Entertainment

Legends Pub celebrates Spring Fling's 30th year

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Tuesday, 26 May 2026

Written by Crissy Neville

A pour at Legends Pub of Fayetteville is much more than what fills the glass. Owner Holly Whitley and her bartending staff, fondly known as the “Gypsy Women,” pour into the lives of their customers, a base that has become practically innumerable in the pub’s 30 years. Attracting military members, veterans, bikers and people from all walks of life, patrons may start out as strangers but soon become steadfast friends—a unique dynamic in this transient town.
The special atmosphere that helps Legends Pub earn its name extends well beyond the bar each May during Spring Fling. The three-day annual event combines the best things about this bar, namely its contagious community spirit and support for their own that rivals most families. Spring Fling, happening May 29-31 at Legends Pub, 4624 Bragg Blvd., turns 30 this year.
“Spring Fling is about camaraderie,” Whitley shared. “A lot of us have known each other and have been friends, taken care of each other and supported each other over the last 30 years. Legends and the people who come are family to us; we love them. We've been able to do a lot for our people. We've been able to help so many over the years.”
Initially launched as a fun community event, Spring Fling transitioned to a benefit event following a friend’s motorcycle accident. Proceeds have gone to help families and individuals affected by cancer, illnesses, emergency surgeries, motorcycle and car accidents and other health and financial challenges.
“Many times. we have helped when people have been put in a position where they could not pay their bills until they heal and get better and could go back to work,” Whitley explained. “Last year, we raised close to $50,000 out of our little bar. And that's kind of an average that we had for several years. I would say we're easily close to a million, if not over a million, through the years.”
The schedule of events for Spring Fling 2026 is as follows:
Friday: Pool tournament, pre-party and 50-50 raffle
Saturday: Scott Sather Memorial Poker Run, first bike out at noon and back by 4:30 p.m.; Pig Picking; Auction at 5 p.m. until over, plus 50-50 raffle.
Sunday: Bike Show (Sign-up, 1 p.m., judging, 3 p.m.), three best bikes recognized; Auction with 5 p.m. winner announcement of the Legends Pub Big Raffle for MetaQuest 3 Goggles
When asked if special activities were planned to celebrate the 30-year milestone, Whitley said, “We will do that in December. That’s our actual anniversary.”
The 2026 Spring Fling beneficiary is the non-profit Bail for Tails Rescue NC, a 100% foster-based cat rescue operating in Downtown Fayetteville. In addition to the event proceeds, donations of cat food and litter will be accepted all weekend.
Bail for Tails Founder and President Dianne Carrillo opened the rescue in 2019-20 to tackle the downtown district’s stray cat problem. The self-described animal lover’s former work as a bail bond agent downtown helped her become very aware of Fayetteville’s homeless cat challenges. After locating homes for the strays that she and volunteers trapped, Carrillo found that the service was needed full-time. She launched the rescue, trading bail for jail for “Bail for Tails.”
Carrillo emphasized these were not feral cats but abandoned pets; once on the streets, the town cats grew in population and colonized.
“They were cats that were dumped, and they were multiplying at a rapid rate. And, we went in and fixed the ones that were friendly. We spent two years controlling and adopting out one colony of 37 cats,” she said. “A female cat can have four litters of kittens a year, believe it or not. They can get pregnant as young as four months.”
Now, the non-profit rehomes some 300 cats/kittens a year, Carrillo said, with every cat coming from stray, abandoned or hoarding situations.
“We either trap the cats ourselves or accept them from others, provide medical care socialize and adopt these animals to families. We make sure they are spayed and neutered, have all their shots, and they have been medically cleared. Our vet partner is Raleigh Road Animal Hospital.”
It is important to note that Bail for Tails is not a shelter and does not accept drop-offs without permission. Those needing help with a cat or cats are asked to message the rescue through Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/bailfortailsrescuenc/ or its website contact form, https://lpstk6.wixsite.com/bftrescue or email bailsfortailsrescuenc@gmail.com. A public adoption event, held every Thursday through Sunday, teems with cute, furry kitties completely ready to be rehomed. The rescue also partners with and provides adoptable cats to Farmer’s Cat Café at 2589 Gillespie Street. Open every day except Tuesday, the café serves coffee and light fare, features a farmers market and operates a cat room for feline fun and socialization. Bail for Tails and Farmer’s Cat Café provide two purr-fect chances to find a fur-ever friend.
Want to help? Foster homes, volunteers and donations are always needed. As such, Carrillo is very grateful and excited for the exposure and financial assistance this year’s Spring Fling will bring.
“I appreciate anything and everything,” Carrillo said. “Anything we receive will go straight to the rescue’s medical fund. I have known Holly for 30 years, and she has been trying to do a fundraiser for me for years and I have always declined. And then this year, she said, ‘No, I'm going to do it for you, whether you like it or not.’”
Look for the Bails for Tails table at Spring Fling; Carrillo will have t-shirts for sale, adoption, foster and volunteer forms, plus “mug shots” of her adoptable, adorable cats.
Spring Fling is the largest of Legends many happenings; the pub’s chock-full calendar includes everything from birthday and retirement parties to memorial toasts and chili cookoffs. Whitley invites all, regulars and newcomers alike, to join the Legends Pub family and experience Spring Fling.

