Entertainment

Join the Festivities: 4th of July Local Events Guide

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Tuesday, 25 June 2024

Written by Sheila D. Barker

Are you ready to celebrate Independence Day in style this year? The Fourth of July is a time for friends, family, fireworks, and fun! If you're looking for the best local events to attend this holiday, look no further. We've put together a guide to help you navigate the festivities and make the most of this patriotic day.

4th at the Fort
• Saturday, June 29 at 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.
• Main Post Parade Field on Ft. Liberty
This year's celebration at Fort Liberty promises to be their biggest event yet. This event is free and open to the public. There will be three different musical performers, the 82nd Airborne Division Rock Band, parachute demonstrations, a flag ceremony, food, fireworks and more.
Event Pass & Parking
If you are not a military ID holder you will need a pass to attend the event. You can obtain event access online through pre-registration using a valid driver's license or state ID at this web address http://liberty.armymwr.com/ or in person at the All-American Visitor Center on the All-American Expressway. You are encouraged to obtain your gate access pass before the event. Waiting until the 29 will most likely leave you in long lines and expected delays in obtaining your pass.
Access the Main Parade Field through All American Main Gate, R. Miller ACP, Long Street ACP or Chicken Road ACP. The main parking for the festival will be at the Womack Army Medical Center. There will also be parking at the Chapel Annex parking lot located across the street from the Main Post Parade Field. See layout of parking areas here: http://liberty.armymwr.com/.
Music Acts
This 4th of July celebration will have not one, not two, but three artists plus the 82nd Rock Band to celebrate with you and all three artists are from three different genres - there will be music for everyone to enjoy! You will be able to enjoy music from Flo Rida, Plain White T's and Maddie & Tae.
Additional Activities
The fun doesn’t stop with the musical acts. Hold your breath as parachutists soar through the sky in heart-pounding free-fall demonstrations by the Golden Knights. Little ones will have a blast in Kiddieland, packed with fun just for them including a number of bouncy houses.
Feel your heart swell with pride during the beloved flag ceremony. The traditional Flag Ceremony will be with a cannon salute representing all 50 states and U.S. territories, Colors of the Major Commands, Major Subordinate Commands, Tenant Units of Fort Liberty, the colors of the United States Army and the flag of the United States of America.
Savor delicious eats and treats from food and beverage vendors. And the grand finale? A dazzling fireworks display that will light up the night sky!
Time Line of Events
• 3 p.m.- Doors Open (Food vendors and Kiddieland)
• 4:30 p.m.- 82nd Airborne Division Rock Band in concert
• 5 p.m.- Golden Knights parachute demonstration
• 5:30 p.m.- Flag Ceremony
• 6 p.m.- Maddie & Tae in concert
• 7:10 p.m.- Plain White T’s in concert
• 8:30 p.m.- Flo Rida in concert
• 9:45 p.m.- Fireworks
Food Vendors in Attendance
Food vendor menus will be available to view at liberty.armymwr.com later this week.
• Big Erv BBQ and 910 Sweets
• Caroll's Corn Crib
• CocoCrissi Tropical Icees
• D&J Concessions
• D&J Smashers
• D'Seal House Coffee Co
• Donut NV Raleigh
• Food Frenzy
• Fire Grill
• Gnam Gnam Gelato
• Hot Dog Central
• IceQueen's Ice out of Durham
• J&R Concessions
• Kona Ice of the Sandhills
• Party in a Pita
• Poppin Joe's Gourmet Kettle Korn
• Smokey's Grill
• Smoothie Island
• Tiki Grill
• Tropical Island
• Pink Label Bakery
•Beer will be sold by MWR
Planning Ahead
Be aware that pets, alcoholic beverages, glass bottles, and weapons of any kind are not allowed at the event. You can view the complete prohibited items list at liberty.armymwr.com. You are encouraged to plan ahead and check out the prohibited items list and parking layout. Arrive early due to heavy traffic flow. ATMs will be available on-site.
Tents are only permitted if you purchased a space in Tent City (which is now sold out).
Patrons who purchased a tent space will need to show their receipts when entering the field.

