SEATTLE -- A state agency is looking at a request to put a "Festivus" pole at the state Capitol's rotunda in Olympia, reported KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.

Festivus is a fictional holiday created in an episode of the comedy sitcom Seinfeld by character George Costanza's father, Frank, after he became frustrated while fighting for a gift during the crowded holiday shopping season.

Instead of a tree, the imaginary holiday presents a bare pole and people gather around it and have an airing of grievances or feats of strength.

The request came after an anti-religion sign joined the holiday tree, Menorah and Nativity scene at the Capitol, creating a national firestorm and prompting thousands to call Gov. Chris Gregoire's office to complain after conservative TV personality Bill O'Reilly called the display "political correctness gone mad" in an eight-minute segment on Fox News.

Things got so heated that Pastor Ken Hutcherson of Antioch Bible Church told Atheists that they were going end up out of the frying pan and into the fire.

"Hey I believe in Jesus Christ and if you don't, that's alright cause you're gonna fry like a Jimmy Dean pure pork sausage," Hutcherson said.

The sign from the Freedom From Religion Foundation calls religion "myth and superstition," and more than 500 people gathered Sunday to demonstrate against the display.

Jim Buenzli made the request for the Festivus pole and hopes to put his up at the state Capitol later this week.