If you were hoping to be the first person to put your chair out for the 2013 Holiday Parade, you’re too late. Way too late.

Thursday, not even two weeks after Venice City Council adopted a policy restricting the placement of chairs for the annual street parade, a person or persons unknown put a chair and a rug on the lawn at city hall. A sign on the chair read: “Reserved for 2013 Christmas Parade. Do not remove.” The chair and rug were cordoned off with caution tape.