(Photo: Holly Whitley, center, owner of Legends Pub and her "Gypsy Women," have held an annual Spring Fling fundraiser for 30 years. The Legends Pub owner estimates the Spring Fling has raised over a million dollars. Photo by Royal Soleil)

Public Works Exhibition showcases Art of community

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Tuesday, 19 May 2026

Written by Sara Busman, Arts Council of Fayetteville

It’s interesting the refrigerator holds a place of honor in our homes. Many of us remember the pride of earning a fridge-worthy test score, essay, or piece of art. The fridge is where meaningful things are posted, and each of those things usually has a story. During the PWC Public Works Exhibition, the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County becomes the community’s refrigerator, displaying artwork from local artists of all ages and skill levels from May 29 through July 5. Public Works welcomes a wide range of creative voices and mediums, offering an inclusive showcase that celebrates the artistic spirit of the community, and just like the space on the fridge, everyone shows their best.

Hope Mills community walk aims to turn grief into action

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Tuesday, 26 May 2026

Written by Jamie Bishop

In communities across the country, the conversation around gun violence often begins after tragedy strikes. In Hope Mills, local leaders and residents are hoping to change that narrative through awareness, education, and unity.
The 3rd Annual Gun Violence Awareness Walk, organized by Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Tau Epsilon Zeta Chapter in partnership with the Town of Hope Mills and local law enforcement, will bring residents together on June 6 at 9 a.m. for a community-driven effort focused on remembrance, prevention and healing. The walk will take place at the Hope Mills Recreation Center at 5766 Rockfish Rd. For members of Tau Epsilon Zeta, the initiative is deeply personal.
“Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Tau Epsilon Zeta Chapter is an action-oriented organization committed to creating positive change, raising awareness, and fostering a greater sense of humanity,” said Erika L. Burns, MLS, Social Engagement Chair for the Tau Epsilon Zeta Chapter. “We believe that meaningful change begins within our community.”
That belief has become the driving force behind the annual walk, which was created in response to the growing number of lives affected by gun violence, particularly among young people.
“As a chapter, we have recognized the alarming number of individuals, especially children, who are affected by gun violence in our community,” Burns said. “In response, we have partnered with the Town of Hope Mills, law enforcement officers and community members to organize a community walk.”
The event is designed to do more than simply acknowledge the issue. Organizers say the walk is intended to educate the public on gun safety, honor victims and encourage conversations that can lead to long-term solutions. Gun violence continues to leave lasting scars on families and neighborhoods throughout North Carolina and beyond. While headlines often focus on statistics, organizers say the walk is about the people behind those numbers, the parents, classmates, friends, and communities left grieving in the aftermath of violence.
“Gun violence impacts us all; we each know someone who has been affected,” Burns said. “Together, we can make a difference.”
Participants will walk not only in solidarity, but also in reflection. Burns pointed to research showing that walking can improve neural connections and create opportunities for meaningful conversation. The event will also focus heavily on prevention through education. Community members will receive information about responsible firearm storage and organizations that provide training on safe gun handling and ownership.
“We want participants to leave knowing that change begins with a single decision,” Burns said. “One decision to practice gun safety in their household, one decision to talk with their family about gun violence, and one decision to keep guns out of the hands of those who are not responsible enough to use them appropriately.”
The chapter emphasized that ending gun violence requires collective responsibility, not just from lawmakers or law enforcement, but from families, neighbors, and community members themselves.
“We believe we have the power to end gun violence; however, everyone must understand that they play a part in creating that change,” Burns said.
For Tau Epsilon Zeta, the annual walk has become both a call to action and a space for healing. Each year, the event has unfolded against the backdrop of fresh grief within the community. This year is no exception.
“In recent years, our walk has often taken place during times when our community is mourning the loss of a young person to gun violence,” Burns said. “Sadly, this year is no different.”
The organization shared that its thoughts and prayers are currently with the family of a local high school student who recently lost her life to gun violence, a tragedy that has once again shaken the community. Moments like these reinforce why the event continues to grow.
“Powerful things happen when a community comes together around a common cause,” Burns said. “Each year, we look forward to more community members and organizations joining us in the effort to end gun violence.”
While the issue itself can feel overwhelming, organizers hope the walk reminds residents that progress often begins with ordinary people choosing to stand together.
“We look forward to the day when we can walk in victory,” Burns said, “knowing that our efforts were not in vain and that, together as a community, we helped bring an end to gun violence.”
The 3rd Annual Gun Violence Awareness Walk will take place on June 6 at 9 a.m. in Hope Mills. Community members of all ages are encouraged to attend and participate in the effort to raise awareness, promote safety and honor lives impacted by gun violence. For additional information, contact Erika L. Burns, MLS, Social Engagement Chair for Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, Tau Epsilon Zeta Chapter, at tezengaged@gmail.com.

