This story first appeared in CityView Magazine’s “The Spring Issue” April 2026 edition.
In Fayetteville, as the season transitions from a brisk, cold winter into the inviting warmth of spring, the community comes together to blossom alongside the dogwoods, North Carolina’s official state flower.
And one of the city’s most anticipated celebrations of the year carries its name: The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival.
The festival has been a riveting part of the community since 1982, held in April and October. This year, the committee and staff, led by Executive Director Kaylynn Suarez, have decided to switch things up for the festival’s 44th iteration from April 24 to 26. The theme is a throwback to the 1990s and early 2000s.
There will be new entertainment and activities, 161 vendors—26 of which are food and drink vendors—and live shows.
Eventgoers can also expect tweaks to annual staples. Unlike previous years, the carnival and its rides will be held at Festival Park, and the Car, Motorcycle, and Truck Show will take place on Saturday instead of its traditional Sunday time.
The festival has also been holding events, like a Bridgerton-themed Secret Garden Silent Disco in March, leading up to the main celebration in late April.
An upcoming one is the Annual Cork & Fork premier, a food and wine event, which will take place on Thursday, April 23.
This event is ticketed with food and drinks included and will highlight a new downtown venue: 143 Maxwell, a boutique event space. There will also be a silent auction, with entertainment from 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Funding from Cork & Fork and others like it helps keep the festival free to the public.
On Monday, Suarez told the Fayetteville City Council the festival needs additional financial support from the city or it’s in jeopardy of not returning in 2027.
Events Throughout Weekend
Festivalgoers can enjoy certain activities throughout the three days: a midway, 161 vendors, a Kid Zone, booths, and activities by the festival’s sponsors, a blood drive, and a mechanical bull.
The Kid Zone near Festival Park will be filled with kid-friendly activities. Kids can enjoy Skoolie Xpress (a mobile art studio), face painting, arts and crafts, and other hands-on activities.
Friday, April 24
The festival will kick off with upbeat live entertainment on the Festival Park stage. The headliners of the night will be the early-2000s hip-hop duo, the Ying Yang Twins. Local talents, Fayetteville’s own DJ Yodo and Trev Truth, will also grace the stage.
This night is designed to be a throwback for adult audiences, but families of all ages are welcome to this free concert.
Park gates open at 4 p.m. with entertainment running from 5–9:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 25, Through Sunday, April 26
The Car, Motorcycle, and Truck Show will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.
The Kid Zone will feature special events on Saturday: The Cumberland County Literacy Council, through United Way of Cumberland County, is hosting four storytimes, and Fascinate-U Children’s Museum is putting on a science fair.
Performers Echostone, DJ Problem, and Saved by the 90’s will be on the mainstage at Festival Park from 2–9 p.m on Saturday.
Festivalgoers can experience The Creative Corner, a poetry and spoken word slam hosted by poet LeJuane “El’Ja” Bowens on both Saturday and Sunday.
On the last day of the festival, Pure Barre, Dancing Without Sin Fitness, 9Round, and Burn Boot Camp will host free classes.
Park gates open at 11 a.m., and activities will run from noon–9:30 p.m. on Saturday. Park gates will also open at 11 a.m. on Sunday, with activities running from noon–8 p.m.
Where to Park and Safety
Attendees can pay to park in downtown parking garages and lots, except the Ray Avenue Lot, during the festival. There is ADA-accessible parking available throughout downtown, including Hay Street Deck’s ground floor and behind City Hall at City Plaza 1 and City Plaza 2 parking lots.
The festival will comply with the City of Fayetteville’s clear bag policy for events in Festival Park with standard security checks, aiding in safety for the community.
A Longstanding Nonprofit
The festival has been a nonprofit for 44 years, putting on events for the community with the help of volunteers and sponsors.
“This is a labor of love for the community, we are proud of where we live and we want our community to be just as proud as we are,” Suarez said. “Although this is a transient town, there is room for everyone to be a part of the same tapestry.”
The nonprofit organization also recently changed its status from 501(c)(4) to 501(c)(3), which gives the organization the ability to apply for more grants and funding opportunities. Donations to the nonprofit can now be made tax-deductible.
The festival’s mission is to celebrate the arts, support local businesses, and provide accessible opportunities for multicultural expression as well as economic growth.
“We want to remind the community of the times when people from all walks of life and different backgrounds all felt like neighbors,” Suarez said. “We are all still neighbors. Let’s bring back our Fayetteville pride.”
Jackie Tuckey, chair of festival’s Board of Directors, and Simone Johnson, chief operating officer, along with the many volunteers and sponsors, believe that this festival is a representation of how strong our community is and how well we come together.
“There is something for everyone,” Tuckey said. “This is the echo of the city.”
