A SMALL PART OF A BIGGER STORY TidBits

Annual Tulipalooza Festival Is Back Spectacular Array Of Colors In North Texas

The Great Gala Met Couture Presented By Gcs Moms League

The GCS Moms League is honored to announce their next Great Gala, April 29 in support of Stepping Stones Foundation (Keller, Texas). The yearly GCSML Great Gala has a rich history of community involvement and entertainment while also raising hundreds of thousands of dollars for local charities. This year will be the biggest yet, with the help of local supporters like you! The GCS Moms League is excited to an nounce that local mom, Melissa Rycroft-Strickland, has joined the event as the fashion show host. Melissa is a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader, television personality, host, and dancer, seen on The Bachelor and Dancing With the Stars. The beneficiary of this gala, Stepping Stones Foundation, is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to serving youth in crisis throughout North Texas by providing access to emergency housing, food, clothing and medical care, as well as offering an array of programs and services aimed to empower and instill the necessary tools to make positive life choices. The tickets to join us for this amazing night are now available! You can help make an impact.

thegreatgala.org tulipalooza.org

The annual Tulipalooza festival is back, and it promises to be brighter and better than ever. Hundreds of thousands of tulip bulbs have been imported from Holland and planted at the Waxahachie Civic Center in Waxahachie, Texas, ready to bloom into a stunning display of colors. The tulip festival takes place from March 17th to 26th, and fifty percent of ticket sales goes back to local charities. Ticket purchasers can choose among several local charity partners to benefit from their purchase. These include the YMCA, Goodwill of Dallas, Bryan’s House, Dwell with Dignity, Presbyterian Children's Homes and Services, Special Olympics Texas, Down Syndrome Partnership of North Texas, The Ashford Rise School of Dallas, Easterseals Lonestar, CitySquare, Hendrick Scholarship Foundation, The TouchDown Club of Dallas, and To Be Like Me. “This festival is a wonderful opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate the beauty of nature while supporting local charities,” said festival organizer, Kari Zerbe. "We are proud to be able to contribute to the amazing work these charities do, and hope the community will come out in force to show their support.” General admission to Tulipalooza is $15 for adults and $5 for children aged 5-12 years. Children under five get in for free. There will be plenty of food, drink, and entertainment for everyone to enjoy. Don't miss your chance to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Tulipalooza Festival while making a difference in the lives of those in need in our community.

Big Tex New Boots Winning Design Selected

Big Tex is ready to announce which design he will be sporting at the State Fair of Texas this fall. The winner of the 2023 Big Tex Boot Design Contest is Jessica Bonilla of Irving, Texas. As a Texas native, Bonilla grew up going to the State Fair every year. At only 23, she is a licensed social worker who earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degree in the DFW area from UNT and UTA. “While I work in the mental health field and substance misuse field, I also run a small business selling my art,” said Bonilla. “I heard about the Big Tex Boot Design Contest, and I really wanted to challenge myself to draw in a new style that I’m not as familiar with. I am beyond excited that my design was selected to be featured on Big Tex and I will have the opportunity to share my art with millions of people!” Receiving more than 300 entries, competing artists ranged from ages 10 to 79, with fair fans from coast-to-coast submitting their best illustrations, hoping to earn a finalist spot. A panel of judges then narrowed the pool to just five finalists. As the first-place winner, Bonilla receives the opportunity to work with the State Fair of Texas and Lucchese Bootmaker to put the finishing touches on her boot design.

“Lucchese Bootmaker is honored to partner once again with the State Fair of Texas for the Big Tex Boot Design Contest. Jessica’s design highlights the beautiful and vibrant Texas sunsets we all know and love, and we can’t wait to see her vision brought to life by our bootmakers,” says Doug Kindy, Lucchese President. Be sure to stop by Big Tex on your annual trip to the Fair this fall to see Bonilla’s design come to life on his size 96 pair of boots. The 2023 State Fair of Texas will run from September 29 through October 22 in Fair Park in Dallas.

BigTex.com/DesignMyBoots

Women Of Influence Award Luncheon Honors Black Women Business Owners In Dallas

In partnership with Soul Reborn, a 501c3 non-profit organization that focuses on transforming the lives of women, and Cheryl Magazine, an international information source highlighting the amazing work of powerful women around the world, Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson will host the inaugural Women of Influence Awards luncheon in Dallas during Women’s History Month—a time dedicated to recognizing the contributions of women to our society. The event will take place from 11:30am to 2pm on Friday, March 31 at the Gleneagles Country Club (5401 West Park Blvd., Plano, TX 75093). The Women of Influence award is presented to individuals who have exhibited extraordinary talent, integrity, and leadership in their respective industries and have shown compassion for causes that elevate women and have helped pave the road for future generations. The luncheon, themed "A Seat at the Table," signifies the importance of women in leadership to create opportunities for other women from all walks of life to have equal opportunities for success.

