Entertainment

Fall Festival at LaFayette Ford gives back to families, community

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Tuesday, 07 October 2025

Written by Emily Sussman

Leaves haven’t started to fall yet, and since it is North Carolina, one can’t be quite sure if a shift to crisper air is the actual fall or a second false fall. What is certain, though, is that Lafayette Ford is hosting its fifth annual Fall Festival on Oct. 11. While there will be no shortage of fun Halloween-focused local events, Fall Fest offers a variety of activities for everyone at no cost.
The event began in 2021 when LaFayette Ford hosted its first Truck Day, and it has continued to grow and evolve over the last five years. What started as a means of giving back to the community and the business’s partners has evolved into a fall-focused, Halloween-themed annual extravaganza that also allows visitors to give back and support the community.
“It’s a joy to see all the kids having a great time. We also enjoy giving back. Those are two of the key reasons we do this every year,” said Paula Lindler, marketing director, LaFayette Ford.
This year, the event holds special meaning following the recent passing of the business’s owner, Don Price, who was an active member of the community and a strong advocate for Fayetteville.
“It is because of Don Price and his legacy that we have events like the Fall Festival, “explained Lindler.
“Don led the company with a mindset of how important it is to care for your community. Whether it was through his service in the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club, civic clubs, his church, the Military Affairs Council, or so many other organizations, he generously gave his time and financial support to worthy causes.”
Price sought to improve the quality of life for the community as a whole and was particularly fond of the Fall Festival event. According to Lindler, his absence will be felt this year.
“He loved Fayetteville and Fort Bragg and wanted to help make it a great place to live,” Lindler said. “He attended Fall Festivals at the dealership and loved seeing the community enjoy the event. We think he would be proud that we are continuing his legacy through our annual event.”
The event is suitable for members of all ages in the community, and there are specific kid-friendly attractions planned for the day.
Children are encouraged to come in costume, and a Fayetteville Fire Department truck will be on site for them to explore. The event will have office face painting and a Trick-or-Treat as well. There will be local vendors to shop with, and prizes will be given away.
Visitors can also donate blood to the Cape Fear Valley Center from noon to 2 p.m., and they will be entered to win tickets to the Cape Fear Botanical Gardens. Additionally, LaFayette Ford will be hosting a food drive for the Armed Services YMCA at Fort Bragg. The first 250 visitors to donate nonperishable food items to the food drive will receive lunch from one of the two onsite food trucks, courtesy of LaFayette Ford. Both Flavapalooza and Allison’s Fast Food will be serving up lunch. Flavapalooza’s specialties include hot subs and offer a self-proclaimed unique twist on everyday foods. Allison’s Latino Fast Food Truck will be serving Salvadoran fare. The event will also provide free drinks to visitors.
The event will be held at the LaFayette Ford Dealership, located at 5202 Reaford Road, and will begin at 11 a.m. Festivities will be wrapping up at 2 p.m. The event is free, and all ages are welcome to attend and enjoy the festivities. Vendor spaces are free and still available for this event. Vendors or organizations interested in participating can send an email to contactus@lafayettefl.com for additional details.

(Photos: The LaFayette Ford Fall Festival is a family friendly event that includes a trunk-or-treat, food trucks and a mobile blood drive. Photos by LaFayette Ford)

Fayetteville celebrates season with Fall Dogwood Fest

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Tuesday, 07 October 2025

Written by Amber Little

Everyone is familiar with the award-winning Dogwood Festival that takes over the city every spring: a downtown staple that draws crowds in the thousands, locally and from beyond, pouring into the economy and highlighting local talent, artists, and small businesses. 

Lexington Plantation hosts annual Fall Market

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Tuesday, 07 October 2025

Written by Sheila D. Barker

The Lexington Plantation neighborhood is set to welcome the community to its annual Fall Market on Saturday, Oct. 18, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This family-friendly event promises a festive afternoon filled with shopping, food, and activities for all ages—rain or shine.
More than 70 local vendors from Lexington Plantation, North Ridge, and surrounding areas will showcase their talents and small businesses. Shoppers can browse a wide variety of handmade goods, including jewelry, home décor, woodwork, and 3D-printed items, as well as baked goods, homemade jams, honey, and custom apparel. Several food trucks will also be on-site, and pet lovers can look forward to adoption opportunities through local rescues.
Children will have plenty to enjoy in the Kid Zone, which will feature a holiday-themed scavenger hunt. By collecting stamps from vendor booths, kids can earn a prize bag full of goodies. A dedicated DIY craft station will allow children to make their own Thanksgiving candle, while games and activities will keep the fun going. Families can also gather for free Bingo sessions, open to all ages.
One of the market’s featured vendors is Paratrooper’s Chocolate Bar, a bakery founded by local entrepreneur Jazlyn Ortiz. Her menu reflects a blend of cultures, offering American, Mexican, and Dubai-inspired desserts. Among her most popular creations is the Dubai Chocolate Brownie, a rich and fudgy treat layered with kataifi crunch, milk chocolate sauce, and pistachio butter drizzle. Ortiz says her goal is not only to satisfy a sweet tooth but also to leave guests with a lasting memory of supporting a small, homegrown business.
What sets the Lexington Plantation Fall Market apart from other events, Ortiz notes, is its strong sense of community. The hosts are renowned for their high organization and commitment to supporting local makers, with excellent communication, vendor spotlights, and targeted promotional efforts. Vendor fees are donation-based, with proceeds benefiting Second Chance Ranch Rescue, ensuring the market also gives back to the community.
Beyond shopping and sweets, the Fall Market offers something more valuable: the opportunity for neighbors to gather, families to bond, and small businesses to shine.
As Ortiz put it, “These markets definitely allow families to come out and spend quality time together. It’s the only neighborhood I’ve lived in that hosts something this big.”
The Lexington Plantation Fall Market is located at 1407 Carnsmore Drive. With shopping, food, kids’ activities, and a welcoming atmosphere, this fall market is set to be one of the season’s most anticipated events.

