Easter in Lee Park, an event known for its colorful parade of pooches, is canceled this year. New requirements by the City of Dallas, including fencing the park perimeter, security, and permits, have driven the cost to produce Easter in Lee Park to a total of $25,000. A level no longer sustainable by the Association without help from the public. They sent out emails and posted on their website to ask for the community’s help because the Cedar Springs Merchant Association took a loss on it last year and cannot continue to make it free to public with these higher city fees.
“Easter in Lee Park did not receive enough funding to continue this year,” said David Berryman, executive director of the Cedar Springs Merchants Association, in an email. “The event is canceled. The park will still be open to the public but you will have to obey standard park rules that day.”
A GoFundMe campaign raised $870 of its $20,000 fundraising goal to put on the festival (the full amount of the campaign was not met, so the funds were not charged).
“This fund raising campaign is set at $20,000. Due to the time constraints, the campaign must be fully pledged by March 4th. If the full amount of the campaign is not met, the funds are not charged, and the event will be cancelled. The event must be permitted in order for the community to gather in the park and to have street closures for the pooch parade.” According to the EasterinthePark.org site.
