Thousands Attend Annual St. Patrick's Day Event On Greenville Ave.
DALLAS (CBSDFW.COM/AP) – Thousands of partygoers celebrated St. Patrick's Day at Dallas' 33rd annual parade, which stretched along the blocks that make up Greenville Ave.
But it was almost canceled a few weeks ago because of a lack of funding.
That's until billionaire and Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban stepped forward and wrote a $40,000 check to the local group that puts on the parade.
As the deadline for the parade neared, Cuban picked up the tab, helping the Grenville Avenue Area Business Association raise $100,000 to cover the costs.
Cuban also funded an additional Dallas ISD donation, which the GAABA offers each year of the parade. The Mavericks owner said "fond memories" from his youth motivated him to donate the money.
The event is held every year on Greenville Avenue.
Deputy Chief Mike Genovesi of the Dallas Police Department says large crowds and parking are always issues with the parade.
The deputy chief said there were 16 public intoxication arrests, 214 parking citations issued, one person arrested for assault on a public servant and three people were arrested for aggravated assault. Twenty non-traffic citations were issued, as well.
Early attendance estimates weren't released Saturday evening, but pictures show the majority of Greenvile Ave. packed with green-clad bodies.
Organizers said before the event that they expected the largest turnout ever, as the parade and block party actually fell on Saint Patrick's Day this year.
Miss the event? Don't fret, take a look at our photo slideshow.
(The Associated Press contributed to this report)
