Fond Memories Inspire Cuban To Save St. Pat's Parade
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM) - Christmas is coming early this year for those who like to celebrate another joyous event. "I can't express how excited I am," said a smiling Tony Todora.
Todora owns the Parkit Market and is breathing a sigh of relief now that Mavs' owner Mark Cuban has saved the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. "This is like the best thing that could've ever happened. We are so excited," Todora added.
The Dallas parade draws over 100,000 people, and for business owners, it's a cash cow. "It's the biggest day of the year for most of the merchants up and down Greenville," explained Jorge Levy, president of the Greenville Avenue Business Association.
The parade cost roughly $100,000. Organizers had raised $60,000, but desperately needed someone to come up with the rest before a deadline of February 17.
It appeared the event, which began in 1979, was about to die until Mark Cuban stepped in. "It's fun," Cuban told CBS 11. "I've killed so many brain cells at the St. Patrick's Day Parade. It's become a Dallas tradition. I just couldn't let it die," the Mavericks' owner added.
Cuban's money will help cover the cost of barricades and added security.
Levy says Cuban also donated an additional $25,000 to the DISD Scholarship Fund sponsored by the Greenville Avenue Business Association.
