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Board reviews successful Day of the Dead turnout; readies December tree-lighting and holiday programming
Summary
Park staff reported roughly 300 attendees at the Day of the Dead celebration, noted strong community engagement and new oral-history contributions, and briefed the board on upcoming ticket sales, volunteer needs, and logistics for the December tree-lighting and related holiday events.
Park staff and board members reviewed recent festival results and upcoming holiday programming at Farmers Branch Historical Park.
Speaker 4 said the Day of the Dead event drew approximately 300 attendees, generated positive feedback and oral-history contributions (including additional photos and interviews added to the collection), and produced about $150 from a Friends-run popcorn sale. Board members discussed using QR surveys and posting a follow-up survey link in the city bulletin to collect more written feedback from attendees. Speakers suggested bilingual or illustrated educational flyers to explain traditions such as flower crowns and altar elements.
Staff previewed upcoming ticketed events: Mad Hatter (tickets on sale Dec. 1; event in March), cello summer camp (tickets Dec. 1; camp in June), and Girls Make History camp (tickets Dec. 1; camp in July). Tree-lighting activities are scheduled for Dec. 2, including tea seatings in the morning, tree lighting with a stage and music in the meadow from 5–9 p.m., vendor booths, exhibit tours (Queen Anne and Gilbert House), and a drone show; staff noted volunteer parking for the event will use the CounterSource lot on Ford Road for the evening. The Friends group will offer chair rentals at the tree lighting.
Board feedback included adjusting event times to increase after-work attendance, coordinating volunteer schedules for exhibit tours and house guides, and producing educational materials for cultural programming. Staff will circulate final event setup maps and volunteer assignments as details are confirmed.
