Photo via The Daily City

Every November, post Thanksgiving, the City of Orlando hangs a 600-pound golden star over Orange Avenue in Downtown Orlando.

The Jack Kazanzas star has been hung 50 feet over the street for 50 consecutive years. The tradition was birthed through the cooperation of two competing department stores, Ivey’s on the east and Dickson & Ives on the west of Orange Avenue.

The tradition was saved in 1984 by Jack Kazanzas who led a campaign to replace the dilapidated original star with something fresh. The star was fixed up again in 2010 when it was rewired with 4,000 LED lights by the City of Orlando.
Jack Kazanzas in 2009 courtesy of Rob Smith Jr via Finding Joy in Florida
Jack Kazanzas in 2009 courtesy of Rob Smith Jr via Finding Joy in Florida

Brendan O'Connor

Editor in Chief of Bungalower.com

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