TO: Mayor and Members of City Council
THRU: Douglas J. Hewett, ICMA-CM, City Manager
FROM:
DATE: April 27, 2026
RE:Title
Approve Dogwood Festival Funding Support of $75,000.00
Title
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COUNCIL DISTRICT(S):
Council District(s)
All
b
Relationship To Strategic Plan:
Goal IV: The City of Fayetteville will be a desirable place to live, work, and recreate
Objective 4.2 - To enhance diverse recreation, leisure, and cultural opportunities.
Executive Summary:
At the April 6, 2026, City Council Work Session, Ms. Kaylynn Suarez, Executive Director of the Dogwood Festival presented the Festival’s request for City support and outlined several options for assistance. Based on that presentation and subsequent discussions with Council Members, there appears to be support for a one-time grant of $75,000 to assist with the 2026 Festival. Staff also seeks Council direction to develop a proposed multi-year funding framework for FY27, FY28, and FY29 tied to defined performance measures and annual reporting.
Background:
The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival is a long-standing community event and one of downtown Fayetteville’s most visible annual attractions. For many years, the Festival has served as a community gathering point that supports downtown activity, local business engagement, tourism, and civic pride. The 2026 Spring Festival is scheduled for April 24-26, 2026, and continues to be offered as a free community event.
The City has historically supported the Festival through both direct financial assistance and substantial in-kind services. Past City funding support was provided in 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023, and City departments continue to assist with a range of event-related operational needs each year.
Issues/Analysis:
A one-time grant, around City Council’s consensus of $75,000, is a practical way to respond to the request presented to Council on April 6, support this year’s Festival and the continuing sustainability of the Dogwood Festival organization. Support also represents a meaningful but measured investment by the City while allowing Council and staff to consider a more structured approach for future years.
As noted in the April 6 presentation, the City provides substantial in-kind support for Festival operations, including assistance connected to event logistics, public safety, site support, and other operational needs.
With Council direction, staff will return later this year during the budget process with options for possible support in FY27, FY28, and/or FY29 tied to defined performance measures and annual reporting. Potential metrics could include attendance estimates, participation by Fayetteville-based vendors and small businesses, private sponsorship and fundraising performance, tourism or visitor spending indicators, annual financial reporting, and a post-event summary addressing public safety coordination, downtown activity, and the use of City funds. Future support options could also be structured to encourage increased private fundraising, support by other public entities, and earned revenue over time, with City participation adjusted accordingly.
Budget Impact:
Approval of this item would authorize a one-time $75,000 support and operations grant for the 2026 Fayetteville Dogwood Festival. Funding source would be identified by staff consistent with available FY26 resources and brought forward for the necessary budget action, if required. Any proposed funding for FY27 through FY29 would return to Council as part of future budget deliberations and would be contingent upon annual performance measures and available funding.
Options:
1. Approve a one-time $75,000 support and operations grant for the 2026 Fayetteville Dogwood Festival and direct staff to develop a proposed FY27-FY29 funding framework tied to measurable outcomes.
2. Approve a different amount and provide further direction to staff regarding future funding expectations.
3. Do not approve funding support and provide further direction to staff.
Recommended Action::Recommended Action
Approve a one-time $75,000 support and operations grant for the 2026 Fayetteville Dogwood Festival and direct staff to return with a proposed multi-year funding framework for FY27, FY28, and FY29 tied to defined performance metrics and annual reporting.
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Attachments:
Proposal from Dogwood Festival
Proposal for Legacy Founding Sponsorship