One of the great things about living in North Texas is our access to entertainment and cultural attractions. Richardson takes an active role in being a part of that regional stage with events that have lasted for decades and grown to become family traditions. The primary group responsible for planning and putting on the occasions is the Richardson Parks and Recreation Department, the brains behind the City’s festivals and the people who work there focus every year to create something that makes customers want to come back for more.
“None of our events are exactly the same as they were when they began,” said Superintendent of Community Events Serri Ayers. “We are always listening to our audiences, our staff and our event volunteers to continually produce the best events we possibly can.”
The Parks and Rec team keeps busy year-round offering events in every season—the Cottonwood Art Festival and Wildflower! Arts & Music Festival in spring; Richardson’s Family 4th in summer; Pawtoberfest, Huffhines Art Trails and a second Cottonwood Art Festival in fall, and the Richardson Christmas Parade and Santa’s Village in winter.
Wildflower! is the largest, stretching over three days in May and featuring renowned musical acts on six stages. The newest event, Pawtoberfest, is designed especially for dog owners and their pets and includes a “Yappy Hour” with “dog beer” and treats for both owners and pets as well as pet activities.
All Richardson community events are family-friendly, with activities especially for children at each, from bounce houses and climbing walls at Richardson’s Family 4th to an activity area at every Cottonwood Art Festival and Wildflower! Young attendees to Huffhines Art Trails may go on a scavenger hunt, and children visiting Santa’s Village find an activity or treat inside every building.
Ayers noted that the events are geographically friendly as well.
“We spread out the events so that every resident has at least one major event near their neighborhood,” she said. “And we switch the Christmas Parade’s location every year!”
For more information about Richardson’s community events, visit www.cor.net/events.
