"Every year we do something for Festivus because it is a nonreligious holiday," she said. "It is just a neat way to represent what we do."

Befittingly, a pole rather than a tree is used for decoration during Festivus.

Art of the Catwalk offers fitness classes ranging from several types of dance and aerobics to pole fitness, the preferred term for pole dancing.

"We are not about being strippers," Shaffer said about the myth that pole dancing is for exotic dancers only. "We are about having fun and finding fun ways to get in shape. If you really look at what pole tricks are, it is not any different than gymnastics."

The rules of street pole are simple: Find a pole, strike a pose, take a photo and e-mail it to info@artofthecatwalk.com. Anyone over the age of 18, regardless of experience, is invited to compete. Shaffer said extra credit will be given for originality, possibility of getting caught, tandem pole tricks including two people, tricks on government property, pole dancing while you are supposed to be working, pole dancing on vacation and holiday-themed photos.

By submitting photos you acknowledge the following to be true:

As you read these guidelines for responsible behavior, please keep in mind that you are responsible for yourself at all times, in every regard. Above and beyond the provision for individual survival, everyone is requested to help ensure our collective survival by following very basic rules relating to public safety and community well being. Everyone is expected to abide by these standards.

PRIZE FOR FIRST PLACE

$200.00 CASH

PRIZE FOR SECOND PLACE

$100.00 CASH

PRIZE FOR THIRD PLACE

$50.00 CASH

All photos will be posted here on Facebook and also on www.artofthecatwalk.com and also www.artofthecatwalk.ning.com

GOOD LUCK!!!

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