A Green Light for Zilker Park’s Trail of Lights
The major pieces are in place to bring back the Trail of Lights to Austin's Zilker park, according to an organizer. Image by Mark Dewey, KUT News.The man who promised Austin a 2012 Trail of Lights says he will deliver.
Local running shoe store owner Paul Carrozza, through his RunTex Foundation, tells KUT News that he has put together the pieces of a $1.2 million dollar financing package.
“We’ve raised enough to make it happen,” Carrozza said. He says grocery chain H-E-B made the biggest commitment, followed by Dell, Samsung, Seton, and Vista Equity Partners. More sponsors are in the works.
“I felt strongly that we should keep it free to the public,” Carrozza said, “and keep it free to the taxpayer, and that the community would support it through corporate underwriting, business sponsorships, and individual giving.”
Carrozza credits the City Council and Mayor Lee Leffingwell with helping bring back the event they killed off for budget reasons four years ago.
“It’s absolutely a team effort,” Carrozza said.
2008 was the last year the Trail of Lights was held in its entirety. Dramatically scaled-down versions have been held since. The new Trail of Lights will attempt to faithfully recreate the popular holiday event, including its 43 individual scenes.
Organizers are planning additional activities, including “elf night” and an attempt to set a world “caroling” record with 15,000 singers.
The Trail of Lights will run from Dec. 16 to Dec. 23 in Austin’s Zilker Park.
Carrozza says he’s planning to bring back the event year after year.
