The setup
The tree is formed using 39 strings of LED bulbs which feature 81 red, yellow, green and blue bulbs. Lights are placed strategically so the yellow bulbs create a swirl pattern, accompanying a 10-foot by 10-foot double star at the head of the display.
The historic moonlight tower in the park which is used as the base for the holiday tree is one of the original 31 towers that the city used for its urban lighting system in 1895, as stated in a news release. Today, the tower is one of 17 original towers still remaining in Austin.
Austin Energy's Clint Correll said it takes 25-30 workers to stretch out and mount the streamers on the tree.
Correll said the crew who works on the tree sees it as a break from their typical day-to-day tasks and looks forward to the event.
“We've got a couple of guys who are really into the Christmas spirit,” Correll said. “We're going to start playing Christmas music after this.”
The Zilker Holiday Tree has been an Austin tradition since 1967, carrying the spirit of the holidays through generations.
“Every year we do this it’s a good feeling,” Correll said. “It brings people of all walks of life together. Once the tree’s lit you can come up here and see people from all over the state, the world.”
The lighting of the tree will happen right after Thanksgiving on Nov. 30 at 5:15 p.m. at Zilker Park. Attendees can look forward to live music, entertainment and food.
Community members can keep an eye out for more Zilker Holiday Tree information which is expected to be added to the Austin Parks and Recreation Department’s website in November.
