FRIDAY, APRIL 25 The Marshall Tucker Band
SATURDAY, APRIL 26 John Michael Montgomery
SUNDAY, APRIL 27 Mini Beach Music Festival
w w w.f aydog wood fe s ti val.c om
ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Scott Embry EDITOR Jason Beck CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Shirley Stallings and Tina Newcomb LAYOUT AND DESIGN Erin Binkley A special thanks to Carrie King of the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival. The entire contents of this magazine are copyrighted and may not be used or reproduced without written permission from the editors. Contact us: The Fayetteville Observer 458 Whitfield St. • Fayetteville, N.C. 28306 (910) 609-0657 • fayobserver.com
pg 2 • Fayetteville Dogwood Festival • April 25-27, 2014
Festival Rules • No coolers • No pets (except service animals) • No weapons of any kind • No bikes, rollerblades or skateboards • No distribution of literature • No inappropriate language or behavior • ZERO TOLERANCE FOR BAD BEHAVIOR
Contact the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival: faydogwoodfestival.com • 910-323-1934 145 Person Street • Fayetteville, NC 28301
Contents 4 6 8 10
DOGWOOD QUEENS Learn more about the 2014 Fayetteville Dogwood Pageant.
KENTUCKY COUNTRY Meet Saturday’s artist, country star John Michael Montgomery.
DECADES OF EXCELLENCE Meet the Marshall Tucker Band, busy touring the nation and putting out hits for more than 30 years.
WORKING LIKE DOGS Learn how the festival’s ‘Top Dogs’ put together a huge event with a limited staff.
14 18 20 28
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS Find out the when, where and how to have fun at the festival.
BATTLE OF THE BADGES Watch the men in uniform compete for pride and their favorite charity.
FOR THE KIDS Partnership for Children unveils this year’s KidStuff festival event.
THRILLS AND SPILLS Catch Dogwood’s newest event, a BMX stunt show.
April 25-27, 2014 • FayDogwoodFestival.com • pg 3
2013 Dogwood Festival Queens: Sarah Gracen Black Junior Miss Kenzie Alexis Lyons Teen Miss Jasmin Sessoms Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Festival Alyssa Nichole Jones Young Miss
It’s Good to be a Festival Queen BY SHIRLEY STALLINGS
pg 4 • Fayetteville Dogwood Festival • April 25-27, 2014
The judges were escorted to their seats as 40 beautiful and excited young ladies, all dressed as cowgirls, were backstage getting one last glimpse into the mirror to make sure that everything was perfect and in place. Waiting for the cue to “Rock My World Little Country Girl” they were ready to get the show on the road. As the girls hit the stage, you could feel the electric excitement from the audience as they clapped and yelled the name of their favorite contestants. The competition was on as the girls strutted the runway waving and throwing kisses to their supporters who were there to cheer them on! On April 12, 2014, 41 beautiful and talented young ladies from 30 Cumberland County schools nervously gathered at the Cumberland County Crown Theatre to see which four contestants would win the crowns and capture the title of yet another Dogwood Festival queen.
“Celebrating the 17th year, there were many new faces, however, time and time again, we see many of the same contestants competing year after year,” said Shirley Stallings, chair of the pageant since its existence. “Some contestants state they enjoy doing the pageant so much that they come back every year, while others vow to continue competing until they win the title and finally become a Dogwood Festival queen.” Next to winning their school pageant, this is the title that they work so hard to capture. The pageant is the first event of the year that is presented by the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival Board of Directors. There are four categories: Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Festival, Teen Miss, Young Miss and Jr. Miss. The top prize is a $1,000 cash scholarship plus scholarships to Methodist College, Fayetteville State University; and
Fayetteville Technical Community College. The winners get to preside over the upcoming Dogwood Festival. They will get introduced on stage to the audience Friday and Saturday night where more than 200,000 people are expected to attend over a three-day period. In order to participate in the pageant, all competing contestants must live in Cumberland County. Each age group is limited in contestants, giving each a 1 in 15 chance of winning. . The winners of the Miss Fayetteville Dogwood Festival pageant proudly spend their year serving as ambassadors for this great city of Fayetteville. Serving as a Dogwood Festival queen is an experience that will be honored and cherished for many years to come! The queens’ motto is “Once a Dogwood Queen – Always a Dogwood Queen.”
