The Kazanzas Star once more hangs proudly across Orange Ave. in downtown Orlando ready for the start of this year's holiday season.
A much loved Orlando tradition dating back to the 50's, the 600-pound Jack Kazanzas Star was raised over the intersection of Orange Avenue and Central Boulevard early this morning, Sunday, November 20, 2022.
City of Orlando staff transported the star on a trailer to downtown where it was assembled at the intersection.
The star was raised and secured in place with the assistance of Orlando Utilities Commision 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, and is a welcome sight for many here in Orlando at the holidays..
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