Founded by Dallas-based philanthropist, best-selling author, and filmmaker Dr. Cheryl Polote Williamson, Soul Reborn and Cheryl Magazine underscore Dr. Polote Williamson’s efforts to help women realize and embrace their full potential. Soul Reborn is dedicated to transforming the lives of disadvantaged, disenfranchised, and previously incarcerated women. During its 5-year tenure, the organization has donated over $475,000 and helped thousands of businesses globally. Notably, during the coronavirus pandemic, Soul Reborn fed over 8,000 essential workers and awarded grants to 177 college women and 216 women-owned businesses—five of which are based in Dallas.

Cheryl Magazine further supports these efforts by highlighting the work of powerful women from around the country. It serves to inspire the “everyday woman” to be true to themselves and to pursue their dreams and desires unapologetically.“It is an honor to celebrate these phenomenal women, many who have stepped out on faith with no backup plan and many who have overcome unthinkable odds to fulfill their purpose,” said Dr. Polote Williamson. "I hope that each of their stories will - in turn - inspire the next lady to do the same.” please visit: tinyurl.com/WOIdallas

The lack of access to capital has been a major factor preventing Black women from starting their businesses. With educational, financial, and inspirational resources like those made available via Dr. Polote Williamson and Soul Reborn, Black women are at the forefront of business ownership, making up the fastest-growing group of business owners.The event is sponsored by The Polote Corporation, UNT-Dallas, Kween Bee’s Sugar Scrub, and Williamson Media Group, LLC. A portion of the proceeds will fund grants for women-owned businesses. Tickets range from $100 to $7,500 and are available at the Women of Influence Awards event site.

Spring Tradition Festival Of Joy Returns Ushering In Spring With A Colorful Celebration

Join us for a fun-filled day of bright colors, beautiful flowers and a free vegetarian feast, along with riveting music, dance, interactive holistic living and cultural activities. Ushering in the spring with a colorful celebration of Indian culture and spirituality, the 4th annual Festival of Joy will be celebrated at Klyde Warren Park (2012 Woodall Rodgers Fwy., Dallas) on Saturday, April 15 from 11am-6pm. The free festival brings together thousands of families, young adults and dignitaries.

The Festival of Joy—also known as Ratha Yatra or the Festival of Chariots—has its roots in ancient India and the bhakti tradition. It is celebrated in major city centers around the world, including New York City’s Fifth Avenue and London’s Piccadilly Circus. It has been observed annually for more than 3,000 years in the holy city of Jagannatha Puri in Orissa, India, making it the oldest street festival in the world.

“What better way to celebrate Dallas Arts Month than the unique Festival of Joy,” said Lily Cabatu Weiss, executive director of the Dallas Arts District. “The colors, dances, culinary experiences and family-friendly cultural activities bring a dynamic, diverse and colorful energy to the Dallas Arts District.”

The Dallas Festival of Joy begins at 11am with a welcome ceremony at the park, followed by a parade at noon through the Dallas Arts District, returning to the park at 1:30pm. Hundreds of festivalgoers will pull a colorful chariot carrying the deities of Jagannatha, Balarama and Subhadra along Flora Street. Hundreds more will dance while singing sacred mantras and playing traditional musical instruments. Devotees believe that if they get to pull the ropes of the giant chariot carrying Lord Krishna, also known as Jagannatha or Lord of the Universe, they can obtain eternal service to the Lord in the spiritual world.

After the procession ends at the park, guests can enjoy a free vegetarian feast and visit cultural and educational exhibits of holistic living and the spiritual heart of India. The main stage will feature kirtan (musical mantra meditation) and bharat-natyam (classical Indian dance). This year’s performers will include acclaimed Manipuri dancer Rinku Das and Odissi dancer Krishnaveni Putrevu. Throughout the day, Kalachandji’s will operate several booths selling regional Indian street food favorites. Other booths will present Ayurveda, yoga, traditional crafts, vegetarian cooking demos, ask-a-monk, tie-a-sari, face painting and more.

“We look forward to a bigger and bolder Festival of Joy, with expanded programming and interactive activities for visitors of all ages to enjoy,” said Nityananda Dasa, president of the Texas Krishnas. “The energy and joy felt by the thousands who attend reminds us that there is hope in the world, and that the consciousness within can spread to inspire others. We hope people of all backgrounds will come and experience this special celebration of spiritual culture.” please visit: FestivalofJoyDallas.com