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Little Elm says Big Easy festival was cost‑recovered, drew about 5,166 attendees and will help fund Eggtastic
Summary
Town staff reported that the 11th annual Big Easy event attracted roughly 5,166 attendees, recovered its $56,000 cost and produced surplus funds earmarked for the Easter Eggtastic event. Staff highlighted volunteer support, race participation gains and operational lessons.
Town staff told the Little Elm Town Council on March 4 that the town's 11th annual Big Easy festival drew about 5,166 attendees and that the event was cost‑recovered, leaving funds to support the town's upcoming Eggtastic celebration.
Drew Bailey, director of Tourism and Communications, said the town operated the event itself for the first time this year and called the production "super successful," noting entertainment that included a band, hot air balloons tethered to the ground, a drone show, a second line, a king cake eating contest and a small parade.
Bailey said 731 racers participated in running events (up from the prior year), and the town engaged 39 staff and three volunteer groups to staff the festival. Volunteers reduced paid staff hours and wage costs. "The event did end up being cost recovered," Bailey told the council, reporting total event expenditures of about $56,000 and revenue that made back that amount. He said the net surplus would support Eggtastic, the town's free community Easter event.
On operations, Bailey said the town learned it needs additional crawfish vendor capacity after long lines developed and that packet pickup at the Elm and better volunteer coordination were successful changes. Council members praised staff and volunteers for improved logistics, with one council member calling it "the best I've experienced in the last four years." Bailey said the town switched from cupped water at the race finish to bottled water and Gatorade and added a 1K kids' race this year.
The director said the town saved roughly $9,390 by using volunteers in lieu of paid staff during portions of the event; with staff included the remaining surplus was about $4,000, depending on how accounting is viewed. Bailey said the event was the town's first time operating the race from start to finish rather than receiving revenue share from a third‑party organizer; that change accounted for higher race sales revenue in the 2025 column.
Bailey told the council that organizers will continue to refine vendor arrangements and staffing models and that the town plans to use the surplus to fund Eggtastic. Council members congratulated staff on the event and volunteers for their work.
Provenance: The Big Easy recap presentation began when the presenter said, "this past Saturday, we kicked off our first large event of the year," and staff concluded "that's all we have for you this evening."
