- The Orlando airport hosted a Festivus setup for those traveling on December 23rd
- There was a traditional Festivus pole, accompanied by a warning sign stating that pole dancing was prohibited
- Festivus is an alternative holiday to Christmas, created in an episode of Seinfeld
Orlando International Airport installed a pole in the spirit of Festivus, but had to implore travelers in transit not to use it for exotic dancing.
The Orlando Airport (MCO) honored those celebrating Festivus by handing out a pen and paper comment box for passengers to use during their travel.
People were supposed to take part in the tradition of 'airing your grievances' as part of their Festivus celebrations.
Festivus was inspired by an episode of the iconic TV show Seinfeld from 1997 – where the 'holiday' was first mentioned.
The secular holiday is celebrated as an alternative to the pressure and commercialism of Christmas and includes traditions such as a Festivus dinner and an aluminum Festivus pole without decorations.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) honored those celebrating Festivus by handing out a pen and paper comment box for passengers to use during their travels
Upon closer inspection, a smaller statement reads: “Please do not climb the Festivus Pole. The Festivus pole is not a dance pole'
The holiday also encourages practices such as “airing grievances” and “feats of strength” and labeling easily explainable events as “Festivus miracles.”
“For those celebrating today's date, please join the 'Festivus for the Rest of Us,'” read the bright blue, Seinfeld-inspired sign at the Orlando airport.
'Please use the comments box to express complaints. We ask for no demonstrations in force at the airport,” the sign continued.
Upon closer inspection, a smaller statement reads: “Please do not climb the Festivus Pole. The Festivus pole is not a dance pole.'
Despite the disclaimer, the airport boasted about the pole's sturdiness in a post on
The first X-post informed passengers of the temporary festive event.
'A #Festivus for the rest of us! If you're passing through today and want to celebrate the day in a traditional way while your meatloaf is on its way, stop by our Festivus pole, take a photo, and air your grievances (no tour de force, pls).”
The meatloaf reference is a nod to the sliced reddish meatloaf-shaped food on a bed of lettuce that Seinfeld character Estelle Costanza served at the festive Festivus dinner in the episode.
The pole was located on level five of the airport, next to the train station, and remained in place until 6pm on the December 23 bank holiday.
Orlando International Airport (MCO) honored those celebrating Festivus by handing out a pen and paper comment box for passengers to use during their travels
Festivus was inspired by an episode of the iconic 1997 TV show Seinfeld – which first mentioned the 'holiday'.
Festivus celebrations aren't always as light-hearted as Orlando Airport's setup; last year, Republican Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky used the holiday to air some serious grievances about government spending.
Paul donned a red jacket and stood in front of a roaring fire to release his annual “Festivus Report” last year, which roasted and cataloged $482 billion in government-funded programs that he considers “pork barrel spending.”
“This year I'm highlighting a whopping $482,276,543,907 in waste, including a steroid-induced hamster fight club, a study to see if children love their pets, and a study on the romantic patterns of parrots,” Paul said in his report from 2022.
This year Paul returned with his annual report by 2023 and warned the American people about the approximately $900,000,000,000 in government waste.
The #Festivus Waste Report 2023 is officially out! This year we found $900,000,000,000 worth of waste that we could raise serious complaints about,” Paul posted on X.