By Sahar Chmais
This year’s holiday celebrations will not resemble what Buda residents have experienced pre-COVID-19, but the virus has not deterred the people from continuing the warm celebrations. In order to maintain the details that complete the joyous season, Buda organized a new method for its annual Trail of Lights.
Buda’s 12th Annual Trail of Lights event strays away from the virtual experience. Still, to ensure safety, Buda decided to turn it into a drive-thru trail. In previous years, people would walk around looking at the plethora of lights under the dark sky, holding their warm concessions of hot cocoa and food. This year, there will be no concessions.
Buda Trail of Lights map, from the city of Buda.
Viewers will have the opportunity to drive through the Buda Trail of Lights on Dec. 5 and 6, Dec. 10-13 and Dec. 17-20. The drive-thru opens at 6 p.m. and closes at 10 p.m.
Attendees will enter from Hawk Lane at the entrance to Stagecoach Park & Visitor’s Center, winding around Loop Street and exiting on Main Street. The Buda Police Department will direct the traffic.
Buda has chartered a traffic map, but not the entire trail will be decorated.
Local businesses and organizations will be participating by setting up their own displays throughout the trail – 24 businesses have registered and eight spots remain. The city will supplement additional lights and displays.
Since the city has never done an event like this before, staff will keep an eye out on how it works and see if they should make adjustments throughout the month.
