Entertainment

Hope Mills Fit4Life Zumbas for St. Jude

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Tuesday, 22 April 2025

Written by Lena Simmons

The North Carolina 13th Annual St. Jude Zumbathon will take place on May 3, at Fit4Life Health Club-Hope Mills. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Guests can take part in fitness variations, Spin, Kickboxing, Total Body/Strength, Dance, and Zumba.
The St. Jude Zumbathon will be split up into two events. The second event will take place on June 7 at the John D. Fuller Recreation Center at 6627 Old Bunce Rd.
Tickets for the individual days cost $15. For those who want to participate in both events on May 3 and June 7, advance tickets are $30. Tickets at the door will be $35, and VIP tickets are available for $40.
To purchase tickets for the event, visit https://bit.ly/4cCtyOh
The proceeds for the event will support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. For more information, contact Fit4Life Hope Mills Health Club-Hope Mills at 910-779-0943.
The events will be lead by Natalie Haskell from Work It With Natalie. In addition to her online training business, Haskell travels around the East Coast to hold Zumbathons to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. A military spouse and mother of three, Haskell says becoming a group fitness instructor has been a life transformation for her.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is a world-renowned pediatric cancer treatment and research center in Memphis, Tennessee. The mission of St. Jude Children’s Hospital is to focus on childhood diseases and other life-threatening diseases, comprehensive care — free of charge to patients — ground-breaking research, a global impact and affiliate clinics. The unique operating model provides a normal childhood experience for children undergoing treatment, offering housing facilities for families and a focus on outpatient care.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital treats patients from all 50 U.S. states and internationally, with around 8,600 patients seen annually. The hospital has helped overall childhood cancer rates from 20 percent in 1962 to over 80 percent today and has achieved a 94 percent survival rate for all.
Fit4Life, located at 2820 Hope Mills Rd., is a state of the art gym facility that is open to members 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Gym memberships come with free group fitness classes, and the gym has a kids' zone for parents to drop off their kids while they work out.
The facility holds daily Zumba and Spin classes, and also offers yoga, dance fit, Pilates and kickboxing throughout the week.

Dogwood Festival celebrates local musical acts

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Tuesday, 22 April 2025

Written by Sheila D. Barker

The Dogwood Festival has long been a beloved event, drawing crowds with its vibrant atmosphere and diverse entertainment lineup. This year’s festival promises to be no different, offering a rich tapestry of musical acts that cater to a wide array of tastes.

Friday, April 25:
• 5 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. - The Simpletones
• 6:45 – 8 p.m. - Fear State
• 8:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. - Echostone
On Friday, festival goers can look forward to a great line-up. The Simpletones, a rock band out of Sanford, NC, are set to kick off the festival’s musical acts with their energetic performances. Known for their ‘90s alt-rock influence blended with music from various decades and genres, this band brings a fresh yet nostalgic sound to the stage.
Fear State is another local gem performing at the festival. Comprised of five musicians from different generations, the band creates a unique blend of music pulling inspiration from hair bands, nu metal, and early 2000s rock. Their sound is both nostalgic and fresh, offering something familiar yet exciting.
Their energetic performances are known for leaving audiences wanting more, making Fear State a band you won’t want to miss.
Headlining Friday night is Echostone, a rock band from the Carolinas that brings a modern edge to the early 2000s radio rock sound. Formed in 2021, Echostone has quickly made a name for themselves, sharing the stage with renowned artists like Scott Stapp of Creed, Gavin DeGraw, Trapt, and more. Their music is written from the heart and has a sound that resonates deeply with fans.

