Strip Club Wins Cocoa Beach Christmas Contest
samsung1
Ohio
COCOA BEACH, Fla. -- The annual holiday decoration contest in Cocoa Beach is causing some controversy this year.
It's not the contest, but one of winners of the contest who's causing the controversy. The award for best business decorations went to Inner Room, a strip club.
When you think of what might win the top prize in a Christmas decoration contest a strip club probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind. But in Cocoa Beach that's exactly what won first prize in the best business decorations category.
For the first time the Inner Room, A Gentleman's Club won the city's annual holiday decorating contest.
Owner Lamar Johnston says he has been building up his display for more than two decades and this is the biggest year yet.
"I have done this for many years, I am a kid at heart, I love Christmas," Johnston said.
Despite the lighted reindeer, bright snowflakes and Merry Christmas glowing on the outside wall, the community seems to be divided on whether or not Johnston should have even been included in the contest at all.
While some say it's no big deal, others argue that strip clubs and the holiday season, don't mix.
"Out of this whole beautiful Cocoa Beach, that is the best? That is disgusting," resident Dorie Langlois said. "There is not a church better than that?"
But Johnston says residents shouldn't judge him.
"I'm not apologizing for what I do. I try to be the best citizen I can, and if you ask around town I think you will find a lot of positives," Johnston said.
"I think its great. He deserves it because he is the only one who has his business decorated," a resident said.
And next year, you can expect the inner room decorations to be bigger and better.
"I just want to keep the spirit of Christmas. I noticed everyone is much nicer around Christmas and I guess I just don't understand why we don't do that all year," Johnston said.
The Cocoa Beach Garden Club judged the contest. The Inner Room has been open for 30 years, but this is the first time it's won the contest.
http://www.wftv.com/news/26270101/detail…
It's not the contest, but one of winners of the contest who's causing the controversy. The award for best business decorations went to Inner Room, a strip club.
When you think of what might win the top prize in a Christmas decoration contest a strip club probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind. But in Cocoa Beach that's exactly what won first prize in the best business decorations category.
For the first time the Inner Room, A Gentleman's Club won the city's annual holiday decorating contest.
Owner Lamar Johnston says he has been building up his display for more than two decades and this is the biggest year yet.
"I have done this for many years, I am a kid at heart, I love Christmas," Johnston said.
Despite the lighted reindeer, bright snowflakes and Merry Christmas glowing on the outside wall, the community seems to be divided on whether or not Johnston should have even been included in the contest at all.
While some say it's no big deal, others argue that strip clubs and the holiday season, don't mix.
"Out of this whole beautiful Cocoa Beach, that is the best? That is disgusting," resident Dorie Langlois said. "There is not a church better than that?"
But Johnston says residents shouldn't judge him.
"I'm not apologizing for what I do. I try to be the best citizen I can, and if you ask around town I think you will find a lot of positives," Johnston said.
"I think its great. He deserves it because he is the only one who has his business decorated," a resident said.
And next year, you can expect the inner room decorations to be bigger and better.
"I just want to keep the spirit of Christmas. I noticed everyone is much nicer around Christmas and I guess I just don't understand why we don't do that all year," Johnston said.
The Cocoa Beach Garden Club judged the contest. The Inner Room has been open for 30 years, but this is the first time it's won the contest.
http://www.wftv.com/news/26270101/detail…
2 comments