Spring brings fairs, food and live entertainment to Fayetteville: Events to check out
With warmer weather comes a handful of Fayetteville-area fairs, festivals and other events to look forward to.
Residents need not travel far to find live music, local food, carnival rides and children’s activities around Fayetteville this March, April and May.
Spring brings a food festival in its third year; an Apollo Theater-inspired variety show; St. Patrick's Day celebrations; the city's monthly festival; a variety show; the Dogwood Festival; the Fort Liberty Fair; and a hair show at Segra Stadium.
Take out your calendars; here are a few upcoming events to check out.
Concerts this month: Bob Dylan, Kevin Hart? Whoa. Fayetteville’s Crown Complex on a roll with big-name shows
Fayetteville Eats
At least two dozen restaurants will set up shop outside the Crown Coliseum for Fayetteville Eats, the Fayetteville Marksmen's pregame festival event offering ticketholders food and drink samples from food vendors and entry to the hockey game.
The event runs from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. — with 3 p.m. entry for VIP ticket holders — and the Marksmen face off against the Knoxville Ice Bears at 6 p.m. March 16.
Fayetteville-area businesses, like Bado’s Louisiana Cuisine, Cool Beans Coffee & Ice Cream, Flip Flop sauce, Gusto Napoletano Pizzeria & Italian Restaurant, Kiss Me Cakes, Melvin’s At Riverside, Paddy’s Irish Pub, Rolling Tacos Pupusas, Taste of the Islands, Tisdale’s Southern BBQ and Sweet Carolina Delights will be on-site serving samples.
Bubba’s 33, Crave Hot Dogs & Barbecue, Crumbl, Carrabba’s, Eggs Up Grill, Jason’s Deli, K&W Cafeteria, Maple Street Biscuit Company, and Walk-On's are among the chains that will serve up samples.
The festival coincides with the Marksmen’s rebranding, a tradition where minor league teams change their name, logo and colors for a single game. Staying true to the focus on food, the team will rebrand to the Carolina Reapers, a chili pepper that's among the hottest in the world.
Tickets can be purchased online or at the door and start at $35 for early bird pricing through Sunday and start at $40 on Monday.
Date: 3:30 p.m. March 16
Address: Crown Coliseum, 1960 Coliseum Drive, Fayetteville
Cost: $30 to $50
Website: marksmenhockey.com/fayettevilleeats
St. Patrick’s Day at Dirtbag Ales
St. Patrick’s Day falls on the third Sunday of March, but Dirtbag Ales is celebrating all weekend long.
The festivities kick off Friday with beer releases, food trucks and a Celtic band. Green beer is served all day Saturday, with a beer mile race in the morning and ‘80s music into the evening. Sunday marks the start of the Dirtbag Farmers Market season, with vendors selling their wares from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Date: March 15-17
Address: 5435 Corporation Drive, Hope Mills
Cost: Free to attend
Website: dirtbagales.com
Irish You Would Downtown Fayetteville Bar Crawl
Cool Spring Downtown District organizes an annual St. Patrick’s Day bar crawl, and this year is no different.
Slated for March 16-17, participating businesses like Winterbloom, Gaston Brewing Company, Cru and Bruce’s Sportsbloc and Lounge will have free goodies and swag while supplies last.
Date: March 16-17
Address: Downtown Fayetteville
Cost: Free to attend
Website: visitdowntownfayetteville.com
Fourth Friday
Fayetteville’s monthly festival, held from 6 to 9 p.m. on the fourth Friday from March through October, returns March 22. Vendors, artisans, musicians and other performers will take to downtown Fayetteville.
Date: March 22
Address: Downtown Fayetteville
Cost: Free to attend
Website: visitdowntownfayetteville.com
Yaya’s Amateur Night
Book Black Women founder Ayana Washington hosts Yaya’s Amateur Night at 7:30 p.m. April 11 at the Cape Fear Regional Theatre. Performers across disciplines will compete for a cash prize of $1,000. The winning artist also receives an invitation to perform at the Juneteenth Block Party and services like headshots, studio sessions and marketing services.
Washington said the event is inspired by “Showtime at the Apollo,” a variety show filmed at the Apollo Theater in New York City’s Harlem neighborhood. The show first aired in 1987, and featured up-and-coming, professional and amateur competitions.
Washington is on the panel of judges, which includes Xavier DeBrough of Fayetteville Next, recording artist Yael Hilton, Councilman Malik Davis and Dancing Without Sin owner Stephanie Kegler.
Want to bring your talent to the stage? Auditions are March 16. Sign up at bookblackwomen.org.
Date: 7:30 p.m. April 11
Address: Cape Fear Regional Theatre, 1209 Hay St., Fayetteville
Cost: $25
Website: bookblackwomen.org/events
Dogwood Festival
The Dogwood Festival returns to the city for its 42nd year on the last weekend of April.
The festival unofficially kicks off Thursday night with Cork and Fork at Festival Park, a paid food and wine event where ticketholders can indulge in dishes and drinks from local, regional and chain restaurants.
PHOTOS: Day two of the 2023 Fayetteville Dogwood Festival
PHOTOS: Day one of the 2023 Fayetteville Dogwood Festival
Friday through Sunday will bring live music, food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, children’s activities, a BMX bike show and car, motorcycle and truck show to downtown Fayetteville.
Music acts have yet to be announced.
Attendance is free, but paid VIP tickets for concerts are available.
Date: April 25- April 28
Address: Festival Park, 335 Ray Ave, Fayetteville
Cost: Free to attend
Website: thedogwoodfestival.com
Fort Liberty Fair
The annual Fort Liberty fair returns to the area in the first week of May. The fair is open to the public and will feature carnival rides and live entertainment, according to the Fort Liberty Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation website.
Gates open at 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets include admission, unlimited rides, children’s activities and entertainment. Parking is free.
Date: May 1-12
Address: Fort Liberty Fairgrounds, 1500 Howell St., Fort Liberty
Cost: $9 to $21
Website: liberty.armymwr.com/calendar/event/23406
Spring 2024 fairs, festivals & events in Fayetteville, NC
Welcome to PLUSH Jungle hair and beauty show
Anedra Walls, who brings a plus-size fashion show to the city each fall, is planning the Welcome to PLUSH Jungle hair and beauty show at 6 p.m. May 18 at Segra Stadium.
The main attractions are displays of exotic and editorial hair art centered around the jungle theme on live plus-size models, brought to life by local hair professionals. Estheticians, barbers and nail technicians will also show off their craft.
Related: Plus-size fashion show puts Fayetteville models, designers in the spotlight on Saturday
The best in show will be awarded a cash prize.
Tickets start at $40 and can be purchased at elegancewedding4u.com.
Date: 6 p.m. May 18
Address: Segra Stadium, 460 Hay St., Fayetteville
Cost: $40 to $65
Website: elegancewedding4u.com
Taylor Shook writes about food, dining and culture for The Fayetteville Observer. She can be reached at tshook@gannett.com or on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Spring 2024 fairs, festivals and events in Fayetteville, NC
