Entertainment

Gates Four Summer Concert Series comes back with 80s Unleashed and Autumn Tyde

   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Big hits, lawn chairs and a little nostalgia are once again on the menu as the Gates Four Summer Concert Series welcomes 80s Unleashed and Autumn Tyde for an evening of music under the stars.

The concert takes place on Saturday, June 27, at Gates Four Golf & Country Club, 6775 Irongate Drive. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., with music beginning at 7 p.m.  The concert itself is free, but concertgoers can purchase VIP experiences through the Fayetteville Dinner Theatre. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit https://fayettevilledinnertheatre.com/shop/.

For longtime musician and producer Doyle Wood, founder of Daxwood Productions and a member of Autumn Tyde, the appeal of the series goes beyond the stage.

“The Gates Four Summer Concert Series has become a destination for people who love live music and want to enjoy a fun evening with friends,” Wood said. “People come out to dance, sing along and just have a great time together.”

This year’s show combines the energy of 80s Unleashed with the versatility of Autumn Tyde, a band Wood formed in 2023 after years spent focusing on studio work and music production.

“I didn’t like all these other guys having all the fun,” Wood joked.

The veteran guitarist and producer may have stepped away from performing for a time, but music never left his bloodstream. Through Daxwood Productions and Daxwood Records, Wood has continued producing artists and recording projects while building a band made up of seasoned musicians whose backgrounds range from higher education to church music ministries.

“We’ve got really good players,” Wood said. “Everybody’s versatile. Some of these guys play multiple instruments, and that’s what makes this band special.”

On June 27, Autumn Tyde will perform as a five-piece group featuring guitar, bass, keyboards, drums and horns. But don’t let the number fool anyone. The lineup is stacked with musicians who seamlessly switch roles. One keyboard player doubles on guitar, the drummer can play bass, and the horn section covers everything from soprano saxophone to aerophone.

The result is a sound that allows the band to move effortlessly between genres while keeping audiences guessing what might come next.

Concertgoers can expect a musical journey through the decades with selections from Prince, Santana, Eric Clapton and the Eagles mixed throughout the evening. Wood said the band plans to lean into the spirit of the night while adding its own flavor.

“We’ll just try to have fun with it,” he said. “That’s really what it’s all about.”

Sharing the bill is 80s Unleashed, fronted by Brian Shaw, whom Wood has known for years.

“They’ve got a great trio,” Wood said. “They always sound good.”

Bill Bowman, publisher, Up & Coming Weekly, is the mind behind the Gates Four Summer Concert Series. He has long supported free concerts in the area.

“80s Unleashed brings incredible energy to every performance,” Bowman said. “They know how to connect with the crowd and create an experience that lets people relive some great memories.”

For Wood, the setting itself is part of the attraction. Having performed and participated in tournaments at Gates Four for years, he appreciates the atmosphere as much as the music.

“It’s a nice venue,” he said. “You’re sitting right there on the 18th green. People bring their lawn chairs, some sit under the covered area, and hopefully, we’ll have great weather. It’s always a fun show out there.”

Those who attend the concert will find several amenities. Two full service bars are available. Food trucks will be on site, and indoor dining options are available, too. Door prizes are also part of the fun. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to watch the free concert.

Wood believes Fayetteville and the surrounding region are blessed with an abundance of musical talent.

“A lot of seasoned players have landed here,” Wood said. “People may not realize just how many great musicians there are in this area.”

As for what keeps him returning to the stage after decades in the business, Wood says the answer is simple.

“What these guys do for me is keep me young by trying to stay musically fit,” he said with a laugh. “The work is just taking the gear out there. The rest of it’s fun.”

And that’s exactly what concertgoers can expect, a celebration of summer, friendship and timeless music, served with plenty of heart and perhaps a few memories from decades gone by.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Join Hope Mills for 4th of July, America 250 celebrations

Festivities for the United States Semiquincentennial are underway as cities across North Carolina prepare to host celebrations for this once-in-a-lifetime event. This year’s Independence Day marks a special occasion — the 250th anniversary of the ratification of the Declaration of Independence, the founding document that announced the separation of the 13 colonies from Great Britain.

One such event celebrating the occasion is happening close to home. The Hope Mills Parks & Recreation returns with its 44th Independence Day Kickoff Celebration on Saturday, June 27. 

“As our nation celebrates our 250th anniversary, we are excited to celebrate the spirit of America with an evening focused on community and family fun,” said Meagan Mereness, Special Events & Communications Coordinator for Hope Mills Parks & Recreation. 

The celebration will be held at Hope Mills Municipal Park at 5766 Rockfish Road. According to Mereness, the park has served as the staple spot for the celebration for many years due to its accessibility, amenities and central location, providing ample space for residents and visitors alike to enjoy fireworks, live entertainment and much more. The Kickoff Celebration is free to enter, though it’s always a wise idea to keep some cash on hand for purchasing goods from vendors.

