After 29 years of live music, street vendors, and bed races on Dickson Street, it appears that Springfest just needed a year off to rest.

The longstanding festival missed its 30th anniversary last year, but with some time to regroup, and an infusion of new volunteers, organizers say the annual spring festival will be back and better than ever in 2013.

“It’s been a Fayetteville tradition since the 80s, and we’re excited to be bringing it back,” said Doug Allen, owner of Jose’s Restaurant, who is spearheading the event this year. “We felt like it was dying on the vine a little bit, and of course, it didn’t happen last year. But 95 percent of the people that have been attending our board meetings are new blood, and that has really given it some new energy.”

The festival is set to return on Saturday, May 4, and will kick off with a pancake breakfast at 7 a.m. at Jose’s to benefit the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

Following the breakfast is a full day of fun including live music, a scavenger hunt, a dog parade, belly dancers, a pub crawl, the bed races (of course), and lots of other activities along Dickson Street.

“I think one of the coolest things (about Springfest) is showcasing our local musicians,” Allen said. “I’m excited about the dog parade, the bed races are always a big hit, and of course the local arts and crafts. There’s a lot to be excited about.”

This year’s event will coincide with the Walton Arts Center’s Artosphere Trail Mix Series of concerts along Frisco Trail. Concerts will take place at various locations along the trail between Wilson Park and Greenhouse Grille from 10 a.m. until noon, including performances by 3 Penny Acre and Erth Dinosaur Petting Zoo.

A tentative schedule of events is available at fayettevillespringfest.com, and more activities are expected to be added in the coming weeks.

For now, mark your calendar, and do a sunny-weather dance for Saturday, May 4. Welcome back, Springfest.