April 25-27, 2014 • FayDogwoodFestival.com • pg 5
John Michael Montgomery BY JASON BECK
John Michael Montgomery had the country airwaves covered in the 1990s. From love songs like “I Swear” and “I Could Love You Like That” to his upbeat “Sold at the Grundy County Auction,” this Kentucky native became a bona fide Nashville star. We talked to the multiplatinum recording artist about his upbringing with musical parents and his upcoming show on April 26 at the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival. You come from a musical family (John’s brother Eddie is half of the country duo, Montgomery Gentry). What about your upbringing made you guys so musically gifted? “My mom and dad played music when we were kids, so my older brother, Eddie, who is with Montgomery Gentry, they used to drag us around on the weekends when they played little parties or VFWs or campgrounds or things like that, and they’d get us up to sing. We were 5 and 6 years old at this point. My mom was a drummer and a singer in the band, and my dad was a guitarist and singer. Every weekend, if they weren’t playing music somewhere, people would just come over to our house, and we had amplifiers and guitars and drum sets set up in the living room and there was always a party. “We lived like gypsies growing up, and whenever rent was raised we moved to a different place … You never thought an opportunity like this would come for an old country boy like me. It was kind of like winning the lottery.” The song “I Swear” is one of the most popular wedding dance songs of all time. How does it feel to know your songs are being used during some of life’s biggest moments? “I grew up singing ‘Wind Beneath my Wings.’ That’s like the ultimate love song for me. When I heard a song like ‘I Love the Way You Love Me,’ ‘I Swear’ or ‘I Could Love You Like That,’ It just felt right. These are the kind of songs I love that I think stick with people’s lives, and they use them for things like weddings and important staples of their life. If you can find songs like that, those are career songs.”
“These are the kind of songs I love that I think stick with people’s lives...” pg 6 • Fayetteville Dogwood Festival • April 25-27, 2014
Your song “Letters from Home” had a big impact in Fayetteville when it came out, due to our large military population. “The reason that song really hit home for me is I have three uncles – the oldest one on my mom’s
side was in the Korean War and Vietnam War and I had two others in the Vietnam War. I was a little child back when that was going on. I stayed with my grandmother a lot, and I remember her getting letters from them. Being a huge supporter of the military, my uncles were always heroes to me. That song, for me, brought in a different angle.” What can your fans at the Dogwood Festival expect from one of your concerts? “I’ll make sure I get all the hits I have from the late 1900s. They always get a little bit of a laugh out of that. The 1990s were very good to me, no doubt about it. Everybody that comes has a favorite song of mine they want to hear, and I try to sing as many as I can at the show.” Do you have any new music coming out soon? “A new greatest hits with a 20th anniversary collaboration with All for One on ‘I Swear.’ It’s kind of hard to believe it’s been 20 years. “I’d like to maybe find another big ol’ power ballad and cut that. It’d be nice for me and my brother Eddie try to get in the studio and do a song together. All these years we’ve been on the road, this is the first year we were actually going to tour together some and we’ve never been in the studio together – so we are trying to work that out.”
April 25-27, 2014 • FayDogwoodFestival.com • pg 7
The Marshall Tucker Band BY JASON BECK
The Marshall Tucker Band was formed in 1972 and has a catalogue of gold and platinum albums. Since the ’70s, the band’s hit singles “Can’t You See,” “Heard it in a Love Song,” and “Fire on the Mountain” have been radio staples and are still covered by rising artists today. We spoke with lead singer and founding member Doug Gray about his band’s legacy and what fans can expect during the April 25 show at Festival Park. You guys play more than 200 shows a year. Where do you find your energy? “Over that period of time you have a lot of people who remember the original band, and we’ve all become friends. Most of the time people can tell me where they have seen us and I can remember that particular hall or show. That gives me the energy to do what I do and still have a good time at it.” You guys are from the Carolinas (Spartanburg, S.C.). After constant touring for more than four decades, do you guys enjoy playing close to home? “You get to see a lot of people that didn’t get a chance to see you in Charlotte, or Charleston or different cities. It’s always important … and our families will usually come and hang out and sing a little bit.”
pg 8 • Fayetteville Dogwood Festival • April 25-27, 2014
“These festivals mean a lot, because people get the chance to not just bring out their kids, but also their grandkids.” You’ve played it all, from arena rock to big outdoor festivals like the Dogwood Festival. Do you guys enjoy playing these types of shows? “The festivals are all great - we’ve played everything from Strawberry to Azalea and Barbecue. These festivals mean a lot, because people get the chance to not just bring out their kids but also their grandkids and get a chance to come back and relive a memory we created with them, whether it be 10, 20 or 15 years ago. Playing festivals is on top of the game for us.”