It all kicks off at 5 p.m. with live music from singer-songwriter Julia Golden. She hails from Carthage, NC, and recently appeared on Season 29 of the NBC television show “The Voice” as a member of Team Kelly, displaying her powerful vocals. The tunes will carry on late into the night with the renowned Southeast band Spare Change performing from 7 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Based in La Grange, NC, the band bangs out tracks across a range of genres, including country, beach music, funk, rap, today’s Top 40 hits and classic rock.

Like in previous years, this year’s musical acts were chosen for their broad appeal, vibrant onstage energy and ties to the Tar Heel State. Attendees can expect an evening of family-friendly fun with fresh entertainment and the return of traditional favorites such as face painting and a petting zoo. 

As a testament to our region’s plethora of delicious cuisines from varied cultures, attendees will also be able to indulge in good eats from over 16 food trucks. Options cover everything from sweet treats to schnitzel and Latin dishes.

A fireworks show at 9 p.m. will cap the night off with a patriotic display of red, white and blue bursting across the skies. The celebration allows people around the area to gather for an observance of patriotism, freedom and communal bonds, proving its enduring value to the community. 

“Events like this help strengthen community connections, support local businesses and vendors and create lasting memories for residents of all ages,” Mereness said. “It is one of Hope Mills' signature events and showcases the pride we have in our town and the people who call it home.”

Following the Independence Day Kickoff on June 27, the city’s 44th Independence Day Parade will be held on Saturday, July 4 at 10 a.m., starting at Rockfish Elementary and ending at Hope Mills Middle School. Parade lineup starts at 8 a.m.

Mereness notes that holding the parade on a separate day is an intentional choice that was requested by residents. This offers an additional opportunity for the community to celebrate July Fourth on the day of, keeping the joy and anticipation going all week long. Attendees also have the peace of mind of escaping the blazing afternoon heat while participating in the parade.

Registration for the Independence Day Parade closes on June 20 at 5 p.m. and is open to parties traveling with various modes of transportation, including horses, motorcycles and floats.

Both events offer a safe and fun way to enjoy this milestone with loved ones and fellow residents, marking new memories while honoring our nation’s history. 

“One of the most rewarding aspects of organizing this event is seeing the community come together,” Mereness said. “Seeing those moments of connection and joy makes all of the hard work worthwhile.”

For more information on the Kickoff Celebration and Parade, visit the Town of Hope Mills Parks & Recreation page at https://www.townofhopemills.com/349/Independence-Day-Celebration 

(Photo: Residents of Hope Mills gathered for fireworks at the 2025 Fourth of July celebration. This year, in addition to the Fourth, the Town of Hope Mills will be celebrating the 250th anniversary of the United States becoming a country. Photos courtesy of Town of Hope Mills Parks and Rec.)

 

PrideFest at Crown: Celebration of diversity, resilience

June is Pride month, and Fayetteville Pride is hosting its annual PrideFest, a two-day celebration of love, identity and acceptance. My crown, my pride, my love, they can’t hate away, is this year’s theme, a strong statement of living out loud. Fayetteville Pride has planned an extravaganza of a party for attendees on June 26 and 27. 

Festivities kick off at Cool Spring Downtown District’s June CommUNITY Fourth Friday with a pop-up party on the block on Ray Avenue. Fourth Fridays are a free monthly summer event for Fayetteville and Cumberland County Residents in Downtown Fayetteville. The pop-up will include a selection of Pride vendors, food, and family-friendly rainbow fun from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. 

Saturday is the big day—a full free day for the community at the Crown Expo Center. 

PrideFest is coming back bigger and better this year. Doors open at 10 a.m. for a full day of entertainment, food and fun ending at 6 p.m. Attendees can explore the Crown Expo Center, which will feature Pride vendors, including artisans and local community advocacy and resource organizations. The main stage will host one of the biggest drag shows the Carolinas has ever seen, as well as other live entertainment and performances. 

The lineup of Queens hitting the stage is iconic! Bringing the shine and the sparkle to the stage is community icon and entertainer, Jamie Monroe. Coming in hot, literally, to the stage, this 41-year-old veteran and Forever reigning Miss Gay NC America, Miss Gay NC USolA, and Miss Gay Georgia USolA is bringing their best gags, while channeling their inner Stevie Nicks and Marilyn Monroe. Coming back home to grace the stage is the glamorous Fayetteville native, Morgan Richards. An icon who started her humble beginnings in Fayetteville, she now consistently hosts two events, Morgan's Muffins and Mimosa Drag Brunch at McEisleys Tavern. 

