| The Holiday season is filled with tradition and | | | | Today’s Trail of Lights |
| celebration, including those in both the family and in | | | | Today, the four-day event that began in 1965 has |
| the community. In Austin, family and community | | | | become a month long extravaganza. The Zilker Tree |
| traditions come together with the annual Trail of | | | | lighting and coloring contest are still the opening |
| Lights celebration in Zilker Park. For more than 40 | | | | marker for the festivities on the first Sunday of |
| years, Austin residents and visitors have been | | | | December. The following Saturday, the city holds a |
| enjoying the beautiful spectacle and many have | | | | evening 5k run through the trail of lights, followed the |
| made visiting the event a yearly event for their | | | | next night by the opening parade. The event will then |
| families. As interest in the Trail of Lights has | | | | run through the 23rd of the month and will include |
| increased over the years, it has grown to be one of | | | | many entertainment activities. Also on site will be |
| the most notable holiday events in Austin and the | | | | Santa Claus, a mock US Post Office, and the |
| whole of Texas. | | | | traditional Yule Log. In 2008, the Trail, itself, will |
| History of the Trail of Lights | | | | feature 41 displays covering a mile long trail. |
| The Trail of Lights was started in 1965 and was a | | | | In addition to the fun and entertainment offered at |
| collaboration of Austin resident Mrs. Alden Mabel | | | | the event, those who attend have the opportunity |
| Davis and the director of the Austin Parks and | | | | to give back to some off the less fortunate in the |
| Recreation Department. In the first year, the citizens | | | | Austin community. Operation Blue Santa collects |
| of Austin were treated to a stroll down a candle-lit | | | | unwrapped toys at various drop boxes throughout |
| path, a living Nativity scene and a display with a | | | | the Trail of Lights. In 2008, the charity hopes to |
| “Twelve Days of Christmas” theme. | | | | collect enough donations to provide Christmas gifts |
| Festivities were capped off with dance presentations | | | | for 20,000 children in the city, under the age of |
| and a Yule log. | | | | twelve. The drive will begin the night of the tree |
| The next major addition to the festival was the | | | | lighting and run through thr close of the festival. |
| Zilker Tree, which was billed as “the world’s | | | | Austin’s Trail of Lights is an exciting and beautiful |
| largest man-made tree.” The tree was first lit in | | | | way to enjoy the holiday season. Making a habit to |
| 1967 and the lighting event has become a citywide | | | | visit the event annually will be a welcome tradition for |
| symbol of the start of the holiday season. Since | | | | Austin residents and for those who enjoy traveling |
| 1987, the city has held a coloring contest, with the | | | | to the city. See for yourself the wonder of the |
| winner receiving the honor of throwing the switch | | | | displays and entertainment included in this wonderful |
| that lights the 155-foot tall wonder. Tree lighting | | | | event. |
| takes place on the first Sunday in December. | | | | |