There have been a couple of recent country hits that mentioned Marshall Tucker Band (Lee Brice, “Parking Lot Party”/ Florida Georgia Line, “Cruise”). How does it feel to have such a lasting impact on the music industry after 40 years. “It lets people know we better find out who this Marshall Tucker is … whenever you hear (other musicians) have put your name in a song as being the party guys from a long time ago. I see kids come up to me who are 17, 18, 19 years old. They come up to me and say ‘do you have any CDs out, or where can I download your music?’” Last year The Marshall Tucker Band released a live album. Do you have any new releases coming out soon? “We just recorded a record in Zurich, Switzerland, and that turned out to be quite over the top, but we have probably another 25 CDs or records with at least 20 songs on each of them. And these are not re-makes. I venture to say there are 20-30 pieces of products we could put out there today.” What can Dogwood Festival attendees expect from a Marshall Tucker Band show? “To walk away happy and to walk away surprised by a band 43 years of age. Our music is happy music.”
April 25-27, 2014 • FayDogwoodFestival.com • pg 9
2014 Dogwood Festival Committee Ramona Moore says she has probably been on the board 20 years. She credits King’s leadership and the dedicated members for making each year a success.
BY JASON BECK
Every year, a handful of people plan, organize and host a festival that attracts more than 250,000 people. For the Dogwood Festival board, known affectionately as the ‘Top Dogs,’ the hard work is a family affair. Bryan Moore, the festival’s chairman, says the board – comprised of only 20 people – runs the entire festival. He has been a member of the board for seven years. “Everybody has their own position and their key. One handles the pageant, and two are in charge of the beer, and one is in charge of the food, and one is in charge of the money,” he said. “Everybody gets along. Everyone gives up family time or hours at work … I get down there at 6 a.m.
on Friday and I don’t see my family again until Monday.” Mark Wilderman, the festival’s secretary and publicity chair, further explained during a recent Dogwood Festival media event. “This festival is run by 99 percent volunteers,” he said. “We rely on volunteers throughout the entire festival.” Moore says there are only two paid staff members – Carrie King, the festival’s director, and an assistant. The rest of the board works purely for love of the event. Moore’s mother, Ramona, serves as a leadership figure for every member. “My mom has been on the board so long, no one knows how long she has been on there,” he says.
pg 10 • Fayetteville Dogwood Festival • April 25-27, 2014
“Every year you worry about certain things, but when you get to the weekend it all works out,” she said. “You make it through the weekend – and it doesn’t rain – and it’s such a relief and proud accomplishment the board has achieved.” Two years ago, the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival won three of the industry’s biggest awards, competing against larger events like the Kentucky Derby and Indy 500. Despite the award-winning quality, Bryan Moore said the festival’s incredible growth over the past few years is his proudest moment. “The greatest success of the festival was watching it grow from a small event to a festival of 250,000 people,” he said. “Now we are at the point where we can be selective of our vendors, and that is good. “Every year we learn a little more,” he said. “We used to be a huge festival trying to run like a mom-and-pop. Now we are trying to run a business.”
Board Members – Officers Bryan Moore Chairman
Debbie Godwin Immediate Past Chairman
Jackie Tuckey Vice-Chairman
Mark Wilderman Secretary
Carla Supples Treasurer
Operating Board of Directors Marian Adams VIP Chair
Ben Chambers Beer co-chair
Joe Coker Entertainment Chair
Lori Devincentis Mary Beth McKenzie Bryan Moore Ramona Moore Debbie Godwin Melissa Reid Volunteer Chair
Jim Rutherford Logistics Chair
Jerome Scott Shirley Stallings Pageant Chair
Carla Supples Mary Talley Beer co-chair
Jayson Timberlake Jackie Tuckey Vendor Chair
Mark Wilderman Publicity chair
Kevin Williamson
Staff Carrie King Executive Director
Karen Barbour Executive Assistant
Get Connected Finding the Festival online FayDogwoodFestival.com Our new interactive website provides you the opportunity to download our schedule of events and activities to your personal calendar! We’ve also included the sanctioned events in our general event calendar. All images and logos posted to our website are able to be downloaded to your computer in high resolution formats! This includes several YouTube videos too! Social Media During the weeks leading up to the festival, and during the days of the festival, be certain to check out our Facebook, Twitter accounts and mobile app for special promotions, giveaways, and exciting announcements. facebook.com/faydogwoodfestival Mobile App Download our free mobile app available on iPhone and Android smartphones to stay connected throughout the festival! This free app is an essential planning tool for everyone. Key features include alerts on your favorite bands, calendar schedule, details of the festival, maps of your favorite vendors and more! Sign up for notifications for your up-to-date reminders!