LOCAL SHORTS brings indie films to Cameo's big screen

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Tuesday, 19 May 2026

Written by Adam Taylor

The lights will dim. A packed audience will settle into their seats as stories created by local filmmakers will unfold across the screen. For one night, the voices of Cumberland County and surrounding communities will take center stage at the historic Cameo Art House Theatre in downtown Fayetteville.
On Tuesday, May 26, at 7 p.m., the Cameo Collective will present LOCAL SHORTS 2026, with the support of the Grassroots Grant provided by the Arts Council of Fayetteville/Cumberland County. This one-night showcase celebrates independent filmmaking, local storytelling, and the growing creative movement happening throughout the region.
The event has quickly become a platform for emerging filmmakers, students, artists and storytellers eager to see their work projected onto a movie theater screen in front of a live audience. Organizers say the evening is designed not only to celebrate local filmmaking but also to strengthen connections within Fayetteville’s growing arts community.
“This event is about giving local artists a voice,” Cameo Collective Artistic Director Brian Adam Kline said. “There are incredible stories being created right here in our community and LOCAL SHORTS exists to celebrate those voices and create opportunities for filmmakers to connect with audiences at their very own filmmakers' hub.”
This year, all selected filmmakers for this year’s showcase will receive $150 or more for their accepted submission, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to supporting artists in tangible ways. Independent filmmaking often requires artists to work with limited budgets, borrowed equipment, volunteer actors and countless unpaid hours. Supporters of LOCAL SHORTS say recognizing and compensating local creators is an important part of building a stronger regional arts scene.
The Vision Behind LOCAL SHORTS
LOCAL SHORTS was created by Kline, the founding artistic director of the Cameo Collective, the nonprofit arts organization that helped lead the effort to keep the historic Cameo Art House Theatre open and active in downtown Fayetteville. Kline formed the organization with 8 dedicated board members and Managing Director James Throssel.
Kline, a filmmaker, theater director, arts educator, and longtime advocate for local artists, envisioned LOCAL SHORTS as a way to provide filmmakers in Cumberland County and surrounding communities with a professional platform to showcase their work, while helping to strengthen the region’s growing creative culture. It is only one piece of a much larger vision for the future of the Cameo Collective and the continued growth of arts programming in downtown Fayetteville.
“This is just one program of many to come,” Kline said. “We want the Cameo to be a creative home for the community, a place where filmmakers, musicians, performers, artists and audiences can come together.”
In recent years, the Cameo Collective has worked to expand arts and entertainment opportunities throughout the community by introducing new events, partnerships and educational initiatives designed to make the theater an active year-round cultural destination.
Among the organization’s newest additions is karaoke night hosted by DJ Tommi Lee, an interactive late-night event blending music, performance, comedy and audience participation. The event has quickly developed a following among younger audiences and downtown visitors.
