Dogwood Festival in Full Bloom

The early spring has damaged dogwood tree and a weekend of rain is in the forecast, but the festival will still be in full bloom.

The festival was in full swing Friday as golfers came out to give it their best shot at the Dogwood Children's Classic to raise about $65,000 for sick children. Wet greens did not damper spirits.

"Well, my golf game in different weather is terrible to begin with, but it's not that bad," says golfer Maurice Licardo.

More than a thousand people also stopped by the Crimestoppers booth to eat barbecue to raise money for the program.

"It shows the community is very supportive of Crimestoppers, and they want to be part of the dogwood festival because it's a community event," says Sgt. Steve McIntosh of the Fayetteville Police Department.

The festival has been packed into four days this year instead of the traditional 10, so there is a lot to do in a short period of time, including the circus and street fair.

"More people say they like it centralized over one weekend, and that's what we are doing," says festival organizer Sharon Caughey.

On Saturday, kids were be treated to a puppet show, a hula hoop contest and other fun festivities. Two stages set up at each end of Hay Street kept crowds entertained with great music.

The Dogwood Festival runs through Sunday evening.