April 25-27, 2014 • FayDogwoodFestival.com • pg 11
Fun, Fundraising and Facial Hair BY JASON BECK
When the Dogwood Festival has finished, there is still another chance to catch some live music, eat great food and party for a good cause. On May 10, Cape Beard: Follicles of Freedom will host a benefit pig-picking for autistic children. All of the money raised by the local beard and mustache club will go to the Autism Society of Cumberland County. The event will begin at 1 p.m. and start out with family-friendly fun. The
pg 12 • Fayetteville Dogwood Festival • April 25-27, 2014
event will take place at The Rock Shop on King Street. “The event goes until 6 p.m. for the outdoor portion; that’s when it’s extremely family friendly,” said Steven Brack, a member of the club. “From there it starts moving indoors, and then it goes into the evening crowd.” Both portions of the event will be anchored by live music from local artists. Of course the main focus will be on tasty pork. “When you pay $5 to get a plate of pork, all of that money, the raffle money,
the dunk tank and all the money that comes in will go directly to the Autism Society. It goes directly into their hands – we don’t even deduct our expenses from it.” In addition to the food, the event will feature a car and bike show, bounce houses, fire truck display, and a climbing wall from The Climbing Place. The May event is one of several put on by Cape Beard every year. Last year the pig pickin’
event sold more than 300 pounds of pork. “We do three events a year,” Brack said. “This is the one that brings the most money currently. We have been up and around for three years and raised more than $14,000. “We hope it brings more people, which means more money, which means we can give more to the Autism society,” he said.
Dr. Oetker Ristorante Pizza is on tour and visiting events in their Ristorante Pizza Mobile Kitchen, handing out samples of Ristorante Pizza and coupons. The pizza display will have a photo experience where folks can share the photo on social media on the spot. The photo experience will include fun props for festival attendees to wear.
April 25-27, 2014 • FayDogwoodFestival.com • pg 13
Century Link Performance Area Schedule Saturday, April 26
Sunday, April 27
12pm ��������������������������������������������� The Devers Dancers
Noon ������������������������������ Dan & Friend (acoustic group)
12:30 ������������������������� Shadows of the Fire Belly Dance
12:30 p.m................... Shadows of the Fire Belly Dance
1pm ������������������������������������������������������������Musha Dojo
1 p.m. ��������������������������������������������������������� Musha Dojo
1:30 �������������������������������Dan & Friend (Acoustic group)
1:30 p.m. ����������������������������������������������� Cinco De Mayo (Zumba dancing with Coco)
2pm ������������������������������������������������������ Elevo Dynamics 2:30 �����������������������������������������������������������Kidsville Kids 3pm ������������������������� Shadows of the Fire Belly Dance 3:30 ����������������������������������������������������������� Musha Dojo 4pm ��������������������������������������������������������� Kidsville Kids 4:30 �������������������������Kerry’s Dance Beat Dance Studio 5pm ������������������������� Shadows of the Fire Belly Dance 5:30 ����������������������������������������������������������� Musha Dojo
2 p.m. �������������������������������������Yvette’s Dance Academy 2:30 p.m.
Shadows of the Fire Belly Dance
3 p.m. ����������������������������������������������������������Musha Dojo 3:30 p.m.
Yvette’s Dance Academy
4 p.m. ������������������������������������������ Horrible Folks Improv 4:30 p.m.
Kerry’s Dance Beat Dance Studio
5 p.m. ������������������������ Shadows of the Fire Belly Dance 5:30 p.m. �����������������������������������������������������Musha Dojo 6:00 p.m. ���������������������������������������������� Elevo Dynamics
pg 14 • Fayetteville Dogwood Festival • April 25-27, 2014
Bud Light Stage • Festival Park Friday, April 25
Saturday, April 26
Sunday, April 27
Presented by: Bryan Honda, NC Education Lottery & 96.5 BOB FM
Presented by: Bryan Honda, NC Education Lottery & 96.5 BOB FM
6:40 - 7 p.m. ������ Opening Remarks & National Anthem
Noon – 2 p.m.................... The Rollerz
7 p.m. �������������������������� Ethan Hanson 9 p.m...........The Marshall Tucker Band (Fireworks immediately following concert)
Presented by: 107.7 Old School Jamz
5 p.m. �������������������������������������� Outcry 7 p.m. ��������������������������������� CC Martin
1 p.m. ����������������������������� Classic Soul 2 p.m. ������������������������ Liquid Pleasure 3:30 p.m. ������������������The Entertainers
9 p.m. ������John Michael Montgomery
Street Fair Stage
Located in the parking lot between Hay Street Church and Cumberland County Library
Saturday, April 26
Sunday, April 27
Noon - 1:30 p.m. ���������������������������������� Student Showcase
12:30 - 1:30 p.m. ���������������������������������� Student Showcase
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. �������������������������������������������������Radio Boxx
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. ��������������������������������When Forever Comes
2:30 - 5 p.m. ����������������������������������������� Student Showcase
2:30 - 3:30 p.m. ������������������������������������ Student Showcase
5 - 6 p.m. ��������������������������������������������������� 80’s Unplugged
3:30 - 4:30 p.m.........Southview Baptist Church Praise Band 4:30 - 5:30 p.m. ����������������������������������� Student Showcase
April 25-27, 2014 • FayDogwoodFestival.com • pg 15
Cumberland County CROP Hunger Walk
Bloomin’ Events Mid-Carolina Senior Games 4/2/2014 - 4/21/2014 • Various times & locations $10 participant fee • Free to spectators Tracy Davis • tdavis@mccog.org • 910-323-4191 x 27 Held annually each spring – part of a network of 53 local games that provide statewide health promotion and wellness programs for adults 50 years of age and older
50th Anniversary Mustang Show and Celebration 4/5/2014 • 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. • FREE Fayetteville Area Transportation & Local History Museum • 325 Franklin Street Bruce Daws • bdaws@ci.fay.nc.us • 910-433-1457 Rev your engines for a visit to the museum. Come meet the Sandhills Mustang Club of Fay/Hope Mills and Stangs ‘R Us of Dunn on the museum grounds. Celebrate Ford’s legendary pony car and learn the history of Ford dealerships in Fayetteville.
