FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Sesselie Henry, manager of The Hummingbird Candle Company, has been to many Dogwood Festivals throughout the years.

The cancellation of the festival last year left a big void for everybody.

“I miss the memories, the sights, the smells, the interaction with people” Henry says.

While it won’t be on the scale of a normal festival, organizers say they’re planning for a smaller Dogwood Festival to be held at Westwood Shopping Center. That will happen the last weekend in April.

With the pandemic still ongoing, there will be a combination of virtual and in-person events.

A car show is currently scheduled, and food vendors will be selling traditional fair food. With restrictions still in place, however, it will not be the same amount as a normal year.

The Fayetteville Dogwood Festival has become one of the biggest celebrations in the region.

Before the pandemic, it regularly attracted more than 200,000 visitors to the downtown area each year.