As spring continues to tempt our region, Fayetteville is pulling out all of the stops to welcome the season with its annual celebration of spring that we all know as the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival. Held in the historic downtown and Festival Park, the three-day festival welcomes more than 200,000 visitors to the city center all with one thing in mind — having a good time.

The festival, which kicks off on Friday, April 26, features live music, a street fair, food, friendly competitions and a midway. As in year’s past, the festival has brought some of the top names in entertainment to the area, as well as giving local performers a chance to share their talent with visitors to the festival. This year is no exception.

On Friday, the festival opens with the Bloom and Boom Kick-off Party featuring southern rockers, The Marshall Tucker Band. The Marshall Tucker Band is a tried and true Southern rock band that meshes rock, blues, country and jazz.

From their first album in 1973, to their powerful stage presence today, The Marshall Tucker Band has played countless concert venues around the world, performing classics like “I Heard It In a Love Song,” “Can’t You See,” and “Fire on the Mountain.” A recent edition of GRAMMY magazine named The Marshall Tucker Band as one of the top 10 bands that “need no introduction.” After The Marshall Tucker Band takes the crowd on a trip down memory lane, the skies over Fayetteville will bloom with one of the best fireworks shows of the year. The Bloom & Boom Kickoff Party begins at 6 and ends at 10 p.m.

The festival remains true to its southern roots on Saturday night, when country icon John Michael Montgomery takes over the Festival Park stage.

Montgomery’s career caught fire in the ‘90s, when his romantic ballads owned the air waves, country dance clubs and weddings. Montgomery’s debut album Life’s a Dance, set the stage for his climb to the start. Montgomery’s string of successful hits include: “I Love the Way You Love Me,” “I Swear,” “Be My Baby tonight” and “Grundy County Auction.” The concert begins at 9 p.m.

On Sunday, the Festival Park stage will be filled from 1-4 p.m. and will feature a mini-beach music festival with music from Classic Soul, The Entertainers and Liquid Pleasure. Grab your partner and head down for an afternoon of dancing and fun.

The weekend is filled with other entertainment and events on various stages and entertainment areas. Check out the Street Fair Stage in the parking lot between Hay Street Church and the Cumberland County Library.

Saturday

Noon - 1:30 p.m. - Cape Fear Music Center Student Showcase

1:30-2:30 p.m. Seal the Deal

2:30-4:30 p.m. Cape Fear Music Center Student Showcase

4:30 - 6 p.m. Big Daddy DriveSunday

12:30-3:30 p.m. Cape Fear Music Center Student Showcase

3:30 - 6 p.m. Fayetteville Jazz Orchestra The CenturyLink Performance Area, located in the 100 block of Hay Street at the Market House, will also offer great entertainment.

Saturday

12:30-1 p.m. Shadows of the Fire Belly Dance

1-1:30 p.m. Musha Dojo

1:30-2 p.m. Shadows of the Fire Belly Dance

2 -2:30 p.m. Musha Dojo

2:30- 3 p.m. Kidsville Kids

3-3:30 p.m. Shadows of the Fire Belly Dance

3:30-4 p.m. Musha Dojo

4-4:30 p.m. Kidsville Kids

4:30-5 p.m. Yvette’s Dance

Sunday

12:30-1 p.m. Shadows of the Fire Belly Dance

1-1:30 p.m. Musha Dojo

1:30-2:30 p.m. Roland’s Dance

2:30 -3 p.m. Shadows of the Fire Belly Dance

2:30- 3 p.m. Musha Dojo

3:30 - 4 p.m. All American Fencing

4 - 4:30 p.m. Shadows of the Fire Belly Dance

4:30 - 5 p.m. Musha Dojo

5 - 5:30 p.m. Roland’s Dance

Disabled parking is designated in the Hay Street United Methodist Church parking lot and the Bank of America on Ray Avenue. Dowtown parking is available. Suggested areas include: Franklin Street Parking Deck, which is free weeknights and weekends, Cumberland County Courthouse, city lots on Person and Olde streets, Paid parking in the Masonic Lodge, Systel Parking lot and at the Up & Coming Weekly office at 208 Rowan Street.

No coolers, pets, weapons, bikes, roller blades or skateboards are allowed in Festival Park. The Dogwood Festival Committee has a zero tolerance for bad behavior.

Find out more about the Dogwood Festival at ww.faydogwoodfestival.com.

Photo: John Michael Montgomery headlines on Saturday night.