Organizers pitch $500,000 ‘910 Future Fest’ to Fayetteville council, seek city support for youth programming and stadium concert

Organizers for a proposed three‑day Fayetteville event called the 910 Future Fest outlined plans on May 4 for youth workforce activations, downtown business and artist summits and a stadium concert that could seat 10,000. The presenters said the full project budget is roughly $500,000 and that organizers have secured about $70,000–$80,000 in early sponsorships.

Why it matters: Organizers argued the festival would drive tourism, create youth workforce opportunities and funnel hotel and tax revenue into downtown businesses. They say it could also help retain Fayetteville’s younger adult population and complement existing events rather than replace them.

Organizers described the program and economics in detail. “We’re basically looking to incorporate youth activations with this festival,” said Mark Mayer of the Two Six Project, who described career‑exposure activities for local middle‑ and high‑school students. Presenters estimated a one‑day concert could generate about $1.2 million in local spending, rising to roughly $2.3 million if visitors stayed multiple nights.

The presentation included a staffing and sponsorship update. Organizers said they have collected between $70,000 and $80,000 in cash and in‑kind commitments so far and have additional sponsorship meetings scheduled. Asked how much the organizers needed from the city, they replied that $350,000 would likely be the minimum the event needs to proceed at scale; the full $500,000 was described as the ideal target to compete regionally for talent and infrastructure.

Council reaction and next steps: Council members pressed organizers for details on pledged cash versus in‑kind support, youth‑program budgets and stadium logistics, including field protection and vendor arrangements. Staff told council a contract would likely be with the nonprofit running the festival rather than the city, limiting the city’s direct liability for talent agreements.

Council did not commit funding at the session. Instead, members asked staff to bring the festival ask to the first budget work session for more detailed numbers and recommended that organizers supply a clear schedule of decisions and written documentation of sponsors and matching funds. The presenters agreed to return with additional budget breakdowns and timing to inform the council’s budget deliberations.