Saturday, April 26
• 3:30 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. - Nicholas Vernon
• 5:45 p.m. - 7 p.m. - The Guy Unger Band
• 7:30 p.m. - 8:45 p.m. - Josh Ross
• 9:15 p.m. - 10:30 p.m. - Drew Baldridge
The second night of the Dogwood Festival promises an unforgettable experience with an eclectic mix of musical talents. From the soulful country melodies of Nicholas Vernon to the dynamic rock sounds of The Guy Unger Band and the headlining performances of Josh Ross and Drew Baldridge, this lineup offers something for every music lover.
Nicholas Vernon is a country music artist hailing from Vander, NC. Vernon’s music is a refreshing blend of soulful melodies, deeply inspired by timeless, traditional country sounds.
His performance promises to be a heartfelt experience, drawing from both country and Gospel influences. Fans can expect a set that resonates with the authenticity and warmth that defines country music at its core.
Following Nicholas Vernon, The Guy Unger Band will take the stage with their dynamic all-American rock sound. This band is known for its energetic performances that engage and electrify audiences. Their diverse repertoire includes rock, blues, jazz, and even classical pieces, ensuring a versatile and captivating show. The band members bring a rich, collaborative energy that promises to be a highlight of the night.
Headlining the second night is Josh Ross and Drew Baldridge. Josh Ross is one of Canada’s most promising singer-songwriter performers. Known for his dark, mellow blend of modern country rock, Ross pairs his warm vocal rasp with heart-on-his-sleeve writing and addictive hooks.
Drawing influence from rock legends like Guns N’ Roses and Metallica, as well as country-rock outlaw Steve Earle, Ross’s performance is expected to be a powerful, genre-blending experience. His knack for emotional songcraft has already earned him a series of Platinum-certified Canadian country radio hits, and he is set to captivate the Dogwood Festival audience.
Closing out the night is Drew Baldridge, a country pop artist from Patoka, IL. His music features heartfelt lyrics and relatable storytelling, often reflecting his small-town upbringing.
Inspired by country legends like Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, and Keith Urban, Baldridge’s songs resonate with personal experiences and relatable struggles, aiming to connect deeply with his audience.

Sunday, April 27
• 2:30 p.m. - 4 p.m. - The Phoebes
• 4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. - Throwback Collaboration Band
The grand finale of the Festival promises to be an extraordinary event filled with incredible music and vibrant energy. Attendees can look forward to a seamless blend of rock, blues, and R&B dance music that spans decades, providing something for everyone to enjoy.
Prepare to be mesmerized by The Phoebes, a rock and blues band hailing from the Raleigh-Durham area. Their energetic performances blend rock and blues with soulful vocals, ensuring an unforgettable experience.
The Phoebes’ repertoire includes masterful covers of legendary artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, and The Beatles, bringing a nostalgic yet fresh take on classic hits.
Get ready to groove with Throwback Collaboration, a band based in Fayetteville known for their infectious R&B dance music spanning the 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond. Their performances are a celebration of feel-good, funky, old-school music that is guaranteed to get everyone on their feet.
Throwback Collaboration focuses on creating a nostalgic dance party atmosphere. This band is set to provide a high-energy, feel-good experience for all attendees.
Whether you’re a fan of rock, alt-rock, or nostalgic early 2000s sounds, the festival offers something for everyone. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of this vibrant event and create lasting memories with friends and family.

(Photos: Top: Echostone. Middle: Nicholas Vernon. Bottom Left: Drew Baldridge. Bottom Right: Josh Ross)

