Saturday, October 12th, 2024
Dear Participants,
We sincerely apologize for the postponement of the Dallas event this weekend. We understand this is the second time, and we recognize the frustration this brings.
We want to provide you with details regarding the circumstances that led to this decision. Our team has dedicated staff who manage permits for our events, which we take very seriously across all 37 locations worldwide. Each venue has different requirements, and we ensure compliance.
Last October, MUDGIRL held an event at Cousins Paintball without any permit issues. In February, we were informed again that no permit was necessary for our April event. While that event was postponed due to flooding, we faced no permit complications.
However, just 48 hours before this weekend’s event, we were contacted by the Fire Marshal’s department, requesting a Mass Gathering permit. This was unexpected, as we were unaware that such a permit was required.
Despite our efforts to expedite the permit application and having all necessary safety plans in place, Judge Jakie Allen from Kaufman County abruptly denied our request for the Mass Gathering permit. The stated reason was that there is a 45-day processing period for applications, regardless of our efforts.
While some municipalities work to accommodate events on short notice, this county does not. They seem indifferent to the positive impact our event has on participants and the community.
Upon further investigation with our legal team, we found that, according to the Texas Mass Gathering Act, we do not qualify as a mass gathering, as we do not expect over 2,500 attendees for more than five continuous hours. We communicated this to the judge and offered to modify our plans, but the threat of arrest for our team members was reiterated by both the judge and law enforcement. Unfortunately, we received no formal cancellation notice.
Given these circumstances, we felt we had no choice but to comply. We are equally frustrated and disappointed. Despite our considerable investment in making this event a success, our morale has been affected.
We understand your disappointment and want to make things right. If you cannot attend the rescheduled event in November, we are offering refunds. Please contact us at for assistance.
We are a small family-run company dedicated to our participants, and while we face significant expenses, we want to support our community. You may also choose to keep your ticket as a voucher for future events, including our return to Dallas in 2025.
Since our inception in 2017, we have consistently accommodated our participants, even through rescheduled events. We survived the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic thanks to our dedicated MUDGIRL community, and we remain committed to providing exceptional experiences.
We promise to return to Dallas with an amazing event.
Thank you for your understanding.
Sincerely,
Kevin and Gary Pillu
Owners of MUDGIRL