AUSTIN — An Austin tradition dating back to the 1980s has made a resurgence.
According to Wikipedia, the 37th Street lights at 37th and Guadalupe near West Campus got started when homeowners starting stringing up lights left behind by the nearby fraternity and sorority houses.
Thousands of people would walk and drive through the street every year to see the oddball collection of Christmas lights and displays that truly stuck to the motto “Keep Austin Weird.”
But over the past several years, as more apartment complexes went up and homeowners moved, the tradition had started to lose steam, and the crowds dwindled.
That is, until a homeowner on 37th Street known as the “Mayor,” Robert Foster, decided to band the neighbors together and get the tradition going in full swing.
PHOTOS: Neighbors revive 37th Street Christmas lights tradition in Austin
“It’s a lot of work,” 37th Street resident Maddy Braat admitted. “But, it’s worth it. And we get huge crowds of people every night.”
Visitors from all over come to see the unique light displays, and people who grew up walking 37th Street each Christmas are now back with their own kids to start new traditions.
Some of the displays include a dance tent called “Club Penguin,” where you can find kids of all ages dancing to classic disco and '80s songs. There is also a stuffed animal petting zoo and an “Area 37” alien light display.
Amy’s Ice Cream has a tent set up with hot chocolate to keep visitors warm on cold, windy nights.
The street is free and open to the public.