The trail of lights may have closed, but the bulbs are still burning on 37th Street.

Since the light show is run and paid for by the residents, there were concerns back in 2006 that some changes in home ownership meant the lights would go out forever. But the new residents have picked up the cable and plugged the decorations back in. There’s a hearty injection of politically themed installations this year to boot, including a lot of Obama references, but it’s also an opportunity to say farewell to Vice-Ogre Chiney in effigy form.

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This article appears in December 26 • 2008.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.