Hoodline writes, "Austin's holiday spirit flickers to life with the 57th annual Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, a dazzling tradition aglow with over 3,300 lights, set to take place this Sunday, November 26. The city's beloved event, which will run from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at 2100 Barton Springs Rd., has enchanted Austinites since the first lighting back in 1967 as per KXAN report.
In a ceremony warmed by the community's eager anticipation, local entertainment, delicious food, and live music, young artists from Austin will experience the honor of lighting up the night.
Winners of the Zilker Holiday Tree art contest, Claire Bonyun and Maya Nolan, will "Flip the Switch!" in their respective junior and senior divisions, a tradition dating back to when Austin's Mayor Pro Tem Emma Long first welcomed Yuletide cheer to the park as reported by City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department.
The Zilker tree, a transformation of one of Austin’s original moontowers into a towering 155-foot-tall beacon of festivity, serves as a historical reminder of the city's past when the moontowers were bought from Detroit in 1894.
Carried through times when the country faced crises such as the energy crisis in 1973 and the recent pandemic in 2020, the event has become a symbol of Austin's resilience and community spirit as stated in KXAN News.
The stage, set within Zilker Park's south side, has been magnificently crafted by the City of Austin electricians, who conjured a unique spiral pattern of multicolored LEDs.
Topping the tree is a double star that measures 10 feet from point to point.
First lit by the energetic efforts of the Mayor Pro Tem, Mrs.
Emma Long, the tree continues to be an emblem of the season's joy, and a reminder of the hopeful light that community traditions bring, as emphasized in the information gathered from the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department.
For attendants driving to partake in the festivities, carpooling is recommended, or take advantage of Cap Metro services, with free but limited on-site parking available on a first-come, first-served basis. Special parking provisions are set aside for media outlets wielding marked video production equipment, guiding them to the semicircle drive in front of Austin Sunshine Camps on Andrew Zilker Road the details elaborated by the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department. Attendees are also urged to keep an eye on the official social media accounts of @AustinCityParks for updates in case of inclement weather."
Source: hoodline
Written by: Ryan Anderson
Published: November 24, 2023
Posted by Grossman & Jones Group on
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