Austin's Trail of Lights is a great place to enjoy Christmas festivities, food, drinks & music with family & friends. However, my experience this past Saturday left a really bad taste in my mouth. We were supposed to be part of Wave 3 (Fun Run was to begin at 7:45pm.) We arrived at the entrance to Polo Field (where we were supposed to park) promptly at 7pm, which was the earliest time it was available/open to Wave 3 participants. Due to this major screw-up by the people working TOL, we arrived at the starting line 30 minutes late because we were pushed away from the Polo Field parking lot and told to park at Austin High School. And due to the lack of communication and short notice regarding this new parking location, which was over a 1+ mile walk, we missed the start time and the opportunity to meet the host and co-hosts of the Mix 94.7 Morning Show, which is where my wife won tickets. She & I, along with my very eager children, were all very upset.

Recommendations:

*The staff members positioned off of the Mopac frontage road should have signs posted stating "Event Parking" or SOMETHING! We, along with many other participants, had to circle around in our vehicles 3 full exit ramps alongside Mopac TWICE.

*Rain was in the forecast over a week in-advance. If event planners knew a parking location change MIGHT'VE occurred, a QR code posted somewhere off of the Mopac frontage road with a link to the new parking zone would've been very effective. Another option would've been letting participants know of this possible change when picking up our bibs/t-shirts...so we could've planned for it/arrived much earlier.

*An e-mail or text notification system would be VERY helpful!!

*The Y intersection where the Fun Run and The Trail Of Lights path meet/begin should also have signs posted for directions. It makes the experience more inclusive (not everyone is glued to a cell phone.)

• A direct phone line and email address with an automated system that gives updated information or an accutual person(s).. (create more jobs)