Local Atheist Brings “Festivus” to South Florida

After negotiating with elected officials and with help from the ACLU, corruption fighting atheist Chaz Stevens was allowed to install an eight feet tall Festivus pole outside of Deerfield Beach’s main fire station, located on the corner of US1 and Hillsboro Blvd.

Stevens’ Festivis pole is displayed among other holiday exhibits, including a manger and menorah.

Festivus, a secular holiday celebrated on December 23, commemorates the holiday season and avoids wanton commercialism. Festivus became part of worldwide popular culture after being featured on the Seinfeld episode “The Strike” where Frank Costanza noted, “No, instead, there’s a pole. It requires no decoration. I find tinsel distracting … It’s made from aluminum. Very high strength-to-weight ratio.”

With an origin dating back to 1966, the holiday celebration includes practices such as the “Airing of Grievances” and “Feats of Strength”, and the labeling of easily explainable events as “Festivus miracles”.

Stevens’ pole, constructed from 23 Pabst Blue Ribbon beer cans, follows the proud Festivus’ tradition of having a “very high strength-to-weight” ratio, while still be considered “extremely low maintenance.”

Do you think we’ll see this Festivus tower anytime soon in Tamarac?

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