City Market Kick Off 4/12/2014 • 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. • FREE 3Fayetteville Area Transportation & Local History Museum • 325 Franklin Street Bruce Daws • bdaws@ci.fay.nc.us • 910-433-1457 We are welcoming Spring and a fresh market season with the City Market kick-off. A market of local farmers and crafters is hosted on the grounds of the museum every Wednesday and Saturday. Fresh, locallygrown vegetables, fruits, eggs, honey and other farm products are offered for sale. These seasonal offerings along with plants, flowers, pottery, tea, soap, candles, jewelry and more can be purchased.
pg 16 • Fayetteville Dogwood Festival • April 25-27, 2014
4/13/2014 • 2 p.m. Registration • 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. Walk Donations accepted • Rev. Laura Lupton • cumberlandcropwalk@gmail.com • 910-818-9938 Walk starts at Evans Metropolitan AME Zion Church – 301 N. Cool Spring Street Downtown Raising money and awareness for Second Harvest Food Bank and Church World Service programs that change lives for the better.
YMCA Heroes Run 4/19/2014 • 8 a.m. • $20 registration fee Hull Road across from Parking Lot 5 • FTCC campus Elizabeth Dial • lizd.ymcanc@gmail.com • 910-426-9622 The YMCA Heroes Run is a non-competitive, non-chipped timed 5K & fundraiser run supporting YMCA youth programs “Girls on the Run” and “Stride.” The course has a few small hills and winds through scenic neighborhoods in Fayetteville and parts of the Dogwood Trail.
Spring Break Scavenger Hunt 4/22/2014 thru 4/25/2014 • 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. • FREE Fayetteville Area Transportation & Local History Museum • 325 Franklin Street Bruce Daws • bdaws@ci.fay.nc.us • 910-433-1457 Let the learning continue over the spring break holiday with a visit to the museum. Search for special local history facts hidden throughout our exhibits. This activity is perfect for 2nd to 5th graders who are eager to learn more about Fayetteville and the surrounding area.
Methodist University Concert Band & MU Jazz Monarchs 4/24/2014 • 7:30 pm Huff Concert Hall in Reeves Fine Art Building 5400 Ramsey Street • Methodist University Lise Glazier • lglazier@methodist.edu • 910-630-7243 The concert band plays a variety of concert band/wind band literature from throughout the 20th century. The Jazz Monarchs afford students at Methodist University the opportunity to develop improvisational techniques and perform a variety of jazz and contemporary styles.
Fayetteville-Cumberland Crimestoppers Barbecue 4/25/2014 • 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. • $6 per ticket 2800 Raeford Road • Highland Centre Duncan Hubbard • Fayetteville-Cumberland Crimestoppers dhubbard@holmeselectricsecurity.com • 910-624-6922 Proceeds benefit the local program and help our community in providing local law enforcement agencies with reward money for the local Crimestoppers program. All callers remain anonymous.
A Garden Party 4/25/2014 • 3 - 7 p.m. • $50 each Cross Creek Park on Green Street Boys & Girls Clubs of Cumberland County, Inc. Don Williams • dwilliams@ccbgc.com • 910-484-2639 An afternoon and evening of Southern tradition – dancing, entertainment, good food and friends
CEED’s Annual Retail Rally 4/25/2014 • 5 - 8 p.m. • FREE Skyview on Hay • 121 Hay Street Center for Economic Empowerment & Development (CEED) & Women’s Business Center Christy Barton • cbarton@ncceed.org • 910-323-3377 Support shopping locally! Local small businesses will be selling their unique items just in time for Mother’s Day.