The organization is also partnering with Book Black Women Inc. for concerts and cultural programming celebrating diverse voices, artistic collaboration and community storytelling.
Another major initiative includes an expanding classic film series created in partnership with local organizations and community groups. The series brings audiences together through screenings of beloved and influential films while encouraging discussion, nostalgia, education and shared community experiences.
The Cameo Collective has provided a new home for Neil Ray’s popular Open Mic Night, now held every Monday evening at the Cameo Art House Theatre. The weekly event welcomes musicians, poets, comedians, storytellers and performers of all experience levels to share their talents in a supportive and creative atmosphere.
Investing in the Next Generation
The Cameo Collective is also expanding its focus on arts education and youth involvement through several upcoming initiatives aimed at developing the next generation of filmmakers and creative leaders in Fayetteville.
Among the organization’s newest programs is the Cameo Filmmaker Summer Camp, an immersive experience designed for aspiring young filmmakers interested in directing, screenwriting, acting, cinematography, and editing. Participants will work collaboratively to create original projects while learning hands-on filmmaking skills inside a working independent theater environment. And this fall, the Cameo Collective will also launch a new youth arts group focused on providing teenagers and young adults with opportunities to engage in film, theater, live events, visual arts and community programming.
The organization is also building a volunteer collective that will allow community members to become directly involved in helping operate events, screenings, festivals and educational programs at the Cameo.
A Growing Film Culture in Fayetteville
LOCAL SHORTS arrives during a period of growing artistic energy in downtown Fayetteville. At the center of much of that activity has been the Cameo Collective, a nonprofit arts organization focused on supporting independent film, live performance, education, and community-based arts programming.
Rather than focusing solely on studio films, LOCAL SHORTS turns its attention toward local creators, many of whom are producing films in their homes, schools and communities with limited resources but limitless creativity. For some filmmakers, the showcase may represent the first time seeing their work in a professional theater environment.
Previous showcases have included dramas, documentaries, horror films, experimental projects, comedies and animations.
A Night for the Entire Community
Admission is just $5, making the event accessible to families, students and audiences interested in discovering regional talent.
All proceeds from ticket sales directly support the Cameo Collective’s nonprofit mission, which includes championing local artists, fostering creative collaboration and bringing local, independent and blockbuster films to the Fayetteville area.
Audience members can expect an evening filled with creativity. Because every filmmaker brings a unique perspective and style, no two films are alike, making the showcase unpredictable and exciting. LOCAL SHORTS 2026 will take place Tuesday, May 26 at 7 p.m. at the Cameo Art House Theatre in downtown Fayetteville.