A NorthPark Tradition Turns 30: Dallas CASA Parade of Playhouses Opens Today

At NorthPark Center, the walkways are lined with castles, cottages, and cartoon-inspired creations — and every one of them tells a story.

The 30th annual Parade of Playhouses kicks off today, the latest chapter in Dallas CASA’s long-running campaign to raise awareness and funds for children in foster care. Each year, the non-profit organization partners with NorthPark Center and generous local builders and architects to present a lineup of custom-designed children’s playhouses. These one-of-a-kind structures are displayed throughout the shopping center for two weeks before being raffled off to benefit Dallas CASA’s mission of providing volunteer advocates for children living in protective care.

The name CASA is an acronym for Court Appointed Special Advocates, but it’s also the Spanish word for home. In 1996, the organization launched Parade of Playhouses as a public fundraiser and awareness campaign, combining architectural ingenuity with a deep sense of purpose.

“At the time, CASA was a much smaller organization,” said event co-founder and Dallas CASA Board Member Dave Kroencke. “We needed not really a fundraiser per se, but a ‘friendraiser’ to raise awareness.”

Kroencke, an advertising executive and founder of Plot Twist Creativity, pitched the idea for Parade of Playhouses in 1996 when he read about a California chapter of CASA that auctioned off a playhouse.

“Reading that was like a spark where I’m thinking playhouses, a house, a casa… that made perfect sense,” he told CandysDirt.com.

What began with a few handcrafted houses has since become a major annual event, drawing more than a million visitors over the years and raising millions in support of CASA’s mission.

In 2025, the event returns to NorthPark Center from June 13 to 29 for its milestone 30th year. Presented by Crest Cadillac with KDC serving as Grand Marshal, this year’s Parade of Playhouses features 10 custom playhouses — plus a fan-favorite $1,000 NorthPark Center gift card.

Local architects, builders, and organizations once again donate their time and talent to create whimsical works of art — and hope. Some of the 2025 playhouse themes include a gas station, a farmhouse, a house inspired by Dr. Seuss’ “The Lorax,” and a tribute to the beloved cartoon character Bluey. The lineup continues the tradition of wildly creative and detailed playhouses that have included castles, rocket ships, windmills, movie theaters, submarines, barns, safari tents, and even a working car wash.

These are not Playskool plastic playhouses; they are works of architecture. They range from traditional to contemporary, with features like arched doors, hardwood floors, full electrical, and metal roofs. Some challenge the very idea of what a house can be with bold architectural designs that ignite the imagination.

Many contributors are repeat participants. LRO Residential and Amy Butscher with Butscher Construction are each building their 16th house for the 2025 event. For LRO, a Park Cities homebuilder, subcontractors often build the playhouse in the yard of a home under construction. For Butscher, the project is a family affair. Relatives, including her brother’s construction company, pitch in on the construction that takes place in Butscher’s own driveway.

Hosted by NorthPark Center since the very first Parade of Playhouses, the event owes much of its success to the long-standing partnership with the shopping center.

“NorthPark Center has been with us since the beginning, and we couldn’t do this without them,” said Kroencke. “A 30-year partnership is very special.”

“It’s the perfect event — it brings awareness of Dallas CASA to the general public, serves as a recruitment tool for volunteers and donors, and allows partner builders and architects to show off their creativity all while supporting a great cause,” he said. “To see how it’s evolved and grown to be even more special is so fulfilling. I’m such a proud parent!”

In 2024, Dallas CASA served 2,042 children removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect. The nonprofit’s trained and supervised volunteers are appointed by judges to ensure each child’s needs — educational, emotional, and therapeutic — are met. CASA volunteers often work closely with the child’s family, caseworkers, educators, attorneys, and medical professionals, acting as a constant, caring presence throughout a turbulent time.

For those visiting the display at NorthPark, the playhouses aren’t just creative structures — they symbolize a larger hope for safety, stability, and love for children who need it most.

“The children our incredible volunteers serve don’t dream of backyard playhouses. They dream of simpler things — a home where they are safe, protected and loved,” Kathleen LaValle, president and CEO of Dallas CASA, said. “But the playhouses represent something ingrained in all of us — a desire for a place to call home. That sense of home, acceptance and love is something we want for every single child.”

Raffle tickets to win one of the playhouses or the NorthPark Center gift card can be purchased online at dallascasa.org or at the shopping center during the event. Tickets are $5 each or five for $20. Winners will be randomly selected on June 29.

The 2025 Parade of Playhouses is made possible by generous sponsors including Presenting Sponsor Crest Cadillac, Grand Marshal KDC, and Parade Host NorthPark Center, alongside dozens of design and construction partners who make each year’s event a reality.

To learn more about Dallas CASA or become a volunteer, visit dallascasa.org.