WINTER PARK, Fla. – A petition circulating in Winter Park is raising concerns that city officials plan to downplay Christmas in local holiday celebrations, but leaders say that perception isn’t accurate.
The Change.org petition, titled “Save Christmas in Winter Park,” claims the city is trying to phase out Christmas traditions downtown.
“So to be very clear, to start, Winter Park is not taking Christmas out of the holidays,” Clarissa Howard said. “In fact, what Winter Park is doing is adding two other holidays during the season, such as Hanukkah and Kwanzaa.”
Howard explained the controversy stems from a change in how downtown decorations were managed. Last year, the Park Avenue District — a merchant-led group — handled rebranding and decor with help from matching city funds. The district labeled the season “Christmas on Park,” which drew some concern from residents who wanted broader holiday representation.
“This year, when the city issued a release about the holiday season starting, then we did receive concerns from residents saying, wait a second. I think there’s a little bit more than Christmas on Park,” Howard said.
Howard, who has worked with the city more than 20 years, said this is the first time the city has faced controversy about its holiday branding. She emphasized that all longstanding Christmas traditions will remain in place while new efforts are made to include other celebrations.
“I think it really is misunderstood and misguided, because it is not Winter Park taking Christmas out of the holidays,” Howard said.
News 6 has reached out to The Park Avenue District, which has yet to respond.