Starting October 18, Fayetteville will enforce strict clear bag rules at Festival Park. The change comes after city officials faced criticism over security concerns at the 2025 Dogwood Festival.
During an October 6 meeting, officials struggled to explain the six-month gap between May’s security approval and actual implementation. The delay sparked heated exchanges between council members and staff.
Brook Redding, Senior Assistant to the City Manager, outlined a four-tier security system based on event size and risk. Staff tested these rules during summer gatherings but stopped short of strict enforcement…