AUSTIN, Texas — At the corner of 37th and Guadalupe streets during the holiday season, you’ll find something uniquely Austin – a giant Godzilla-like creature covered in Christmas lights. And that’s just the first house of many with out-of-the-ordinary Christmas decorations.
"This street is one of the remainders, or like, the reminders of what the old Austin was like – 'Keep Austin Weird' vibe,” said Tracy Firsching, a 37th Street neighbor.
Firsching moved to a house on 37th Street in December 1999, specifically to be a part of the Christmas decorating tradition.
"I probably visited this street in the middle '90s at some point, and I said, ‘These are my people,’” Firsching said.
Walking past Firsching’s house, you’ll find a surplus of sock monkeys dressed up as Prince, elves and even wearing Austin FC jerseys. But her most prized possession is her sock monkey nativity scene, which you just have to see to believe.
“We've had first dates at the sock monkey nativity,” Firsching said. “We've had engagements in front of the nativity.”
To Firsching, the street embodies the saying “Keep Austin Weird.”
"It's like a physical sensation, and it's joyful and exuberant, and people exploring their creativity,” Firsching said.
When the lights turn on at sunset, you can feel it even more. Every night from now until January, the neighbors will keep the lights on until almost midnight, drawing crowds of people to come see the scene.
“It’s a real holiday booster,” Austinite Brian Kistler said. “I think that’s one of the reasons people like to come.”
The street has been decorating for about 30 years, but they stopped briefly back in 2010. About four or five years ago, Firsching said her neighbor, a long-time Austinite named Robert, brought it back.
"He's got a great community spirit, so he got everyone on the street revved up and involved again," Firsching said.
Firsching said seeing the families and kids enjoy it is why she loves to put up her decorations.
"It is that child-like joy that keeps me going every year," Firsching said.