Fayetteville Dogwood Festival Names New Executive Director

The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival has its new leader, and he's someone familiar to many in the entertainment space in the community.

Jim Long Jr. was named the new Executive Director by the Board of Directors on Tuesday. Most notably, Long has served as the track promoter at Fayetteville Motor Speedway.

“The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival Board of Directors is pleased to announce Jim Long Jr. as our new Executive Director," said R. Andrew Porter, Chairman of the Board, in a news release. "Mr. Long’s proven business acumen will be an incredible asset to the stability and future of the Festival. Moreover, it is our hope that with the hiring of Mr. Long, alongside the unbelievable success of this year’s Dogwood Festival, that we will be able to build and develop a truly memorable Dogwood Festival experience for the community in 2025."

Long is an Army veteran, and the release said he has extensive knowledge in "project management, stakeholder engagement, and the entertainment industry."

“The Dogwood Festival is a significant part of our community. Not only does the community look forward to the Festival each year, but the region looks forward to visiting Downtown Fayetteville to experience a premier event," Long said. "I am honored to be selected to serve my community in such a way. I would also like to thank the past directors, board members, volunteers and marketing partners for their dedication and hard work in keeping the Dogwood Festival strong for over 40 years.”

The festival has been without an executive director since Sarahgrace Mitchell resigned after the 2023 spring event. The board put together a smaller footprint for the 2024 festival back in April, as they looked for new leadership.

They did not put on the summer Fayetteville After Five concert series during the interim, and there is no Fall Dogwood Festival planned for this year.

It's spooky season and some of North Carolina's best haunted attractions are right here in Fayetteville! There's some solid science behind the allure of safe, scary adventures. People are drawn to Halloween haunted houses and trails for a variety of psychological and social reasons. The controlled fear experienced in these attractions triggers a rush of adrenaline, endorphins, and dopamine in the brain, creating an exhilarating "fight-or-flight" response without any real danger. This biochemical surge can produce a natural high, similar to the runner's high, leaving people feeling energized and euphoric afterwards.

Haunted houses also offer a form of escapism, allowing people to immerse themselves in fantastical and thrilling scenarios far removed from everyday life. The elaborate sets, costumes, and special effects create a captivating alternate reality.

See? It's not just you loving those creepy jump scares. So, grab a pal and get spooky at some of the best haunted attractions North Carolina has to offer.

Located in Fayetteville, this attraction features three terrifying haunted experiences, including Surgeon Manor.
2990 Sunnyside School Road
Fayetteville, NC 28312
Ticket info here

Located at 7221 Stoney Point Rd, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28306. Ticket information here.

"Come see why our customer's come back year after year to support our haunted attraction. Giving our customers' memories that last and scares that are remembered for over 20 years."

This popular attraction in Youngsville offers five haunted attractions, including a Haunted Forest, Dark Trail, Hayride, and more!

Located at 2808 Cedar Creek Rd, Youngsville, North Carolina 27596.  Ticket info here

Located in Leland, this haunted trail features live actors, fog machines, chainsaws, and strobe lights. "Phobia Haunted Trail is a Halloween haunted house attraction located at 2859 Maco Rd NE Leland NC 28451. Phobia Haunted Trail is now in it's 7th season and it only gets better and scarier. It takes about 30 minutes to survive. Phobia Haunted Trail is a Fall seasonal weekend attraction, open Friday Saturday and Sunday from 8PM to Midnight STARTIG OCTOBER 4, 2024. This is a live actor event. "

Ticket info here

Offered at Black Ops Paintball in Fayetteville, this attraction combines a haunted hayride with zombie paintball shooting. Located at 2112 River Rd, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28312

Ticket info here 

Located at 914 Bud Johnson Road in Clinton, NC, Hollerin Haunts Hayride will scare the Yell out of you! With three different terrifying haunted attractions on site, there's enough fright to go 'round! Ticket info here