Seventeen years ago, the City of Euless began what is today the largest Arbor Day festival in America. The roots of Arbor Daze run deep. It began in 1988 as the ‘How to Grow Garden Show,' featuring the Spice of Life Band, and has since branched out into the Arbor Daze festival that we know today. With over 250,000 people attending from throughout the region, it has become nearly a $1 million production.

We have been delighted by the growth and popularity of Arbor Daze. The festival has been one of our proudest accomplishments. However, the risk to the City and its residents became abundantly clear with the rainout of 2004. Because it is impossible to mitigate the weather risk, potential issues could cause anywhere from $300,000-$500,000 of liability for the City that cannot be reduced through insurance. Even in the best years, the large costs associated with the festival have continued to increase, while the break even point has become increasingly difficult to attain.

The City committed to keep it a community event by maintaining the ideas that an admission fee should not be charged, and alcohol would not be sold. In turn, this has not allowed revenue growth needed and has further added to the liability of the City should we experience weather issues on that specific weekend.

After consideration of all factors, it has been decided that the 2006 Arbor Daze Festival will be put on hold. The City of Euless will take this time to reevaluate the festival and reconsider the direction for future Arbor Daze events.

The City of Euless has proudly been a Tree City USA for the past eighteen years and is firmly committed to the importance of trees and the beautification and improvement that they provide to the environment. Although the traditional Arbor Daze festival will not be held this spring, the tree giveaway has been the highlight of the event and that will continue to take place in order to celebrate the importance of trees.

The May Day Pre-Mothers Day Plant Sale and Tree Giveaway will be held on Saturday, May 6 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Parks at Texas Star Pavilion. Beautiful plants grown in the Parks Department green house will be sold, free trees will be given to attendees, and Arbor Daze t-shirts will also be sold. In addition, Euless has partnered with elementary school principals in the HEB-ISD to develop a Poe-TREE contest for 4th grade students. The school chosen as winner in the Poe-TREE contest will be designated as the official Arbor Day School of the City of Euless and will receive a visit from the Mayor of Euless, who will read the winning poem and present the class with a proclamation in their honor. Parks Department staff will visit each 4th grade class the week of April 24th to discuss the importance of trees. In addition, each 4th grader will receive a free tree.

The City of Euless is working toward developing a new community event for 2007. Although it will not be the same size as the former Arbor Daze, it will retain the Arbor Daze name and be something the citizens of Euless can be proud of.

We want to thank all those who have participated in Arbor Daze during our seventeen year history including past sponsors, volunteers, vendors and most importantly, our employees. Your enthusiasm about Arbor Daze has been overwhelming and we appreciate your support.