Cooking for a Cause: Dogwood’s Wing Cook-Off

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Tuesday, 22 April 2025

Written by Sheila D. Barker

The Heart Behind the Heat: Carl Pringle’s Mission
Carl Pringle, known fondly as ‘Uncle Carl’ in the Fayetteville community, is the driving force behind the ‘Cooking for a Cause: Wing Cook-Off’. Carl is the creator of the famed Flip Flop BBQ Sauce, a unique sauce inspired by Washington D.C.’s Mumbo Sauce. His improvisation led to a flavor so versatile that he joked you could put it on a flip-flop and still enjoy it.
Beyond his culinary skills, Carl is deeply committed to his community. Ten percent of all Flip Flop Sauce sales go to fund ‘Uncle Carl’s Safe Space,’ his community outreach organization. He is also known for organizing events like the R&B (Ribs and Butts) Fest and actively participating in community feedings. Carl’s mission is to use food as a means to bring people together and support those in need, particularly Fayetteville’s unhoused population.
Event Details: What, When, and Where
The ‘Cooking for a Cause: Wing Cook-Off’ is a new and exciting event at the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival 2025. Scheduled for Saturday, April 26, this event will take place in Festival Park in downtown Fayetteville. Sponsored by Sam’s Club and hosted by Carl Pringle, the cook-off aims to bring the community together over a shared love of delicious wings, all while supporting a worthy cause.
Local chefs and grill masters will compete to create the best wings, with proceeds supporting Pringle’s outreach initiatives and benefiting other local charities. It’s a day dedicated to great food, fun competition, and community support.
The ‘Cooking for a Cause: Wing Cook-Off’ will feature some of the best local chefs and grill masters, each bringing their unique flavors and techniques to the competition. These culinary experts will showcase their skills, vying for the title of the best wings in Fayetteville.
Participants can expect a range of wing styles, from classic buffalo to innovative new flavors, all prepared with the passion and expertise that make Fayetteville’s food scene so special. It’s a chance to see these chefs in action and taste their incredible creations.
At its core, the ‘Cooking for a Cause: Wing Cook-Off’ is about more than just great food – it’s about making a difference. Part of the proceeds will support two incredible non-profits: Marius Maximus Foundation for Mental Health and We Are One Big Family both dedicated to uplifting the Fayetteville community.
We Are One Big Family is a charitable organization dedicated to guiding young people, providing meals to the homeless, and ensuring that anyone in need receives a warm meal. The Marius Maximus Foundation aims to inform and guide the community, fostering a deeper awareness of mental health.
By attending and participating in the cook-off, you are directly contributing to these efforts, helping to ensure that everyone in the community has access to nutritious meals and a sense of belonging.

Car, Motorcycle and Truck Show back for 2025

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Tuesday, 22 April 2025

Written by Aly Hansen

The Car, Motorcycle and Truck Show is back to this year’s Dogwood Festival. This exciting car event will showcase some of the coolest moving machines around, held against the backdrop of the Market House.
This exciting show will not only bring cars, trucks and motorcycles to Hay St., but also music and fun for the final day of the festival.
Trucks and cars can win awards in three categories: Antique (1900-1975), classic (1976-2000) and modern (2001-present day). Motorcycles can win an award in a general entry category. All categories have a first, second, and third place finish.
If the vehicle has been altered in a way that no longer reflects the year it was built, participants may choose the category they wish to compete in.
Other awards up for consideration are Best in Show and People’s Choice. Winner of Best in Show will not be eligible for other awards.
Registration for the event ended April 1, but drive ups will still be accepted day of.
Organizers ask pre registrants to show up between 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. to set up their car space. If space is available after 10 a.m., on site registration will be open from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. The show starts at noon, with awards being given at 5 p.m.
Registration is non refundable and non transferable. All vehicles have to remain in the show area for the duration of the show, until the end of the awards ceremony.
Judges must have access to all interior areas of the car, including the trunk and engine compartment.
Judging will kick off at noon and will continue until all the vehicles have been evaluated. Judges have asked the entrants to be present during judging, in case any questions come up regarding the vehicle in question. The show will be a rain or shine event, so come prepared for the weather.
The car show is the perfect way to end a fun filled weekend. As the cars line Hay St. and surround the Market House, festival goers can wander from the free concerts being held at Festival Park, stop for a ride or two at the Midway, grab a snack on the promenade, shop for local crafts, pick up a Dogwood t-shirt, and scope out the vehicles.
It promises to be a day full of fun, food, music, and of course, very cool cars.
For more information, visit https://www.thedogwoodfestival.com/carmotorcycletruckshow