Iconic Congress Lights Absent This Holiday Season

For the second year in a row, no festive lights will decorate historic Congress Avenue over the holiday season. Austin Energy had given the Downtown Austin Alliance $145,000 for a new LED lighting system, but it only lasted two years – 2008 and 2009. The DAA decided not to string luxurious lights after last year’s attempt at a light show didn’t work out. According to the DAA, there was malfunctioning with the project, and they have been trying to figure out the best way to hang the lights over Congress Avenue since. 

The holiday light display requires manpower from Austin Energy in order to be strung within a short time-frame: a seven-day window between the Chuy’s Annual Parade and the Capitol tree lighting. DAA is working with Austin Energy to find a better system for the Congress Ave light show and hopes to roll out those decorations in 2012. 

In addition to the cancellation of the lights on Congress Ave, the city’s annual Trail of Lights at Zilker Park, near the Barton Hills neighborhood, has been postponed for the second year as well. Austinites will have to visit 6^th street, where lights have been strung across the roadway – or visit communities and private neighborhoods that display decorations. 

If you are looking for the perfect place in Barton Hills to call home, perform an Austin Home Search and allow Austin luxury REALTOR® Brian Talley to help you find the right fit.