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WHAT:
On Sunday, November 19,2023, an Orlando holiday tradition will occur with the raising of the Jack Kazanzas Star 50 feet over the intersection of Orange Avenue and Central Boulevard. City staff will transport the star on a trailer to the location where it will be assembled at the intersection. The star with be raised and secured in place with the assistance of Orlando Utilities Commission using lifting equipment, bucket trucks and cranes.
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. In 2010, the city rewired the star which is now made up of more than 4,000 LED lights.
The Star has come to symbolize the start of the holiday season in downtown Orlando.
WHEN:
Sunday, November 19, 2023
- 6:45 a.m. – Road closure of Orange Avenue from Central Boulevard to Pine Street
- 7:30 a.m. – Work on the star will begin
- 8 – 10 a.m. – Raising of the star to take place
- 12 p.m. – Orange Avenue fully reopened
WHERE:
Media set-up at the intersection of Orange Avenue and Central Boulevard.
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