Fayetteville's Dogwood Festival offers food, art, music, fun

The event – which includes rides, attractions, food and music and attracts thousands of visitors – runs through Sunday at Festival Park and other locations.

Food lovers got an early taste of the festival on Friday when the Cumberland County Sheriff's department hosted the annual Crime stoppers BBQ. Patrons enjoyed a plate of pulled pork, coleslaw, potato salad and a biscuit for just $6.

Art lovers can get up close to some works by Andy Warhol at the Fayetteville Arts Building.

Band .38 Special performs Friday night and alternative group Collective Soul is among the acts on Saturday. Reality star and singer Ray J will perform on Sunday.

Even the Fayetteville chief of police got in on the action. Chief Tom Bergamine took his turn in the dunking booth Friday afternoon. For two hours and $1 a ball, citizens took aim at the city’s top lawman. Proceeds from the dunking booth will benefit "Walking for the Cure.”

Downtown parking will be available during the festival. Officials suggest the Systel parking lot, 225 Green St., which charges $5 per day, and the free parking lots on Person Street and Hay Street.

A free off-site shuttle will be available from the Parks and Recreation facility on Lamon Street. The shuttle will run every 15 minutes. The designated pickup location is by Linear Park. The shuttle will run on Saturday from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

On Saturday, some members of the WRAL-TV staff will appear at the festival: