Dallas – Despite rainy weather, an estimated 80,000 people lined the streets Saturday for the 43rd Annual Dallas Mavericks St. Patrick's Parade & Festival. Despite the gloomy weather, it didn't stop people and their furry friends from enjoying the good fortune of the Irish, including a 5K race.
Businesses in the Lower Greenville area said the event put a lot of greenery in their wallets.
Partezza co-owner Whitney Elfasai felt the magic of the day.
“That was great!” said Elphasai. “The people are very friendly. Everyone is very nice and welcoming, so it was a lot of fun.”
Elphasai was just one of the vendors who profited from the parade and festival.
“We sell cowgirl hats. We also have necklaces for shots. We also have some glasses,” Elfasai said.
She sold all kinds of green goods to customers like Anthony Jimenez and Mike Torres. They both took a three-hour flight to attend the festival.
“We're both from Jersey. This is my third year doing it, and it's always so much fun, but this is Anthony's first time,” Torres said.
“Oh, it's my first time. It's a good atmosphere. I'm just trying to enjoy the night,” Jimenez said.
From food to beads, vendors and businesses wanted to make something a little more environmentally friendly while selling green not just on Saturday, but all year round.
“Today is the biggest day of the year for some businesses up and down Greenville, and then the block party will be just another event,” said Kevin Vela, president of the Greenville Avenue Area Business Association. Stated. “His party on the block in Lower Greenville, today is a big day for the businesses there.”
This is Elfasai's first year as a vendor. She hopes the Southwest's largest parade will be a good luck charm.
“We come here to hand out flyers and really just to promote ourselves, get the word out and get our name out there,” Elfasai said. “We want to make some connections and relationships and hope we can get some business out of it.”
A sea of green lines Greenville Avenue, and businesses have found a pot of gold.
