Trail of Lights could expand in 2013

AUSTIN (KXAN) - With the success of the return of the Trail of Lights in 2012, organizers are looking to expand the tradition in 2013.

Money woes forced the city to cancel the tradition for the last two years, until RunTex CEO Paul Carrozza led the charge to raise funds to re-open it this year. Carrozza now tells KXAN he hopes to expand the Trail of Lights from one to two weeks in 2013.

"The opening night was off the charts and every night since has just been great," Carrozza said. "You can just see it on the kid's faces- it's magic."

Event organizers estimate an average of 50,000 people walked the Trail of Lights each of the eight nights it was open. In all, between 400,000 and 500,000 people total visited the Trail of Lights between December 16-23.

"Oh, I'm super excited that it's back," said Jennifer Atkins. "It was missing from Christmas."

Carrozza said expanding the Trail will alleviate some of the crowds and traffic issues Austin saw this year. He wants to keep the event free, but suggests free tickets for staggered entry times to help with traffic and crowd control. Carrozza also suggests closing the streets earlier in 2013. He is also suggesting the presale of shuttle spots as well.

He said he envisions the Trail of Lights concluding on New Year's Eve with a countdown to the New Year taking place at the Zilker Tree.