Parade’s Return a Resounding Success
Michael Turner has no shortage of wild ideas, so few were surprised that one of his priorities as Dallas BA President was to bring back the Parade of Homes™ as the Association’s signature public-facing event. On Saturday, April 7, the Dallas BA’s Immediate Past President’s idea became a reality as more than 500 attendees braved unseasonably cold temperatures to visit homes built by Turner (Classic Urban Homes), Prospect Homes, Thomas Development and Construction, Alexander Hunt Distinct Homes and Richard Miller Custom Homes.
“Back in the day, we would carve out a portion of a subdivision for very high-end luxury homes that would be built in unison and then offered for sale during the Parade,” said Dallas BA Executive Officer Phil Crone. “Following the recession, those opportunities became hard to come by and we were not in a position to have a staff member essentially live on site like we did back then. If we were going to get back into the Parade business, we needed a new model that we could replicate year in and year out.”
The new business model saw the Parade return to the City of Dallas, where it began in 1952. Also, just like the early days, the Parade was a scattered site event featuring homes in different parts of town. Four of the homes were located within two miles of each other in the Bluffview area, while another was over on the east side of town in Lakeview.
Promoting the Parade was a key factor in successfully introducing it to the public. Dallas BA staff diligently worked with media partners, and the event was featured in nearly every major real estate publication in the area. Title partner Stellar AV promoted the event on their digital billboards. Stellar owner Shane Bala went above and beyond, procuring a couple of high end sports cars to adorn the driveways of Parade homes.
“It took all hands on deck to pull this one off,” Turner said. “It can be a big ask for clients to open their homes to the public. I’m very grateful for those who did and for the volunteers who staffed the homes. Many of them worked much of the day out in the cold.”
The 2018 Parade of Homes raised around $3,000 for the Dallas BA’s preferred charity, Operation FINALLY HOME. Those funds will be used to help build mortgage-free homes for combat wounded veterans and their families in the Dallas area. Those who attended the Parade are encouraged to take the survey online at ParadeofHomesDallas.com. The website also features photos of the homes and will have information on the 2019 Parade when it becomes available.