The Austin City Council has voted to let a private company run this year's Trail of Lights at Zilker Park. Austin-based BrightBlue-Combo Platter will take over the annual tradition that was canceled last year due to budget cuts.
There will be a handful of changes between the city-run trail and the new privately-run one. Most notably - a ticket price.
"Whether or not we end up charging folks is going to depend on sponsorship," newly-minted Trail of Lights co-executive director Amy Vercruysse said, "right now our plan is to charge $5.00 per person 12 and older. And children 11 and under would be free. And one dollar from each ticket goes to the city."
If sponsorship dollars rush to the event, Vercruysse says they would love to make the Trail of Lights free. The new organizers will negotiate a final contract with the city over the next couple of weeks.
They hope to launch a new website - trailoflightsaustin.com - by the end of the month.