Independence Day Kickoff Celebration
• Saturday, June 29 at 5 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
• Hope Mills Municipal Park, Hope Mills
Enjoy live music from the eclectic electronic due from Wilmington: Krispee Biscuits. There will also be 15 food trucks, breweries, face painting, petting zoo, pony rides, a mobile rock wall and more. The night will end with a fireworks show at 9 p.m.

Independence Day Parade
• Thursday, July 4 at 10 a.m.
• Hope Mills
The parade will start at Rockfish Elementary and end at Hope Mills Middle School.
For more information on either of the Hope Mills’ events visit: https://tinyurl.com/mpschrd6

Independence Day Concert
• Thursday, July 4 at 7:15 p.m.
• Festival Park, Downtown Fayetteville
The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, the City of Fayetteville, and Fayetteville PWC present a free Independence Concert on July 4, at Festival Park in Fayetteville. Immerse yourself in a night of unforgettable performances from the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, Fayetteville Symphonic Band, Cumberland Choral Arts, the soulful vocals of Ayana Washington, and the patriotic pride of the 82nd Airborne Division Band.
Gates open at 5 p.m., and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m.. Admission is free, so gather your friends and family for an evening to remember. Savor the flavors of the region from our various food vendors and quench your thirst at the beer tent. The night will end with a dazzling fireworks display that will light up the night sky!
Please be aware that personal tents, pets, outside food or beverages, or bicycles/scooters are not allowed at the event. For more information visit: https://tinyurl.com/25xk6y3a

Fun Family 4th of July
• Thursday, July 4 at 5 p.m.
• Aberdeen Town Lake, 342 Lake Park Xing, Aberdeen
Get ready for an unforgettable Independence Day and an evening filled with thrilling live performances, a mouth-watering array of food vendors, and the company of your favorite people. Feel the excitement as you settle in with your blankets and lawn chairs, eagerly anticipating one of the region's most dazzling fireworks displays.
Events Timeline:
• Kid Zone: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. (Free - thanks to Fidelity Bank)
• Band: 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Fireworks: Approximately 9:15 p.m.
Important Note: Please leave your pets, alcoholic beverages, personal fireworks, and coolers at home. For everyone's safety, backpacks will only be permitted after being searched by law enforcement. For more information visit: https://tinyurl.com/475ybnxk
The Fourth of July is a time to come together with friends, family, and neighbors to celebrate the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. Whether you're attending a parade, watching fireworks, or enjoying a picnic in the park, there are plenty of ways to join the festivities and make lasting memories.
Take advantage of the local events happening in your area and have a safe and happy Independence Day!

(Photos: Top Photo-Fireworks explode at Fort Liberty during the 2022 4th of July celebration. U.S. Army photo by Jacqueline Hill Fort Bragg Garrison Public Affairs. Bottom Photo-The Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra plays during a concert at Festival Park. Photo courtesy of FSO's Facebook page)

Segra Stadium hosts Friendship Series

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Tuesday, 18 June 2024

Written by Sheila D. Barker

Get ready baseball fans, because USA Baseball is making a triumphant return to Segra Stadium this summer! That's right, mark your calendars for June 29, because it's going to be a night filled with excitement and thrilling matchups.
This game will feature the USA Collegiate National Team vs. Chinese Taipei as Game 1 of the 21st USA vs. Chinese Taipei International Friendship Series. Team USA and Chinese Taipei will resume a series that started in 1987. It's going to be an epic showdown between two talented teams, showcasing the very best of baseball on a global scale.
The Collegiate National Team International Friendship Series roster will be led by Alabama State’s José Vázquez. The three-time SWAC Coach of the Year was an assistant coach for Team USA last summer and guided Alabama State to the NCAA tournament in 2022. He has over 20 years of college baseball coaching experience, starting as a graduate assistant at Bethune-Cookman in 2003.
Vázquez took over the Hornets’ program in 2017 and has achieved a winning record every season, including a 41-win season in 2023.
The USA Baseball Collegiate National Team consists of the best non-draft-eligible college baseball players in the nation.
The summer season kicks off with the Collegiate National Team Training Camp from June 25 to June 28, where over 50 players will compete in a two-game intrasquad series before the final 28-man roster is revealed on June 29.
The remaining five-game series will take place at different venues across North Carolina, including Cary, Greensboro and Kannapolis.
Tickets for the Friendship Series at Segra Stadium can be purchased at https://www.milb.com/fayetteville/community/specialevents. There will be post-game fireworks for this event.
Get ready to witness some high-stakes baseball action at Segra Stadium this summer. Whether you're a die-hard fan or want to simply enjoy a good game, this event promises to deliver thrills, excitement, and a true display of talent on the field.
Let's come together to support these incredible athletes as they represent their countries and showcase the very best of baseball.