Coming soon to Cameo: "The Smashing Machine"

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Tuesday, 30 September 2025

Written by Adam Taylor

This October, audiences will see a very different side of one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Beginning Oct. 3, the Cameo Art House Theatre will debut The Smashing Machine, a gripping new sports drama starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as mixed martial arts legend Mark Kerr.
Far removed from Johnson’s usual action-packed blockbusters, this film is being hailed as a career-defining performance that strips away the star’s larger-than-life persona and reveals his most vulnerable work to date.
Directed by Benny Safdie, best known for co-directing the acclaimed Uncut Gems and Good Time, the film traces the turbulent life of Mark Kerr, one of the most dominant yet troubled fighters in mixed martial arts history. Kerr rose to prominence in the late 1990s as a two-time UFC heavyweight tournament champion. With a background in wrestling and a ferocious fighting style, he earned the nickname “The Smashing Machine”, a name that carried both glory and burden.
Outside the cage, Kerr faced painful battles with addiction, personal demons and the pressure of living up to his reputation.
Safdie’s past films have dived deep into complexity, painting a portrait of triumph and collapse, resilience and fragility. And this film’s center Dwayne Johnson, who I didn’t even recognize when I first saw the trailer, puts aside his Hollywood polished image to embody the grit of a man defined as much by his struggles as by his victories. Just like Safdie’s Uncut Gems, Adam Sandler doesn’t appear to be the same ol’ Adam Sandler.
Johnson’s Boldest Transformation
Audiences may know Johnson as the charming powerhouse who dominates franchises like Fast & Furious, Jumanji and Black Adam. He’s built a career on charisma, comedic timing and the physicality that once made him a household name in professional wrestling. But in The Smashing Machine, all of that is stripped away, supposedly.
Johnson underwent a rigorous physical transformation, not just through training, but also by embracing prosthetics that altered his face and physique. Early promotional stills shocked fans; he appeared heavier, wearier, almost broken, far from the superheroic presence of his blockbuster roles.
In interviews I’ve seen, Johnson admitted that the process was frightening.
“It was scary to step away from everything I’ve built and be this vulnerable,” he said. “But Mark Kerr’s story demanded honesty. It demanded that I disappear into him.”
That honesty paid off. At the film’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival earlier this month, Johnson broke down in tears as the audience gave the film a 15-minute standing ovation, one of the longest of the festival. Critics immediately began praising the performance as a revelation, calling it the most profound work of his career.
A Story Beyond the Ring
While The Smashing Machine features fight sequences, it isn’t simply a sports film. The real drama lies in the quiet, painful moments away from the cage. Johnson’s Kerr struggles with substance abuse, with the weight of fame and with the strain on his marriage to Dawn Staples, played by Emily Blunt.
The film explores their relationship with unflinching detail. The love, the disappointments and the emotional cost of a life spent chasing dominance. Blunt’s performance has been singled out as a crucial counterpart to Johnson’s, grounding the story in human stakes rather than athletic ones.
Adding to the authenticity are appearances by real combat sports icons such as Bas Rutten, a close friend and former training partner of Kerr and boxing champion Oleksandr Usyk. Their presence lends credibility to the film’s depictions of the MMA world and blurs the line between fiction and documentary.
Safdie’s Distinctive Style
Director Benny Safdie brings his trademark intensity to the project. Known for capturing the raw energy of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances, Safdie avoids glossy cinematography in favor of something closer to documentary realism. Handheld cameras, long takes and natural lighting immerse the viewer in his films.
Critical Acclaim and Awards Buzz
Critics are already comparing the film to classic character studies like Raging Bull.
Since its Venice debut, The Smashing Machine has been generating serious awards chatter. With an 89% Rotten Tomatoes score and glowing early reviews, Johnson is being mentioned as a potential contender for Best Actor during awards season.
GQ described the film as “the first great Dwayne Johnson movie,” while Vanity Fair noted that Johnson “disappears into the role in a way few thought possible.” For a performer who has long been seen as a charismatic entertainer rather than a dramatic actor, the shift is monumental.
Showtimes and Ticket Information
The Smashing Machine opens at the Cameo Art House Theatre on Oct. 3. Showtimes and tickets will be available on the theater’s website at cameoarthouse.com. Given the film’s acclaim and buzz, seats are expected to fill quickly.