Entertainment

Lexington Plantation hosts annual Fall Market

24The Lexington Plantation neighborhood is set to welcome the community to its annual Fall Market on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This family-friendly event promises a festive afternoon filled with shopping, food, and activities for all ages—rain or shine.
More than 70 local vendors from Lexington Plantation, North Ridge, and surrounding areas will showcase their talents and small businesses. Shoppers can browse a wide variety of handmade goods, including jewelry, home décor, woodwork, and 3D-printed items, as well as baked goods, homemade jams, honey, and custom apparel. Several food trucks will also be on-site, and pet lovers can look forward to adoption opportunities through local rescues.
Children will have plenty to enjoy in the Kid Zone, which will feature a holiday-themed scavenger hunt. By collecting stamps from vendor booths, kids can earn a prize bag full of goodies. A dedicated DIY craft station will allow children to make their own Thanksgiving candle, while games and activities will keep the fun going. Families can also gather for free Bingo sessions, open to all ages.
One of the market’s featured vendors is Paratrooper’s Chocolate Bar, a bakery founded by local entrepreneur Jazlyn Ortiz. Her menu reflects a blend of cultures, offering American, Mexican, and Dubai-inspired desserts. Among her most popular creations is the Dubai Chocolate Brownie, a rich and fudgy treat layered with kataifi crunch, milk chocolate sauce, and pistachio butter drizzle. Ortiz says her goal is not only to satisfy a sweet tooth but also to leave guests with a lasting memory of supporting a small, homegrown business.
What sets the Lexington Plantation Fall Market apart from other events, Ortiz notes, is its strong sense of community. The hosts are renowned for their high organization and commitment to supporting local makers, with excellent communication, vendor spotlights, and targeted promotional efforts. Vendor fees are donation-based, with proceeds benefiting Second Chance Ranch Rescue, ensuring the market also gives back to the community.
Beyond shopping and sweets, the Fall Market offers something more valuable: the opportunity for neighbors to gather, families to bond, and small businesses to shine.
As Ortiz put it, “These markets definitely allow families to come out and spend quality time together. It’s the only neighborhood I’ve lived in that hosts something this big.”
The Lexington Plantation Fall Market is located at 1407 Carnsmore Drive. With shopping, food, kids’ activities, and a welcoming atmosphere, this fall market is set to be one of the season’s most anticipated events.

Fayetteville celebrates season with Fall Dogwood Fest

18Everyone is familiar with the award-winning Dogwood Festival that takes over the city every spring: a downtown staple that draws crowds in the thousands, locally and from beyond, pouring into the economy and highlighting local talent, artists, and small businesses. 
On Oct. 18 and 19, the Dogwood Festival is bringing the same vibes, but on a smaller, more intimate scale, with the Fall Festival. Two days of family-friendly entertainment, vendors, food trucks, a mechanical bull, a Renaissance magic show, knocker balls, and live entertainment will feature some of the best in local talent and some big industry names. 
The Fall Festival will take place in Festival Park and the park promenade. Those wanting a more elevated experience can purchase VIP tickets. Tickets include catered food, 2 beer tickets, access to exclusive VIP vendors, the best seats in the house, and discounts on artists’ Meet & Greets. Dirtbag Ales will be slinging the cold beer in the VIP tent.
The main stage lineup is packed with local favorites and TikTok sensations. Headlining the stage on Sunday is Clejan, a classically trained Trap Violinist, who merges the intricate and precise sound of the violin with some of the biggest Hip-Hop, Rap, and R&B songs of the past and today. To purchase VIP access, visit https://www.eventeny.com/events/2025-dogwood-fall-festival-21639/. Attendees who want to lock in the best seats in the house for the main stage entertainment, but not VIP access, can purchase separate tickets online as well. Check below for the schedule of events and details. Don’t miss out on this FREE community event. 
Saturday, Oct. 18
• Car Show sponsored by Hollow Knights Car Club, 8 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Festival Park Promenade
Come check out the cars and see who takes home the prize. Judging is from noon to 2 p.m. 
• Time Travelers 
Showtimes: Saturday (10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 4:30 p.m.), Sunday (11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m.), Kids Zone Festival Park
Magic is in the air. Check out this unique traveling magic show that transports viewers back in time with the legendary Captain Jim, master of trickery & tall tales, and the dazzling Lt. Lady Louisa, with a dance of swords.
• Mechanical Bull , Festival Park
Think you have what it takes to ride the bull? Test your skills on our pink mechanical bull. Tickets can be purchased at the Information Tent located at the entrance of Festival Park. Kids 12 and under are $6, and $8 for anyone 13 and older.
Main Stage Entertainment Lineup
• 3 p.m.: The Phoebes Band
• 5:30 p.m.: The Verve Pipe
• 7:30 p.m.: Marcy Playground
Sunday, Oct. 19
Better Health Bus, 11 a.m. to  3 p.m.
Get resources and become better informed about your health with a trip to the Better Health Bus sponsored by Ciscrp. 
• Creative Corner, Festival Park, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Join Andre Sansbury Jr., “Suave the Poet,” for live poetry and spoken word. 
• Ring Wars Pro Wrestling, Festival Promande, Ring Times: 11:45 a.m., 2 p.m.
Main Stage Entertainment Lineup
• 2 p.m.: DJ Fuzzy Wuzzy
• 5:15 p.m.: CJ Monet
• 6:30 p.m.: Clejan
Attendees are reminded that the park now adheres to a clear bag policy: No bookbags, fanny packs, large bags, or coolers will be allowed in the event area. 
This year’s festival wouldn’t be possible without its amazing sponsors: Healy Wholesale Co., Inc., Drink-A-Bull, North Carolina Army National Guard, LeafGuard, Cape Fear Distillery, Renewal by Anderson, Pineview Buildings, Dogwood Nursery and Shed. 
Dogwood Festival Executive Director, Kaylynn Suarez, has been working hard to make the spring and fall festivals “a can’t-miss” event in Fayetteville and is excited to announce some news, stating, “The Fall Festival is all about fun, family, and community, and we want to make sure everyone enjoys it safely. The only change you’ll notice this year is that our partners have updated their safety requirements for event organizers using Festival Park. 
“If you joined the community for the 4th of July or the International Folk Festival, you may have already experienced these updates: a bag check and clear bag policy for all events held in the park. We ask that you come prepared and allow a little extra time for bag checks at entry. These measures are in place to keep our festival footprint secure, and we deeply appreciate the hard work of our partners and the cooperation of our amazing festival family. It’s gone smoothly at other events, and we know with your support it will at Fall Festival too. Together, we’re building not only a safe event, but a welcoming space where memories can be made and traditions can grow,” she said. 
“Our 2026 calendar is here, and we couldn’t be more excited to share that we’re expanding from 5 events to 14 throughout the year! This growth is only possible because of the incredible support we’ve received from our community, and we’re so grateful to continue building traditions together. Make sure you’re following the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival on Instagram and Facebook so you don’t miss a single moment of what’s to come. The best is yet to bloom!”
(Photo courtesy of the Dogwood Festival’s Facebook Page)

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