Trail of Lights finale Sunday

AUSTIN (KXAN) - This Sunday is your last opportunity to visit the 2012 Austin Trail of Lights.The free event was closed two years ago due to lack of funding. This year is the first it has been back, thanks to support from local businessman Paul Carrozza.

"The Trail of Lights is an iconic celebration of authentic Austin," said Carrozza, Founder and CEO of the RunTex Carrozza Foundation. "So many people have asked for this, wanting this tradition to be brought back to Austin. Trail of Lights is a piece of Austin's history and a platform bringing together Central Texans to participate in a vibrant event and advance the community."

Organizers say the gate closes promptly at 10:00 p.m., visitors arriving after 9:00 p.m. won't be able to make it through the trail.

If you plan on going, be aware that Barton Springs will be closed to traffic, starting at 5:30 p.m. Lights for the Sunday finale will be switched on at 6:30 p.m.

Festivities begin at 7:00 with a final Grand Finale performance by Duck Soup and Turk Pipkin.

Founded in 1965 as "Yule Fest", the cherished event has been embraced by the Austin community yearly.

The Austin Trail of Lights is a partnership between RunTex Carrozza Foundation and Forefront Austin with H-E-B as the lead sponsor.

“Great things happen when we come together to celebrate,” Carrozza said.

KXAN is an official corporate sponsor of the 2012 Austin Trail of Lights.