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Annual 'Deck The Chairs' event more than just lights and chairs

The annual 'Deck the Chairs' event kicks off Sunday at 4 with the official lighting ceremony at 6. The event has grown substantially since it was founded in 2013 and both the founder and sponsors say the event is more than just lights on some cool life guard towers.

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla.--- The annual 'Deck the Chairs' event kicks off Sunday at 4 with the official lighting ceremony at 6. The event has grown substantially since it was founded in 2013 and both the founder and sponsors say the event is more than just lights on some cool life guard towers.

“You see artists, you see non-artists,” said Deck the Chairs founder Kurtis Louftus.

Kurtis Louftus founded Deck the Chairs after a run in 2013 because he felt the area of Jacksonville Beach needed some lights.

“These were all being stored over at the lifeguard station stacked up, so just pull them into the park and decorate them that’s how it all works," he said.

An idea that started with 18 chairs has grown to 40 chairs sponsored by area businesses taking part lighting up Jacksonville beach for the annual event.

“We’ve been to the store about four times today, it takes more than you think," said Fur Sisters president Kelly Krehbiel.

Krehbiel says one of the hardest parts of the event aside from running to the store to get more lights, having enough power strips to make it all come to life.

“Up there you had a little hey where’s the outlet moment, we’ve had a lot of those moments, there’s a lot that goes into this that we didn’t expect, but it’s been a fun process.”

A process Kelly Krehbiel with Fur Sisters says is not just about highlighting chairs even though their chair comes complete with a light up hand made dog and dog house, but about the businesses in this community.

“We’re a foster based rescue so bringing awareness about what they can do to help and fostering is a big part of that, that’s a big reason why we’re doing this.”

“You see kids, you see grandparents," Louftus said.

Even three generations ironically working on a time machine to help their son and grandson Jake Estanislao from Andrew Jackson High School.

“If you ask him to build something he can make it happen," Noel Estanislao.

Noel said when his son came home and said he was to head a project for his school, Noel knew exactly who to go too, his father, Jake's grandfather.

So grandpa grabbed all the material he could grab from his yard and went to work.

The family says they're yard at times is like a giant junk yard. But much like other designs here, aside from the provided life guard chair, it's all from their imagination.

Turning spare scraps of metal into decked out art for all to see.

This is the sixth year for the event. The event kicks off Sunday at 4, with the ceremonial lighting ceremony set for 6pm.

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