For nearly three decades, the streets of Deep Ellum would close every spring for the Deep Ellum Arts Festival, a free-to-attend music and arts festival celebrating the works of the local community.
Unfortunately, after 28 years, the festival will not be returning in 2023.
According to WFAA, festival founder Stephen Millard cited economic and security concerns as his main reason for bringing the festival to an end, especially in the wake of three consecutive pandemic-induced cancellations.
According to a statement released by Millard, a lack of financial support from outside sources or investors meant the festival no longer had enough money to pay for the event's run next year.
Millard also added that he would be taking on "unjustifiable personal financial and liability risks" if he were to move forward with another year of the festival, calling it "unsustainable."
Millard also said issues related to security at major public events also played a part in his decision, but didn't elaborate in the release as to what he was referring to.
The first Deep Ellum Arts Festival was held in 1994.
Over the 28 years of its existence, the festival brought in 2,500 original performers and 5,000 artists to more than two million attendees.
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