Fayetteville’s Cool Spring Downtown District is receiving international recognition for their inaugural event, Night Circus, a New Year’s Eve Spectacular put on in December of 2021. 

The International Downtown Association awarded CSDD with the Downtown Achievement Award of Excellence for its resourcful approaches used to host the event.  According to details on the award released form IDA, “The Award of Excellence acknowledges an excellent response to an urban place management challenge, demonstrating application of industry knowledge and exceeds the jury criteria.” 

Night Circus was one of 23 entries in the Marketing, Communications and Events category which is identified by IDA as one of seven professional urban place management practice areas. All entries for the 2022 Downtown Achievement Awards were reviewed, deliberated and evaluated by a jury of peer professionals to choose this year’s recipients. 

“Being recognized on an international scale for our efforts is truly an honor. We love to bring positive recognition to our deserving city.” Bianca Shoneman of the Cool Spring Downtown District said in a press release.

Night Circus was done in partnership with the City of Fayetteville, and was the City's first self produced New Year’s Eve production in over 10 years. Four national touring acts: - All-4-One, Rob Base, C + C Music Factory, and Coolio headlined the event and the circus showcased acrobats, aerialists, fire dancers, live art demos, along with a variety of food for guests. 

The CSDD team also brought on Blashfield Signs to ring in the new year with a an eighteen-foot, multi-colored star dotted with over 150 LED lights along with a fireworks show at the stroke of midnight. 

“Coming out of the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, we knew we wanted something vibrant and exciting for our community as we celebrated surviving a tumultuous year and moving towards thriving in the next”, Director of Special Projects, Ashanti Bennett shared in a press release.

The International Downtown Association is based in Washington D.C., and is the premiere organization for urban place professionals who are shaping and starting dynamic city center district. According to a statement released by the IDA, “The Cool Spring Downtown District is the urban place management organization representing the interests of property owners in Fayetteville, NC.” 

“Cool Spring Downtown District has demonstrated skillful application of urban place management principles with their project Night Circus said David Downey, IDA President and CEO in a press release. “The Night Circus should serve as a framework to all member communities within IDA.”