Juneteenth Celebration is June 17

Come celebrate Juneteenth at Irving’s Juneteenth Jam Fest on Saturday, June 17. Enjoy a local live band, food, entertainment, local vendors and a classic cars show. Do not miss a day of fun and entertainment!

June 17 | 3 to 8 p.m.

 3 to 4 p.m. | King Square Park, 200 Gilbert Road

Enjoy teen performances from Irving’s Got Talent winners.

 4 to 8 p.m. | Bear Creek Heritage Park, 3925 Jackson St.

Enjoy live music, African storyteller, classic car show and a variety of vendors. In-N-Out Burger will provide a limited number of free meals. Remember to bring lawn chairs, tents and sunscreen.

For more information, visit IrvingEvents.org or call (972) 721-2519.

Stay Connected and Ready to Play

The Irving Parks and Recreation Department’s Summer Activities Brochure is out now! It provides information on how to schedule, sign up and register for the upcoming camps, classes, programs and activities available through August. The guide includes schedules by age groups and information for all Irving recreation centers. Pick up the Summer 2023 Brochure at any recreation center or view online at CityofIrving.org/RecSchedules

Search Facebook for @IrvingParksandRec and “Like” the page to stay up-to-date with what is going on in Irving Parks and Recreation — events, programs, schedules and more. Visit CityofIrving.org/Parks for more information. 

Parade Applications

DUE

By June 19

Irving's annual Sparks & Stripes Fourth of July Parade will be back in the Heritage District on Tuesday, July 4 at 9 a.m., with the sounds of marching bands, floats and all things red-whiteand-blue!

Immediately following the parade, attend the annual Watermelon Social at Heritage Park. Cool off with a refreshing slice of watermelon and stay for the sounds of the Jade Flores Band.

Applications are due no later than Monday, June 19 at 5 p.m. Participants are required to attend the mandatory parade meeting on Wednesday, June 28 at 6 p.m., at Irving City Hall at 825 W. Irving Blvd. in the Council Chambers. Entries should be decorated with a patriotic theme in mind. Entries can opt to be judged in one of the following categories: Most Creative, Most Patriotic and the Grand Marshal Award.

Visit IrvingEvents.org for more information and to complete the online parade application.

Seeking Resident Input On Budget

Planning for the city’s Fiscal Year 2023-24 (FY24) budget is underway. The City of Irving Budget Team is looking for resident suggestions, feedback and opinions on what should be considered for the FY24 budget, which begins Oct. 1, 2023.

Public Input Sessions City Hall, 825 W. Irving Blvd. June 8 | 7 p.m. June 29 | 7 p.m.

To learn more about the city’s budget, visit CityofIrving.org/Budget and check out the "FY23 Budget Executive Summary" tab for an overview of the current fiscal year budget.

Adoption of the budget is scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 14 and the city’s budget year runs from Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2024.

Ask the Budget Fiscal Friends (BFFs)

Contact the Budget Team and let them know what the city should focus on for the upcoming annual budget or ask a question about any aspect of the FY24 budget by emailing AskTheBFFs@CityofIrving.org. 

Irving Police Department Tests Live 911 Program

Time is of the essence when residents call for help during an emergency. With this in mind, the Irving Police and Information Technology departments are in the final stages of testing the Live 911 system, a software program that uses technology to connect officers in the field with real-time emergency calls from dispatch.

Irving Police Department began beta testing the program in the summer of 2022. The program is an optional tool for officers to use and provides first responders nearly immediate connection to emergency calls.

When residents call 911 for help, a dispatcher works to acquire helpful information for responding officers, as well as document the incoming call. Through the Live 911 program, within seconds of a person dialing 911, officers hear the conversation on their computer between the caller and dispatch. Additionally, officers can set the software to triangulate calls within a one- to three-mile radius around their vehicle or hear incoming calls from across the city.

The Live 911 program provides officers with added situational awareness while responding to a call. With the new technology, the officer can hear the emotion and conversation from the caller, providing more insights to appropriately address the situation.

The department says the technology helps mentally prepare officers for what they are about to encounter.

Additionally, officers can respond to the situation quicker. Rather than answering a call from across town, officers can hear a call nearby and immediately respond to the situation. This not only aids in the department’s overall response time, but it puts residents at ease to see an officer respond more quickly to their emergency call.

Beta testing of the program will run through the summer of 2023.

For more news and updates on the Irving Police Department, visit CityofIrving.org/Police 

Now Hiring Lifeguards Ages 15 And Older

Need flexible hours or a job close to home while gaining skills for the future? Lifeguards are in the business of safety and prevention, making them ideal candidates for medical or first responder college programs.

Irving offers all classes needed to become a lifeguard.

The City of Irving Parks and Recreation Department hires Red Cross-certified lifeguards, ages 15 and older, for part- and full-time summer and year-round employment at its aquatic facilities. For more information and to apply, visit CityofIrving.org/Jobs 