St. Patricks Day to Dallas is like Mardi Gras to New Orleans. The event is a tradition that defines the city.
However, Dallas was almost without their parade this year due to a lack of financial funding.
The cost of the parade has steadily increased in recent years because of the need for more police and street barricades. As the size of the crowd grows with each year.
Looking for support, social networking sites were set up in order to collect donations from local citizens to help aid the parade fund.
Greenville Avenue Area Business Association (GAABA), CrowdTilt and FundRazr all began an effort to help raise the remaining money needed for the parade.
CrowdTilt, a website that assists in the collection of money between groups, has helped the city of Dallas before. Just last year $25,000 was raised via CrowdTilt to give the Deep Ellum community a garden.
Even with all the assistance, the city was still short $40,000. It was proposed Friday the 16th that if the money is not raised the parade will not take place.
Luckily Dallas Mavericks owner, Mark Cuban, stepped in and wrote a check for $40,000 to save the St. Patrick's Day event.
Residents expressed how grateful they were to Mr. Cuban.
"The parade is amazing and it would not have happend without him," said Dee Casarez
Josie Gomez, a local resident, has been attending the parade for 20 consecutive years. She said its a tradition that helps bind the community.
"Everyone gets together, you make friends and you share drinks," said Josie.
Despite the rocky disposition, the parade went on without a hitch. There were even floats recognizing Mark Cuban's humanitarian actions.
Crowds were pleased with the outcome.
"My favorite part is hanging out and clicking with all these strangers," said Casarez.
"It's fun and I love that the parade isn't professional," said Sarah Bergren.
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