Installation
Last updated on November 15, 2018
Newly Upgraded Historic Jack Kazanzas Star Installation in Downtown Orlando Marks Start of Holiday Season
WHAT:
On Sunday, November 18, an Orlando holiday icon will return 50-feet above Orange Avenue with the raising of the Jack Kazanzas Star.
The more than 50-year tradition of raising the 600-pound golden star started in the 1950s when two competing department stores, Ivey’s on the east and Dickson & Ives on the west of Orange Avenue, joined together in 1955 to hang the Christmas star between the two.
In 1984, after the department stores had closed, Jack Kazanzas, a lifelong resident of Orlando, led a campaign to raise funds to replace the original Christmas Star that had fallen into disrepair.
The star will shine brighter this year and will also be more energy efficient with recent improvements made to the historic icon, including –
- New exterior LED lighting that can change colors, light intensity and light sequencing.
- New interior LED lighting and wiring.
- New exterior panels.
WHEN & WHERE:
IMPROVEMENTS SNEAK PEEK:
Thursday, November 15
City of Orlando Fleet & Facilities Management Division, 1010 South Westmoreland Drive
STAR RAISING
Sunday, November 18, 2018
Corner of Orange Avenue and Central Boulevard
- 7 a.m. – Road closure of Orange Avenue from Central Boulevard to Pine Street
- 7:45 a.m. – Work on the star will begin
- 8 – 9:30 a.m. – Raising of the star to take place
- 12 p.m. – Orange Avenue fully reopened
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