Methodist University All Choirs Concert
Festival of Keyboards 4/27/2014 • 6:30 p.m. • FREE Snyder Memorial Baptist Church • 701 Westmont Drive Joy Cogswell • music@snydermbc.com • 910-484-3191 The concert will feature arrangements for four grand pianos. Music styles will range from classical, sacred, pop, patriotic and jazz.
Fayetteville Beautiful Citywide Cleanup 5/3/2014 • 9:00 a.m. - noon • FREE Kick-off will take place at Ramsey St. entrance to MLK Bobby Hurst • bobbyhurst@aol.com • 910-483-7104 Join the citizens of Fayetteville as we spruce up our City’s streets and by-ways.
The Fayetteville Duck Derby 2014 5/3/2014 • Campbellton Landing • 1122 Person Street James Wilson • fayettevilleduckderby.com • 910-483-5944 Adopt a Derby Duck for a chance to win a vehicle.
Pig Pickin’ for Autism presented by Cape Beard: Follicles of Freedom 5/10/14 • 2 - 6 p.m. The Rock Shop • 128 South King Street Steven Brack • capebeard@yahoo.com • 910-578-5196
4/25/2014 • 7:30 p.m. Huff Concert Hall in Reeves Fine Art Building 5400 Ramsey Street • Methodist University Lise Glazier • lglazier@methodist.edu • 910-630-7243
3rd annual family event held to benefit autism – event will include face painting, car & motorcycle show, raffles, a skate demo, dunk tank, art auction and live music.
Together, the different ensembles create an enriching and wondrous evening.
River Front Cancer Jam to benefit St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital
9th Annual Hogs & Rags Spring Ride 4/26/2014 • 7:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. • Registration 7:30 am $50 each • Airborne & Special Operations Museum Delana Faircloth • hogsandrags@gmail.com • 910-876-7272 A fundraising event for the benefit of Green Beret Foundation, Kidsville News Literary & Education Foundation and the American Cancer Society
5/17/14 • FREE Riverside Sports Center • 1122 Person St. Robert Kitchen • 910-237-1342 FishingToFightCancer@yahoo.com Free benefit concert featuring All My Rowdy Friends: The Ultimate Hank Williams Jr. Tribute Band.
Help the Kramden Institute close the digital divide in Fayetteville Donate used computer equipment and help children in need. Visit the CenturyLink booth at the Dogwood Festival for complete details or call 919-293-1133 for more information. April 25-27, 2014 • FayDogwoodFestival.com • pg 17
BAT TLE OF THE B A DGES BY JASON BECK
The battle is back, and this year it’s going to be epic. During last year’s Dogwood Festival, the Fayetteville Police Department doused the Fayetteville Fire Department’s hopes of winning the first ever Battle of the Badges. This year, the fire crew will attempt to avenge their loss in the test of skill, athletic ability and good-natured ribbing. “The Fayetteville Fire Department owes the Police Department from last year,” Richard Bradshaw, the assistant chief said. “We will even the series this year and have our revenge.” Of course, the police department has other ideas. “The Fayetteville Police Department is looking forward to another victorious year and upholding the motto of ‘Fayetteville’s Finest,’” said assistant chief Charles Kimble. The Battle of the Badges features friendly competition between two of the city’s most recognized public service departments. This year’s games will improve upon last year’s success and feature a tug of war, obstacle course and wing-eating contest. Well-known community figures will be selected as team captains to cheer on the warring sides.
For both departments it is a chance to showcase their important role in the community and raise money for favorite charities. “The event benefits the Fayetteville Police and Fire Departments because it exposes each organization to the public and it allows the public to observe the friendly but competitive nature that each organization possesses,” Kimble said.
pg 18 • Fayetteville Dogwood Festival • April 25-27, 2014
Bradshaw, never one to let the trash talk subside, said his department has flashier equipment. His crew enjoys showing off their tools of the trade. “It is a community involvement event, and we will have some of our equipment and vehicles on display as well as fire safety literature and some treats for the kids,” he said. “We want everyone to have fun and cheer us on, but also we’re there to answer any fire safety or general safety questions.”
April 25-27, 2014 • FayDogwoodFestival.com • pg 19
Play and Learn at the Festival BY TINA NEWCOMB
Partnership’s KidStuff, Where Playing is Learning, Celebrates with the biggest birthday party in Cumberland County
are given the opportunity to maximize this potential as well as meet their educational, social, and emotional needs. In the end, we are helping develop life-long learners who will lead our community in the future.