PrideFest is completely free for the community, but for those wanting to elevate their day, there are VIP Bundles available for sale. VIP bundles include a VIP badge and commemorative lanyard, reusable draw string bag, Pride-themed fan, stylish sunglasses, sweet treats, merchandise from Pride sponsors and vendors, reserved VIP seating for the shows, backstage Meet and Greets with the performers and access to complimentary drinks and snacks. Tickets are $25 and $40 dollars and can be purchased online at https://fayettevillepride.org/pridefest-2026/products/vip-bundle. 

This year, Fayetteville Pride is putting on a Pride Community Yard Sale. The yard sale is a fundraiser to help keep PrideFest free and fund community access to resources for local LGBTQ+ youth. Community members are encouraged to donate items or shop in support. 

Although Pride is just a month, and this event is just for a day, the work the organization puts into the community is year-round. 

Fayetteville Prides mission is “To instill pride, celebrate unity, and embrace diversity and inclusiveness in our LGBTQ* community and allies, and to provide a support network and educational advocacy group dedicated to increasing awareness and acceptance.”

Throughout the year, the organization hosts smaller events that double as safe spaces for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. They provide creative opportunities and community engagement, fulfilling the organization's objectives of creating visibility and promoting full human and civil rights through education, celebrations and networking to the extent allowed by their nonprofit status. They provide a support network for the LGBTQ+ community and its allies, serve as an educational service and resource to LGBTQ+ individuals, to their allies and to the community at large and advocate within the Fayetteville area for increased awareness and acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community. 

Finally, they work toward a future without discrimination where all people have equal rights under the law by producing LGBTQ+ PRIDE events that inspire, educate, commemorate and celebrate our diverse community. The goal is to model diversity and inclusion within the organization and for the people they serve, maintaining an inclusive environment with equitable treatment for all. They work to ensure that all voices are valued and heard. For more information and learn about volunteering and upcoming events, visit https://fayettevillepride.org/. 

 

Inaugural Wine & beer fest at Botanical Garden

The Cape Fear Botanical Gardens at 536 North Eastern Blvd. are an oasis of nature in Fayetteville, providing 80 acres of native trees, flowers and plant life of all shapes, sizes, colors and types. All year-round, it provides a place for patrons of all ages to learn, to recharge, to connect with their community and their environment.  On June 27, the Gardens will provide another opportunity for learning and connection as they host the inaugural Wine and Beer Festival.

In 2025, CFBG hosted the first-ever Bourbon Festival.  The success of that festival inspired organizers to host a similar but unique festival in 2026, one that focuses on locally sourced and produced wine, beer and mead. Megan Panetti, the event’s primary organizer, has experience planning a similar festival at a winery in Arizona.  

Panetti explains, “After I was hired on [at Cape Fear Botanical Gardens], it was perfect timing to make it happen!”

The festival’s primary attraction will be beer, wine, and mead made in North Carolina.  Fans of locally-made wine and beer will recognize some of the companies at the festival.  Samples of wine will be provided by Locklear Vineyard and Winery, Cypress Bend Vineyards, Country Squire Winery, and Hinnant Family Vineyards.  Static Line Brewing Company, Heckler Brewing Company, and Bounty Farmhouse Kitchen and Tap will be providing samples of beer.  Rounding out the options for beverages will be samples of mead provided by Good Times Mead, Starrlight Mead, and Honeygirl Meadery.

Tickets for the festival will include 5 sample tickets to be used however each patron sees fit.  It is a great opportunity to try a variety of types of beverages.  There will be 2 different glass options-a stemless wine glass or a pint beer glass-available on a first-come, first-served basis.  Patrons will also be able to purchase full pours of any selection as well as to-go options.

The festival will not be all about the drinks, though.  Food purchases will be available from a variety of local food trucks: Graze Craze, Once Upon a Bite, Bella Nonna and Lucia’s Coffee and Treats.  Live music will be provided by Emily Musolino and Whiskey Pines, both North Carolina-based musicians.  There will also be an adult book fair in collaboration with Bound and Vine Bookstore and Wine Bar, located on Person Street in Downtown Fayetteville.  

The event will go on, rain or shine.  In the event of rain, the festival will move into the Botanical Garden’s spacious indoor hall, including the Huff Orangery.

While the festival is limited to patrons ages 21 and above (IDs are required), there will be a Designated Driver ticket available for those who want to enjoy the festivities but not the alcohol.  The discounted ticket includes a mocktail, provided by Once Upon a Bite food truck.

This inaugural Wine and Beer Festival is a celebration of much of what makes our region so vibrant and rich: drinks, food, and culture crafted with care; small businesses; gardens filled with beautiful and fascinating green spaces; and people who bring it all together.  What better way to spend a summer evening than enjoying all our little corner of the country has to offer?  

