THE REASON WE'RE ALL HERE

Southwest Tailgate may be one incredible night—but its impact will be felt in Fayetteville schools every single day.

Safer Fayetteville began with a simple belief:

Every child deserves to feel safe at school.

Following the Covenant School tragedy in Nashville in 2023, a group of Fayetteville parents came together determined to turn concern into action. What began as a grassroots effort has grown into an independent 501(c)(3) committed to helping Fayetteville Public Schools accelerate meaningful safety improvements across the district.

Together with our community, we've already helped fund major districtwide safety investments—including nearly $200,000 for CENTEGIX CrisisAlert™ badges, providing Fayetteville Public Schools staff with immediate access to emergency assistance at the push of a button.

And we're not stopping there.

OUR 2026 MISSION: BETTER COMMUNICATION ACROSS ALL 17 CAMPUSES

This year's Southwest Tailgate is helping fund expanded two-way radio access across every Fayetteville Public Schools campus, serving nearly 10,000 students and the educators and staff who care for them.

Radios aren't something that sit in a cabinet waiting for an emergency.

They're used throughout the school day.

At recess. During dismissal. When a child needs the nurse. During severe weather. At athletic events. When administrators need to locate a student or staff member. And, critically, when an emergency requires immediate coordination.

They also add another important layer to the district's existing CENTEGIX CrisisAlert™ system. CrisisAlert can immediately signal that help is needed; radios allow school personnel to communicate, coordinate and respond in real time as a situation unfolds.

School safety isn't one product, one system or one solution.

It's layers.

It's preparation. Prevention. Communication. Technology. Training. And giving the people who care for our children every day the tools they need to respond quickly and effectively.

That's what your support of Safer Fayetteville helps provide.

YOUR NIGHT MAKES AN IMPACT

Every ticket purchased.
Every table filled.
Every sponsorship given.
Every auction item won.
Every paddle raised.

It all moves us closer to safer, better-connected schools across Fayetteville.

So come for the boots, the band, the bull and one seriously fun night.

Leave knowing that the fun we had together helped make an investment that will serve Fayetteville students and educators long after the music stops.

We'll see you at Stonebreaker on October 3.

Safer Fayetteville Southwest Tailgate 2026

A 90’s Country night under the lights where community, celebration, and impact come together.