2023 Dogwood Festival; Here's what you need to know about the Fayetteville event

FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- The 41st Fayetteville Dogwood Festival is happening soon. Live entertainment, family activities, food, and community favorites take over the downtown area April 27 - 30.

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

Here's what you can expect.

Thursday, April 27 the Annual Cork & Fork starts at 6pm in Festival Park. This is a premier food and wine event where local chefs serve small bites paired with complimenting wines to celebrate those supporting the festival. Tickets for Cork & Fork are on sale through April 25.

Friday is the official kickoff for the Dogwood Festival. Beginning at 5pm, enjoy the KidZone and Midway of carnival rides. Later that evening, see live musical performances by David Nail and Ashland Craft. Then stay for the Boom & Bloom Fireworks that close out the day at 11pm.

Saturday, April 29 is when the big fun happens! In addition to the Midway and KidZone, browse the Street Fair filled with artists and vendors. Take on the Climbing Wall. Ride the Trackless Train. Check out the street performances and cheer for your favorites in the Ring Wars Carolina wrestling tournament. Buckcherry and Lit take the stage for the evening's concerts.

Finally, the fun continues on Sunday with the addition of the Car, Motorcycle and Truck Show. Who's Bad - The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience concludes the festival on the main stage.

PARKING

Special event parking will be in effect throughout the festival; however, on-street parking is available without the increased rates.

To view Downtown Fayetteville's available parking maps, click here.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

Festival rules specify that the following items are not permitted:

• pets (service animals allowed)
• bicycles/skateboards/rollerblades
• canopies
• coolers/outside containers
• weapons
• drones

For more information on the festival, visit thedogwoodfestival.com.

ABC11 Together is a proud sponsor of the 2023 Fayetteville Dogwood Festival.

TRAFFIC ALERT: Here are streets that will be closed through Sunday night

Festival organizers have already closed numerous streets for the 2023 Dogwood Festival. The following streets will not reopen until Sunday, April 30 at 10 p.m.

• 100, 200, 300 and 400 blocks of Hay Street

• Hay Street closed at Pittman Street

• Maiden Lane closed at Burgess Street

• Gillespie Street closed at the intersection of Otis Jones Parkway. Intersection to remain functional

• Green Street closed at the intersection of Bow Street and Old Street. Intersection to remain functional

• Maxwell Street closed from Hay Street to Franklin Street

• Person Street closed at Bow Street and Otis Jones Parkway. Intersection to remain functional

• Ray Avenue closed from Franklin Street to Rowan Street

On Sunday, Ray Avenue to reopen via Franklin Street for church attendees to access Old Street. It will close again at Noon.

Once the street closures occur, no vehicles will be allowed within the festival footprint. Drivers in the downtown area should follow the signage directed traffic around the closures.

Fayetteville Area System of Transit will have routes affected by street closures. Routes 4, 5 and 12 will run a detour April 28- 30. Plan accordingly for alternative routes and allow for additional travel time to and from destinations. Updates to the schedule will be provided as they are made available. Please visit our website at www.RideFAST.net or call (910) 433-1747 for more information.