JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Deck The Chairs organizers said despite multiple days impacted by weather, the free holiday display event drew record crowds for its 11th season in Jacksonville Beach.
More than 58 lifeguard chairs were decorated by small businesses and nonprofits, including 18 chairs decorated by local middle and high school art programs, organizers said.
“We are so proud of the hundreds of students and teachers who participated in the 2023 DTC Chair Decorating Challenge,” DTC Founder and Executive Director Kurtis Loftus said. “The Unite With Lights Theme was embraced by all our student artists. Their expressions of unity through creativity and storytelling were inspiring.”
Among the awards announced by organizers were four student awards, divided between displays at the beaches and at James Weldon Johnson Park.
Judges Award Beaches Display: Fletcher High School
Crowd Favorite Beaches Display: First Coast Military Homeschoolers
Judges Award JWJP Display: Bolles School
Crowd Favorite JWJP Display: AMI Kids Jacksonville
Jacksonville Beach Deck The Chairs Awards (voted by visitors to the park over three weekends):
Best of Show Beaches Display: Publix
Founder’s Chair: Expert Glassworks
Blue Chair: American Legion Post 129
Yellow Chair: Saint Paul’s Catholic School
Red Chair: City of Jacksonville Beach
Honorable Mentions: Angel’s Construction, Jacksonville Country Day School, Fleet landing, Margaritaville, Make-A-Wish Foundation
Organizers said it will take three days to remove the student displays at James Weldon Johnson Park and about a week to take down the displays in Jacksonville Beach. The work began Monday.
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