Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1475157
WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM AUGUST 3 - 9, 2022 UCW 17 EVENT Sunset approaches for this year's Fayetteville After 5 concert series by ASHLEY SHIRLEY e first day back to school for kids in Cumberland County, quickly approaches, and the urge to fit one last hurrah into the waning summer season is undoubtedly on the minds of families across the region. One summer activity set to wind down in the coming weeks is Fayetteville's beloved summer con- cert series, Fayetteville After 5, in Festival Park. From 6 to around 10: 30 p.m. every second Friday since June 10, people have gathered for delicious food and live music in a family-friendly atmosphere. On Aug. 12, the season's last concert, Festival Park gates will open at 5 to welcome local favorite 10 O'Clock High to the Fay After 5 Stage. At 8 p.m., Zoso, a Led Zeppelin Experience, will take the audience back to the glory days of Robert Plant and Jimmy Page with a performance called "the most ac- curate and captivating Led Zeppelin live show since the real thing." No night of amazing music would be complete without a plate of amazing food to accompany it. Fay After 5 does not disappoint, and a carousel of food trucks will be on-site to whet every appetite. Aug. 12th's offerings include Korean fusion, country favorites, Italian ice and donuts. e concert series is a return to normalcy after COVID-19 restrictions limited entertainment venues and crowd sizes for much of 2020 and 2021. Up & Coming Weekly spoke with Sarahgrace Snipes, executive director of the Dogwood Festival, as she reflected on this year's concert series. "e most exciting part of Fay After 5 has defi- nitely been seeing people at Fay After 5," she said. "Last year, our turnout was not as high because we were coming off the mass gathering restrictions, so it is exciting to see the same event again with a higher attendance rate." ough the weather, with its unpredictable storms, humidity and high temperatures, is always a challenge for outdoor venues this time of year, Snipes is happy to see people coming together de- spite the heat. "People are absolutely excited to be spending time with others. During Fay After 5, you'll find several friends and especially couples, dancing with each other in a close way that you would not have seen this time two years ago." Ultimately, as the series comes to a close, Snipes hopes the Dogwood Festival has reinforced its position in the community and its commitment to quality events for the people of Cumberland County. "I hope that by continuing Fay After 5 this sum- mer, our organization has increased the commu- nity's awareness that the organization is still strong and continuing our events as we have in the past and before COVID-19," she said. e Fayetteville After 5 Concert Series is free and open to the public. Outside food, drink, canopies and coolers are not permitted on-site. However, camping chairs, blankets, and service animals are more than welcome. Festival Park is located at 335 Ray Ave. in Fayetteville. For more information about Fay After 5, visit https://www.thedogwoodfestival.com/fayetteville- after-five. Fayetteville After 5 summer concerts bring live music and good food to Festival Park every second Friday of the month until Aug. 12. (Photo of previous event courtesy Dogwood Festival) ASHLEY SHIRLEY, Staff Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com. 910-484-6200 Questions about our Readiness Programs? Call (910) 678 - 8351 -ADULT HIGH SCHOOL -ASVAB PREP -ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE -GED® / HISET® -MATH & ENGLISH REVIEW COURSES Enter Your NEW SEASON with FTCC's College & Career Readiness programs! Scan QR CODE for more information