For 36 years the Junior League of Austin has held a cherished and nationally renowned event in Austin on the same weekend in November. A Christmas Affair brings upwards of 30,000 people to downtown Austin to attend the holiday market, making it a holiday tradition for many families.
But now, the Austin City Council is considering granting a permit for a concert on the same weekend, which raises a great deal of traffic gridlock and public safety concerns. The concert could easily take place at another venue which would not conflict with the traffic and crowds that are already expected for A Christmas Affair.
The Junior League of Austin has more than 2,300 members who volunteer 100,000 hours annually. Funds generated from A Christmas Affair provide more than $750,000 to area non-profits (including Mobile Loaves & Fishes) and making the wrong decision about a concert location could negatively impact this signature fundraiser.
City council will vote on the permit this THURSDAY, AUGUST 7. Mobile Loaves & Fishes, however, feels that the citizens of Austin should be allowed a fair amount of time to consider this proposal and have a public discussion. We encourage you to email City Council Members by Clicking Here. Tell them to vote NO on agenda item # 77 and protect A Christmas Affair.
Again, City Council will vote on granting this permit THURSDAY NIGHT. We urge you to email or call City Council immediately to voice your support of The Junior League of Austin’s A Christmas Affair.
Link to Thursday’s City Council Meeting Agenda:
https://austin.siretechnologies.com/sirepub/mtgviewer.aspx?meetid=258&doctype=AGENDA
Link to the agenda item language:
Link to the resolution under consideration:
https://austin.siretechnologies.com/sirepub/cache/2/wxiei355ni4ny155nqxpwx55/28857507312012090551908.PDF (draft resolution)