7 / 16
April 2015
| Business World
75
it’s a true melting pot. I really believe that’s
why it’s such a friendly place to live. We’re
all so different and certainly respect and cel-
ebrate our diversities.”
Choosing to celebrate the differences rather
than making them a focal point, Fayetteville
encourages and displays its openness and pa-
triotic spirit throughout the year and around
the city with local events and attractions.
“We have festivals a couple of times a year,
including the International Folk Festival,
which is in the fall, and the Dogwood Fes-
tival, which is in the spring,” Robertson said.
“The Dogwood Tree is our official symbol
for the city, so we have an official festival.”
“These festivals bring other communities
into Fayetteville,” Robertson continued. “In
one weekend, we’ll have a quarter-million
people coming out to celebrate.”
Sown into the cultural fabric and identity of
Fayetteville, the togetherness displayed dur-
ing the International Folk Festival espouses
the city’s ties beyond just the communal va-
riety, but more like a big, well-represented,
and colorful family.
“We have a Parade of Nations where people
dress in common attire from their native
countries,” Walls said. “It’s very colorful; all
their flags are displayed near Festival Park.
It’s very unique - you hear different kinds of