Trail of Lights Dimmed This Year

Growing up in Austin, I’ve always savored the distinctly Austin way of celebrating the holidays. I’ve loved the short sleeves random days in December, the Mexican Hot Chocolate, and of course – getting bundled up every year to stroll down the Trail of Lights.

I remember when I was in early elementary school, waddling around in the “marshmallow jacket” I loathed, sipping hot apple cider, admiring seemingly-endless twinkling. I remember giggling at Snoopy on his tree house, or the Jetsons in their rocket ship. I remember the tunnel with the red stars hanging down, and the choirs singing carols. More than anything, I remember the bonfire – huge even to adults, about the size of a small swimming pool – and the smell of winter in the air, the feeling of warmth washing over me. I loved watching the sparks snap and dance.

I told myself, When I’m grown up, every year, I’m going to bring my kids here. And they are going to love it too.

So this year, when it began to grow colder, I marked on my calendar the Zilker Tree Lighting ceremony – all the while having flashbacks of spinning under the enormous spiraling lights – and eagerly awaited my stroll down the trail. This year, I have a boyfriend to snuggle up with, and more slender, stylish coats to keep me warm. Sure, last year, it was different – but everyone hated the “Tree Festival,” so I was certain they would restore Zilker’s Trail of Lights to its former glory.

Photo by Dani Cummings

Yet I have been stunned and hurt by my discovery: Zilker has nothing but its huge, iconic tree. No Tree Festival. No Trail of Lights. Nothing.

A financial Grinch stole our Christmas.

Perhaps this sounds a bit melodramatic (if you’re HEARTLESS) but to anyone who has been in Austin more than two years, this free, fun event was the hallmark of the holidays. It was all the childhood joy and community of Christmas, the place where strangers could join hands and sing without seeming creepy. I’ve spent the last ten years waiting for them to add the Harry Potter display I was sure was eventually coming.

Apparently the City of Austin could not afford the cost of all the electricity “wasted” on this huge festival, this year. And perhaps it is just holding onto childhood foolishness to wish the festival was still here. But isn’t a critical response to economic hardship improving the morale of those affected? Why not charge money for the first time and limit the nights it runs? With the number of people who attend every year, the city could probably turn a small profit.

I am no financial expert, of course, and I’m sure the powers-that-be know more than I do about all this. I don’t actually suppose they haven’t thought of such options. I’m merely responding to what I feel to be a deep, regrettable loss of not just holiday cheer, but Austin’s identity and traditions.

I can only hope the tradition will not be given up on, that I can still one day bring my children to the Trail of Lights. I hope that the city will continue to pursue alternatives to the emptiness we feel now.