(Photo: Hamilton, a player for the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, bats during a game in 2022 at Segra Stadium. Segra will be hosting the USA Collegiate National Team vs. Chinese Taipei in game 1 of the 21st International Friendship series. File photo)

Fayetteville Pride holds annual Pride Fest in Festival Park

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Tuesday, 25 June 2024

Written by Max Atkeson

As the world moves towards equality and inclusivity, Pride Fest 2024 offers a chance to celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride. Whether you’re in the closet, out and proud, or an excited ally, Fayetteville Pride’s upcoming Pride Fest is an exciting event for all.
There are many ways to celebrate during the month of June, but Fayetteville’s Pride Fest continues to stand out. This loved event has been hosted for five years and quickly broke attendance records in 2022 with over 6,000 attendants. Pride Fest invites us to see the strength in unity and the beauty in diversity and inclusivity.
Fayetteville Pride is a dedicated group focused on acceptance, unity and advocacy for members of the LGBTQ+ community. Aiming to create a safe and inclusive space for all LGBTQ+ members, Fayetteville Pride started as an interest-based meeting back in 2017. The crew quickly evolved from party planners and created a non-profit community-driven organization.
According to its website, fayettevillepride.org, the organization strives to use education, celebrations, and networking to get its message across.
Fayetteville Pride’s objectives are to serve as an educational service for LGBTQ+ individuals and allies, advocate within the Fayetteville area, promote full human and civil rights, and create visibility for the community as a whole. They hope to work towards a better and more inclusive future for the LGBTQ+ community, model diversity and inclusion, and produce events that inspire, educate, and celebrate love.
This year’s Pride Fest promises to be an unforgettable event, bringing together all kinds of people to honor the progress made toward equality and inclusivity.
Fayetteville’s Pride Fest will take place on Saturday, June 29 from noon to 6 p.m. at Festival Park (335 Ray Ave). Attendees can find a variety of vendors and a large selection of food trucks sprinkled throughout the park. Look out for vegan and vegetarian options as well as ice cream and shaved ice to cool everyone down. There will be vendors offering resources, handmade crafts and gift items.
Pride Fest is open to all ages and people from all walks of life. Whether you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community or an ally, this festival offers a chance to celebrate love, equality and of course, pride.
Don’t forget about entertainment. Look out for professional impersonators, local vocalists and contests to participate in. Previous participants of Pride Fest will be excited to hear that the pose walk, a contest to see who has the best Vogue-style strut, is back. Do all this and more with a professional DJ playing fun dance music. This year also offers face painting. Don’t forget to bring a chair or umbrella to stay cooled off in the NC heat.
Krystal Maddox, the president of Fayetteville Pride, started out as a volunteer in 2018 after attending the first Pride festival. Maddox worked alongside all sorts of people: professors from Fayetteville State, medical professionals from Cape Fear Valley, local business owners, and members of the local arts community.
“We all saw a need to help our community with resources, allies, and interactions with one another,” Maddox states. She eventually became the entertainment committee chair, then onto a board member, and now the president of Fayetteville Pride.
“We are extremely lucky right now that we have a great team on our board. Our board now represents different aspects of our community in ways it never had before. We have trans women, trans men, gay men and women plus representation of different races. It’s a good mix— plus really good people.”
Maddox continued about how incredible these events are. “By far the best thing about the Festival is the atmosphere and people, not only the LGBTQ+ community but our allies and family members of both.”
While Pride is a time for celebration, it also acts as a reminder of the ongoing struggle for equality and acceptance in the world. LGBTQ+ people continue to be criminalized in other countries and outcast in ours. Pride Fest highlights the importance and impact of collective action all while marching, dancing, and learning together. Be a part of the change and show your pride and support through Pride Fest 2024.

