2025 Dogwood Fall Festival

Thank you for your interest in being a vendor at the 2025 Dogwood Fall Festival! The Dogwood Fall Festival will take place October 18-19, 2025. This is the application for FOOD VENDORS. If you are not an FOOD VENDOR, please return to the event application page to complete the correct vendor application. Failure to complete the correct vendor application may result in an denial.   FOOD VENDORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTACTING THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH TO COMPLETE AN EVENT APPLICATION.  

 

FESTIVAL HOURS

Saturday 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Sunday 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Booth fees will not be charged until approval into the festival. The same payment type will be used at the time booth fees are charged. Invalid payment methods may risk loss of space. Vendor supplies their own tent, table, and chairs. Overnight security WILL be provided. APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY SEPTEMBER 12, AT 11:59 PM -- APPLICATIONS PAST THIS DATE/TIME WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.
 
APPLICATION DECISIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED BY OCTOBER 1ST.
 
Please note the following information: 

- Vendors will be notified via Eventeny/email of the decision.

- Staff cannot disclose the decision of your application. All decisions are made by the Vendor Committee.

- Additional information will not be supplied prior to the receipt of an approval email. 

- Upon approval, accepted vendors will be charged per the same payment type as paid during the application fee process. Expect a payment to process at the moment approval comes through. 

 

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR FOOD VENDORS: 

- Food Vendor spaces are designated for those who will be preparing food on-site and selling to patrons/festival-goers. 

- Food Vendors should be prepared to serve a high volume of people. 

- Soft drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages may be sold by food vendors.

 

- Food Vendors must abide by NC Health guidelines and will be inspected prior to opening. For more information contact the Cumberland County Health Department at 910-433-3660.

 

- Food Vendors are subject to Fire Marshall regulations.

- Be free of grease splashes, spills, and/or any grease containers. Grease disposal and clean-up is the responsibility of the Food Vendor - subject to fee if this occurs.

- Be free of trash or any other items on the ground. Trash must be disposed of properly in the appropriate trash can subject to fee if additional clean up is needed. 

Festival Hours: Schedule

• Saturday, October 18: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM

• Sunday, October 19: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
  Note: Live music continues into the evening on Saturday. Vendors are welcome to stay open later, but it's optional.

Fees: Payment

Booth fees will not be charged until after your application has been reviewed and approved. The same payment method used at the time of application will be charged upon approval. If your payment is invalid at that time, your space may be forfeited.

 

Vendor Setup: Supplies
Vendors are responsible for providing:

• Tent

• Tables and chairs

• Power source (see below)

Power: Generator
No power will be provided. If you require electricity, you must bring a quiet, compact generator that fits under your table or within your booth space.

 

Security: Overnight
Overnight security will be provided for vendor areas.

 

Connectivity: Payment
Wi-Fi will not be provided. If you plan to accept payments other than cash (such as card readers), please ensure you have your own hotspot or data-enabled device.

 

Insurance: Required
All approved vendors must provide proof of insurance for the event. Instructions will be sent upon approval.

 

Deadlines: Apply

• Application Deadline: September 12, 2025 at 11:59 PM

• Notification of Acceptance: October 1, 2025 (via email only)

Please note:

• All decisions are made by the Vendor Committee and are final.

• We cannot provide status updates or feedback prior to approval notifications.

• Be prepared for your payment to be processed immediately upon approval.

We’re looking forward to an amazing festival weekend and hope to see your handmade work on display!

READ BEFORE YOU APPLY: We are excited to announce an opportunity for artists in our community to share their voices and creativity. This showcase is dedicated to amplifying local talent in spoken word, poetry, and orchestral and acoustic music. Our goal is to provide a platform for artists to be seen, heard, and celebrated, while inspiring our community through the power of art. We will be promoting you leading up to and following the event on our social media and for our sponsors. 

 

This event is being hosted by Andre Sansbury Jr.; Ceo of Lost Voices LLC 

 

Andre Sansbury, known as Suavethepoet, is one of today’s most dynamic spoken word artists. A best-selling author and internationally recognized poet, he has been published 21 times, performed across the U.S. and abroad, and created an award-winning short poetry film. In 2024, he was honored with a Community Hero Award. In 2025, he was named to Fayetteville’s 40 Under 40 and selected as the East Coast Climate Justice Impact Representative and Climate Justice Taproot Resident. He is also the founder of Purpose Through Poetry, a program for K–12 students that uses creative writing to support mental health. He is a father, an activist , and a community leader. Wherever he performs, Suavethepoet delivers unforgettable experiences that move audiences to their feet.

 

Instagram: Suavethepoet2.0 & Lostvoicesempire

Facebook: Andre Sansbury Jr. 

 

For the purposes of this application, original arrangements and renditions of music is allowed. However, if the cover or rendition too closely resembles the original, your application may be denied. 

 

If you are a poet, spoken word performer, or musician, we invite you to apply!

 

We will have one rehearsal prior to the Fall Festival. 

 

Each artist will be performing on a stage during the Fall Festival October 19, 2025 between 11 am - 1:30 PM 

 

If you have any questions please reach out to Info@thedogwoodfestival.com . 

Gold Fall Sponsor -- $2,500 * 10 x 10 vendor spaced in a high-traffic area * Logo on event signage and social media promotion * 1 shared sponsor appreciation post on Facebook * Recognition during stage announcement *Logo listed on website for 6 months including before, during, and after the event

Silver Fall Sponsor - $1,000 * 10 x 10 vendor space * Name or logo included on website and sponsor banner *Included in general sponsor shoutout on Facebook

Volunteer with us at the 2025 Dogwood Fall Festival! Our organization is successful because of the hard work, dedication, and the love of our event by our volunteers. Our volunteers contribute their help through all types of activities from setting up at the festival to specialized services! Becoming a volunteer is a great and FUN opportunity to give back to the community and support the festival. Please complete this application if you are interested in joining us! We have a variety of tasks that will fit your interest, skills, and availability! Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age. To serve alcohol, volunteers must be at least 21 years of age. If you are a high school student or student group, please reach out to director@thedogwoodfestival.com. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us via email at info@thedogwoodfestival.com.

If you love your ride and want to show it off, please join us for a day of cars, motorcycles, music, sun and fun. This is not your typical car show. We will have categories for all ages of vehicles, motorcycles, ATV's, sling shots and off-road vehicles. In other words if it has wheels, we'll take it. We have limited spaces so register today! We will have several awards for Best of Show (All vehicles), Top 3 (each category), Most Unique (All Vehicles), People's Choice (All vehicles) and more. 

 

A special thank you to Hallow Knights for volunteering to help with the event!

 

REGISTRATION & ENTRY FEE

Pre-Registration will close on Friday, October 17 at 11:59 PM. Space is limited. Pre-Registration participants will be placed in the footprint first, then placement will be first come, first serve. 

$25 Entry Fee

 

Participants can register up to 10 entries per category. If you are entering a group with multiple vehicles/owners, please reach out to our office for a special group rate at info@thedogwoodfestival.com or 910-323-1934.

 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

9:00 AM Pre-Registration Check-In

10:00 AM General Registration

12:00 PM Show Begins

4:00 PM Awards

6:00 PM Load Out (may vary if you are staying for the headliners)

Hosting an event in October or the same weekend as the Dogwood Fall Festival? Let's lift each other up! 

 

We'd love to help get more eyes on your event by sharing it on our Facebook page with over 30,000 followers. Community over self is what we're all about, and we believe there is room for everyone to shine.