By: Sharon Aron Baron
On December 3, the City will hold their holiday lighting ceremony and what better way to ring in the holiday season than with a….Festivus pole?
This year local Atheist and political activist Chaz Stevens who received worldwide attention for erecting a Festivus pole in the Florida State Capital Rotunda wants to donate another one to the City of Tamarac.
Last year, his Festivus pole was prominently displayed in City Hall. If approved this year, Stevens would like it in front of the Tamarac Community Center next to the manger.
Festivus, a parody holiday, is celebrated every December 23 and is an alternative to participating in the pressures and commercialism of the Christmas holidays. It became part of worldwide popular culture after being featured on Seinfeld. Festivus usually begins with an aluminum pole, however, Stevens has elaborated on the tradition by adorning his with Pabst Blue Ribbon beer cans.
Stevens, who is a recovering alcoholic doesn’t even drink beer.
So what provokes Stevens to do this?
“I do not like religious displays on state property,” said Stevens.
Along with their Christmas Tree, the City of Tamarac has a large donated manger scene that sits in front of the the Community Center throughout the holidays.
“When they’re talking about religion in America they’re talking about Christianity. That’s what it’s about. You don’t see Hindus looking to put any stuff up, it’s always baby Jesus mangers. They don’t want freedom of religion, they want freedom of their religion.”
The State of Michigan just received a request by a group that wants to display a nativity scene at the state capital according to MLive. If the State Capital Commission approves this, then it may open the floodgates for other groups: religious and non-religious to set up displays at the capital. Exactly what happened in Florida last year. If this happens, Stevens said he will be ready to display one of his Festivus poles at their State Capital.
Tuesday, November 25, 2014
Michael Cernech, City Manager
City of Tamarac, FLRE: Donation of Pabst Blue Ribbon Festivus Pole
Mr. Cernech;
Greetings!
Is it you, or is it beginning to feel a lot like PBR Festivus Pole?
The staff at MAOS (myactsofsedition.com) would like to donate an official Pabst Blue Ribbon Festivus Pole to the City of Tamarac.
As everyone knows, last year’s Festivus Pole, proudly erected in the Florida State Capitol Rotunda, caused quite the international sensation and its coverage was featured on Fox News, the Colbert Report, Daily Show, and by hundreds of news outlets, including Time Magazine, the Washington Post, and the New Yorker.
With this donation, moving forward the City of Tamarac can erect my pole and proclaim the start of the holiday season! We’d suggest the erection last longer than four hours … perhaps say from the beginning of December to New Years. We just kindly ask you plant the PBR Festivus Pole close to the Baby Jesus Motel 6 manger — in case the little tyke needs a cold frosty one during those long lonely nights.
If agreeable, I’ll instruct our Build Team to deliver a pole to the city next week.
Get ready for the airing of grievances and feats of strength.
Chaz Stevens, Father of the PBR Festivus Pole
PBRFestivusPole.com
Stevens says he is looking for sponsorships for all of the public Festivus poles, including one going up in Deerfield Beach and all of proceeds will go to Women in Distress. In fact, he said that he wants all checks written to the charity. If anyone wants to buy their own handcrafted Festivus pole for the holiday, they will soon be available on Etsy. he said.