Join your friends and neighbors at the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens’ inaugural Wine and Beer Festival on Saturday, June 27, beginning at 4 p.m.  Tickets are available at capefearbg.org.  

 

Fort Bragg celebrates with star power, fireworks, salute to America’s 250th birthday

Music, military tradition and one of the largest fireworks displays in the region will once again come together when Fort Bragg hosts its annual Red, White and Boom Fest! celebration Saturday, June 27, at the Main Post Parade Field.

The free event, presented by Fort Bragg Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, opens at 3 p.m. and culminates with a fireworks spectacular after an evening lineup featuring national recording artists Hoobastank, The Fray and country favorite Niko Moon. Admission is free and open to the public. This year’s celebration carries added significance as the nation marks the 250th anniversary of the United States, giving organizers an opportunity to blend patriotic traditions with family entertainment and community fellowship.

“We have several special and exciting things planned in honor of our nation’s 250th birthday,” said Amanda Cahill, Fort Bragg MWR special events coordinator. “We encourage everyone to come out and participate in this historic occasion. We’re very excited.”

For generations, Red, White and Boom has served as more than a summer concert. The event has become an annual gathering that brings together soldiers, veterans, military families and civilians from throughout the Sandhills region. Cahill said that sense of unity remains at the heart of the celebration.

“The most meaningful aspect is that this event provides a visual reminder of the bond between the military and the community it serves,” she said. “It’s a celebration of freedom, service and the shared values that unite soldiers, families and civilians across the Fort Bragg region.”

The festivities begin long before the headline acts take the stage. A traditional flag ceremony remains one of the evening’s signature moments. The ceremony includes a cannon salute representing all 50 states and U.S. territories, along with the colors of Fort Bragg’s major commands, subordinate units, the United States Army and the American flag itself.

“It really honors our nation and those who serve,” Cahill said.

Families will also find plenty to keep younger visitors entertained. Kiddieland returns with inflatable attractions and bounce houses, while sponsor booths, vendors and military static displays provide activities throughout the afternoon and evening. Another highlight making its debut this year is a special parachute demonstration by an all-veteran freefall team comprised of former members of the Army Golden Knights and Black Daggers.

“We’re excited for that,” Cahill said. “That will be something special this year.”

Of course, many attendees will come for the music.

Alternative rock veterans Hoobastank and The Fray bring decades of chart-topping hits to the stage, while country artist Niko Moon adds his feel-good brand of Southern-inspired music to the lineup. Together, the performers promise a soundtrack that spans generations and musical tastes. But behind the concerts, fireworks and pageantry lies months of planning and coordination.

“It takes a multitude of support,” Cahill said. “We could not do this without our garrison directorates and the soldier units that come out and support. Because of the size and scope of the event, it truly takes everyone working together.”

She also credited longtime production partner Dougie Company, which has helped bring the event to life for multiple years. The celebration’s success extends beyond Fort Bragg’s gates.

As one of the largest public events in the area, Red, White and Boom continues to strengthen relationships between the installation and surrounding communities, creating a shared experience that transcends uniforms and titles.

“This is an event for Fort Bragg and the surrounding community to celebrate the independence of our nation,” Cahill said. “It strengthens that bond between the military and the community by bringing together soldiers, families, veterans and civilians to celebrate together.”

The event also depends on the support of numerous community sponsors. While federal guidelines prevent official endorsements, Cahill expressed appreciation for the many businesses and organizations whose support helps make the celebration possible.

For attendees, however, the experience ultimately comes down to creating memories. Cahill hopes families leave with a renewed appreciation for the country and the historic milestone being commemorated.

“Just enjoy the celebration,” she said. “Especially this year, with the historic 250th birthday. Come out, celebrate the country and see what we have to offer.”

Visitors are encouraged to review the event website at https://bragg.armymwr.com/calendar/event/107836 before arriving to familiarize themselves with prohibited items and security requirements.

Parking for the event will be available primarily at Womack Army Medical Center. Guests who do not possess Department of Defense identification cards must obtain an installation access pass in advance. Registration information and additional details are available through the Fort Bragg MWR website.

As the sun sets over the Main Post Parade Field and thousands gather beneath the summer sky, Red, White and Boom promises to deliver more than a night of music and fireworks.

In a year when the nation pauses to celebrate 250 years of independence, the event offers something increasingly rare, an opportunity for military and civilian communities to stand side by side, celebrate together and be reminded that some traditions are still worth gathering for.

Red, White and Boom begins at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 27, at the Main Post Parade Field on Fort Bragg. Admission is free.

(Photo: The 82nd Airborne Division Chorus performs during 2025's Red, White & Boom Fest at Fort Bragg.)

 

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