Imagine a gigantic birthday party where we are inviting 10,000 of our youngest friends – that’s what you’ll find at Partnership’s KidStuff this year, complete with birthday hats, games, treats and important information for parents regarding resources for their young children. The Partnership for Children of Cumberland County (PFC), a local nonprofit organization providing the support adults need to help children succeed, is celebrating 20 years of great outcomes for young children and their families. Our theme is Celebrating 20 Years Championing Children’s 1st 2000 Days.
So, you see, children really are the key to our future prosperity. And we know that education doesn’t start in kindergarten, it starts at birth. We must ensure that every child has his or her best first 2000 days to set them up for success.
The importance of a child’s first 2000 days
“Partnership’s KidStuff provides FREE, interactive activities for young children,” said Eva Hansen, President of PFC. “While the children are busy having fun in a safe environment, PFC educates families about resources available in the region and conducts a family needs assessment, so parents can explain their experiences and inform us of their needs.”
There are only 2,000 days between the time a baby is born and the first day of kindergarten. Each child’s life experiences during this period will have a lasting impact on a child’s learning potential, health and later success as an adult. A child’s brain continues to grow until about the age of six, so we must ensure that all children in our community
pg 20 • Fayetteville Dogwood Festival • April 25-27, 2014
More about Partnership’s KidStuff Partnership’s KidStuff at the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival is a favorite for many young families because it offers a fun space to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the festival, a space specifically designed for children under five and their families.
A young festival attendee admires her Spiderman face paint in the reflection of a window.
PNC Bank’s Grow up Great Mobile Learning Adventure interactive exhibit is back again this year and parents can visit with partners to include Army Community Service, Cumberland County Library & Public Information Center, Fayetteville Storm Water Services, and many child care providers and summer camps. Come join us in our new location, the grassy triangle of Festival Park in downtown Fayetteville, right along Cross Creek. Saturday, April 26, from noon - 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 27, from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. A special thanks to our supporters who made Partnership’s KidStuff possible through their generous contributions Each year, PFC hosts our signature fundraiser, the Soirée. This year, in conjunction with our 20th anniversary, the theme of the Soirée was the Roaring Twenties. We sold out, met many new friends and supporters and beat our fundraising goal. The proceeds from the Soirée were earmarked for two important outreach projects: Partnership’s KidStuff and the government and military affairs program known as Forward March. This year’s Breakaway Presenting Sponsor was Mosaic. Charlestonian Sponsors included: Bank of America, CityView Magazine, Embassy Suites Fayetteville/Fort Bragg, The Fayetteville Observer, Five Star Entertainment, and Village Family Dental. All together 99 sponsors and donors, generous raffle item providers and terrific volunteers made this event successful and enabled Partnership’s KidStuff to become a reality for the 10th straight year. Thank you!
April 25-27, 2014 • FayDogwoodFestival.com • pg 21
Cancer Jam:
Concert with a Cause
e b o t o t Pho itted m b u s Above: “All My Rowdy Friends,” a Hank Williams Jr. tribute band, will be featured at a charity concert on May 17 hosted by the Swamp Boys.
pg 22 • Fayetteville Dogwood Festival • April 25-27, 2014
BY JASON BECK
Spring is here – celebrate with a night by the river. Local charity The Swamp Boys has planned a fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Hospital for May 17 at the Riverside Sports Center, on the banks of the Cape Fear River. The featured entertainment? A stunning representation of Bocephus himself. The popularity of Hank Williams Jr. should drive attendees to the riverbank for this fundraising concert, Swamp Boys president Robert Kitchen said. “I’ve been doing events for 10 years now, and never had the response like I had for this one,” he said. It’s perfect timing for a nonprofit organization trying to get back on its feet. Last year, one of the group’s board members was accused of embezzling some of the money raised at other events. This is an attempt to get back on the right track, Kitchen said. “It’s going to be an all-day event, a free event accepting donations,” he said. “Donations will go to St. Jude Children’s hospital in honor of the Swamp Boys name to take care of some of the money that was stolen. Every hour we are going to count our donations, and every hour we are going to present how much we have raised to St. Jude.” In addition to the Hank Williams Jr. cover band, other performers such as Eric Smallwood, Winston Slate (2008 Florida Male Vocalist of the Year) and Classic Souls will perform. There will also be bouncy houses for the kids, classic cars, a mechanical bull, food vendors and beer. “It will be a full day of music,” Kitchen said. “It’s just going to be a great day.” In addition to the concert event, the annual Swamp Boys Catfish Tournament will take place the same day. The organization plans on holding a concert at the riverside amphitheater once a month during the summer.
April 25-27, 2014 • FayDogwoodFestival.com • pg 23
Now on the 3rd Friday! Gates open at 5 p.m. Headliners take the stage around 9 p.m. Event ends around 10:30 p.m. Exciting new prizes for patrons to enter to win!
