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 d

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