Bill > H159

Introduced Session

AN ACT ADOPTING THE FAYETTEVILLE DOGWOOD FESTIVAL AS THE OFFICIAL DOGWOOD FESTIVAL OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. Whereas, the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival is a three- to four-day festival held annually in the City of Fayetteville and is celebrated the fourth weekend in April. The Festival has been held for the past 41 years and began in 1982 due to the efforts of then-Mayor Bill Hurley; and Whereas, in 2022, over 215,000 people attended the Dogwood Festival; and Whereas, of that number, 70% attended previous festivals and 97% stated that they would attend future festivals; and Whereas, the Dogwood Festival produced an economic impact of $8,188,850 for the local economy; and Whereas, daily attendees spent around $23 per day and overnight guests spent about $130 per night, of which 83% stayed at least two nights; and Whereas, every year, the Dogwood Festival brings in national, regional, and local artists who entertain attendees to free concerts; and Whereas, over the years, the Dogwood Festival has earned many accolades, including being nominated as the "Best Festival in North Carolina" by Southern Living Magazine; and Whereas, for the years 2009, 2010, and 2013, the Dogwood Festival has been voted as the "Event of the Year" by NC Festivals & Events; and Whereas, in 2011, the Dogwood Festival was named a "Top 20 Event of the Year" by Southeast Tourism Society; and Whereas, in 2012, the Dogwood Festival was named a "Grand Pinnacle Winner" by International Festivals and Events; and Whereas, in 2018, the Dogwood Festival was named the "Kaleidoscope Event of the Year" by Southeast Festivals and Events Association; and Whereas, each year, the Governor of North Carolina is encouraged to proclaim the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival dates in honor of the Festival and commend its observance to all North Carolina citizens; and Whereas, the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival should be adopted as the official dogwood festival of the State of North Carolina; Now, therefore,

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Frances Jackson (D)*,  Marvin Lucas (D)*,  Charles Smith (D)*,  Diane Wheatley (R)*,  Vernetta Alston (D),  Cynthia Ball (D),  Terry Brown (D),  Wesley Harris (D),  Chris Humphrey (R),  Donny Lambeth (R),  Ya Liu (D),  Garland Pierce (D), 

Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate (on 04/27/2023)

Official Document