Nightmare Over Little Elm Park drew 7,247 visitors; organizers recommend lighting, route and notification changes
November 04, 2025 | Little Elm, Denton County, Texas
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Organizers described communications work for the event — social media, e‑mail, newsletter and a new event map — that sought both to market the program and to warn attendees about traffic patterns, fireworks and pet safety. Gailey said the two pumpkin drops were intended to spread crowds and reduce trampling/chaos seen in prior years, and he said that tactic, along with expanded vendor distribution of candy, reduced long lines.
Gailey said staff received many positive comments about the fireworks and drone show and that the event attracted many Little Elm residents and visitors from nearby communities, including Aubrey, Frisco, Dallas, Denton, McKinney, Plano and Prosper. He reported that local restaurants noted a positive economic bump after the event.
Financially, Gailey said the event is run in partnership with a private vendor that supplies drones and fireworks; ticket sales belong to that private contractor after public‑safety and fencing costs are covered. The town provided sponsorship, small in‑kind items and staff support. Organizers said secured sponsors this year helped offset the town’s costs and noted that the scale of the event could justify adding opt‑in text notifications for next year to communicate parking or start‑time changes.
Improvements recommended for future events included: improved lighting in vendor areas; reconsideration or re‑routing of the hayride to avoid the fireworks fallout zone; and implementing an opt‑in text notification system for large events. No council action or vote was taken on the recap; staff presented the report and received feedback.
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