North Raleigh Today

After a three-year absence because of COVID-19, the Dreamville music festival will return to Raleigh this weekend, and it’s sure to draw huge crowds to Dorothea Dix Park.

The prospect of a big music draw coming to the city has owners of small businesses scurrying to prepare for what is expected to be high demand for their services. The 2019 version drew about 40,000 people, most from outside of the Triangle.

Tracy Marsella, general manager of FatBoys Kitchen, reflected on the last one in an ABC 11 report. 

"The lines were long,” Marsella said. “We stayed busy around the clock, but it was very exciting at the same time because I can't remember in Raleigh, any event being this large coming to Dorothea Dix Park, and we were a part of it.”

The event should be a boost to shops and eateries that suffered during the pandemic-related shutdown.

"We're so excited this year because as you recall, during COVID, all the major events were shut down and we lost over 50% of revenue.” Marsella said in the report. “So, for the Dreamville Festival to come back in 2022, we're excited because we get to earn more revenue this year.”

Kyler Evans, who owns Vybez Kitchen in Greensboro, agreed with the earnings forecast.

"It's going to be life-changing for my business, honestly,” Evans said. “It’s going to definitely change my business. Take my business to the next scale.”

He will be serving food at the festival.

“I've been working very hard, so this is like something very big for me,” Evans continued. “The event is one of the biggest festivals so why not travel? Everything is going to be worth it in the end.”

With all the hype around the crowds, Dreamville carries a few concerns with neighboring residents because of the noise level.

"I think the important thing is that it not go beyond the cut-off time at night because stuff can carry acoustically from Dix over to here depending on the weather and all kinds of circumstances, so that would be a concern,” Beth Lunsford told the newscast. “And I guess the other thing would be that the site itself still be in good shape afterward.”

Tickets and the list of performances are available online at dreamvillefest.com.