(Photo: Attendees to Fayetteville PRIDE's Pride Fest pose for a photo in 2018. Photo courtesy of Fayetteville PRIDE's Facebook Page)

Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity Presents Homecourt: A Conversation with Coach Roy Williams

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Tuesday, 18 June 2024

Written by Kathleen Ramsey

When Brandon Price answers the phone, his voice is low and kind. He doesn't announce himself or even offer up his title as CEO for the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity. He asks how he can help and says he's pretty sure he can be of assistance.
His team says he answers the phone like this a lot and that he's a "great guy." Price started working at Habitat and became CEO about three years after he began. Now, after COVID-19 and years of the lack of events for most non-profits, Price and the members at Habitat are ready to host a large event. They are ready, he says, to get the community involved and to give back.
This time around, they'll bring the team-making, talent-building skills of Roy Williams, Hall of Fame former coach for UNC-Chapel Hill to the table. Coach Williams will do a presentation over lunch and a Q&A during Homecourt: A Conversation with Coach Roy Williams on June 27 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event, hosted at Fayetteville State University, will take place at Felton J. Capel Arena and be a venue where the audience can interact with Williams.
"He's really going to open himself up," said Price. "We aren't collecting questions in advance. He's going to answer questions [post presentation] like a post-game interview."
Williams, like Price and others, will focus on "the importance of a good home."
For Price, this is a beautiful tie-in for Habitat for Humanity and for Fayetteville. The average home cost in the Fayetteville area is around $250,000, according to Price.
"That means you have to earn a household income greater than $80,000. Do you want to live somewhere safe and affordable? Yes, you do."
Price says that to do so, home buyers have to look in certain zip codes and often those zip codes come with a price tag. Often, he says, the organization assists teachers, fire fighters, EMS workers and more individuals in public servant career fields.
"People who need affordable housing are not your impoverished community.
These are hard-working
individuals ... where we live shouldn't change life expectancy, but it does."
This is a subject that seems deeply personal to Price. He says the entire goal of the organization is to bring awareness to the need for affordable housing. The upcoming event will hopefully raise money for Construction Campus where Habitat workers will be teaching youth multiple trades.
"We want to spark something in them," he says. "We want to get younger individuals in the trades. It contributes to housing affordability."
The housing market, Price says, is losing that apprenticeship as many of the skilled trade workers are reaching beyond 60 years old. The young worker isn't looking into trades as a viable option for income or a career.
"A plumber makes just as much as the average district attorney ... or more. Those are the facts," Price says. "They don't see it as a first-tier option."
Coach Williams will be available to the public for about one and a half hours during the June 27 event. Tickets are $125 each and include lunch and a commeorative t-shirt. They can be purchased at https://www.fayettevillenchabitat.org/homecourt.
Williams will be able, Price hopes, to shed light on how people can get the best out of their teams and how homes play a factor in the lives of the athletes Williams has gotten to train and mentor.
After the event, Price invites the public to stick around and learn more about Habitat and how to get involved. For a lot of people, he says, they think Habitat for Humanity gives away homes. Typically, the organization helps secure a mortgage with a low interest rate for its buyers.
By building the homes themselves, Price says they can pass along these savings to the buyers. Anyone can sign up and volunteer with Habitat for Humanity. Price says multiple times he hopes more people do.
"It contributes to the building of our future ... We build homes. We don't build houses."

(Photos-Top: Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity will be hosting Coach Roy Williams, former UNC-Chapel Hill coach, for Homecourt: A Conversation with Coach Roy Williams on June 27. Bottom: Volunteers for the Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity help build a home. Habitat for Humanity helps those who need affordable housing. Photos courtesy of Fayetteville Area Habitat for Humanity)