2014 Schedule May 16 �����������������������������������������������������������������Erin Nenni Band & Josh Thompson (country) June 20 ����������������������������������������������������� Liquid Pleasure & Big Rick and the Bombers (Funk) July 18 ��������������������� Captain & the Keels (BeeGee’s tribute) and Heart Brigade (Heart tribute) August 15 ��������On the Boarder (Eagles tribute) and Tuesday’s Gone (Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute) This event is a collaborative effort that is presented by R.A. Jeffreys – local distributor of Budweiser products and hosted by the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival.
pg 24 • Fayetteville Dogwood Festival • April 25-27, 2014
Cash or Credit? Dogwood booths to accept cards during this year’s festival.
BY JASON BECK
Dogwood Festival organizers want to give attendees a choice – paper or plastic. Now, official event booths will accept major credit and debit cards, benefiting both the festival and customer. Some of the areas served will be the beer areas, Dogwood merchandise tents and the official Dogwood Festival food booth. “We are strongly encouraging all vendors to take credit cards,” said festival director Carrie King. “We encourage our vendors to be a little more innovative and make it easier for people to spend their money.” Still, as of last year, King says less than 3-5 percent of festival vendors take credit cards. She hopes the festivalowned stands can lead by example. “We want to eventually move Dogwood to a completely cashless event,” she said. “That’s a ways in the future.”
April 25-27, 2014 • FayDogwoodFestival.com • pg 25
2014 Partners and Sponsors Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
Bronze Sponsors Apartment Finder • Hay Street United Methodist Church • Highland Paving
Business Partners Independent Insurance Group • Kevin Williamson Construction • JEB Designs Neff Rental • United Way of Cumberland County
pg 26 • Fayetteville Dogwood Festival • April 25-27, 2014
Event Sponsors and Partners Concert Sponsors
Kidstuff Area
Performance Area
Volunteer Partner
Street Fair Stage
Stage & After 5 Sponsor
Official Soft Drink
Boom & Bloom Kick-Off Sponsor
VIP/Sponsor Area
Car Show
Volunteer Hospitality
Express Beer Service
VIP Area - Hospitality
Skibo Square & Cross Creek Mall
April 25-27, 2014 • FayDogwoodFestival.com • pg 27
Bikes Fly High on Hay Street Festival adds BMX show to footprint BY JASON BECK
One of downtown Fayetteville’s busiest streets will transform into a two-wheeled thrill show during this year’s Fayetteville Dogwood Festival. Professional BMX riders from Solution Action Sports will invade the 400 block of Hay Street, with three performances throughout the day on Saturday. What can festival attendees expect? High flying, trick riding and something a little different than the typical relaxing bicycle ride. “We are bringing a pretty cool BMX course, and we are going to do BMX demos for the guests of the festival,” said Justin Hardin of Solution Action Sports. “We are bringing in some really good talent, some really good riders and are going to be performing some of the biggest tricks right there at the festival.”
pg 28 • Fayetteville Dogwood Festival • April 25-27, 2014
The course will include an 8-foot-tall ramp and other obstacles designed to test the nerve and limits of the trick riders. “A lot of people have never seen this stuff in person before, and we are bringing it to them,” Hardin said. “It’s what you see in the X-Games, that type thing.” As for the ramp towering above Hay Street? “They’ve got to be big ramps to go big,” he said. The experience is an interactive event for the entire family. The riders will also present a bicycle helmet safety lesson for the audience and skits to liven up the act, Hardin said. “After all of our shows all of the spectators get a chance to meet and greet the athletes,” he said. “We also give out free posters as well, so everyone can walk away with something.” The performers also throw out T-shirts to the audience during each show. The BMX stunt show will feature three performances at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturday. For more information about the athletes, visit solutionactionsports.com.
“A lot of people have never seen this stuff in person before, and we are bringing it to them.”
April 25-27, 2014 • FayDogwoodFestival.com • pg 29
Budweiser Brewmaster Tour The Budweiser Brewmaster Tour is a one-of-a-kind mobile experience providing guests 21 and older a glimpse of the brewing process. Modeled after Budweiser’s Brewery Tour, this 48-foot trailer is a scaled, intimate model that offers consumers a step-by-step view of the 30-day brewing process of Budweiser. Budweiser’s brewmasters lead this fully immersive experience by interacting with the actual ingredients, smelling aromas off the brewkettle, experiencing the cool aging cellars and tasting the finished product (where legal). After the tour is completed, visitors are encouraged to hang out in the biergarten inspired bar area. There, they can sample Project 12 beers (when seasonally available) or purchase Budweiser gear through the online store. Admission is free of charge.
pg 30 • Fayetteville Dogwood Festival • April 25-27, 2014