Entertainment

Spring into Easter: Festive events "hop"pening around town

Details

Tuesday, 24 March 2026

Written by Sheila D. Barker

As spring arrives and flowers begin to bloom, communities come together to celebrate the joy and renewal of Easter. Across the area, families can find a variety of festive events—from colorful egg hunts and photos with the Easter Bunny to outdoor festivals and family-friendly activities. Local Easter events offer something for everyone to enjoy, from a fun outing with the kids, a chance to enjoy the fresh spring air, or a meaningful way to mark the holiday.

FRIDAY, MARCH 27

Adult Egg Hunt at Fascinate-U Children's Museum-6 p.m.: Why should the kids have all the fun? This Easter, it's time for the adults to play! Fascinate-U Children's Museum invites you to their 2nd Annual 21+ Adults-Only Easter Egg Hunt on March 27, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Forget the gentle hunt of childhood; this event is designed for spirited competition with three thrilling rounds, each escalating in intensity. Your admission grants attendees one free drink, an array of tempting snacks and desserts, and the perfect atmosphere for friendly rivalry and exhilarating chaos. For those looking to extend the revelry, a cash bar will be fully stocked. Tickets are available for $25 per person. Get your tickets at https://tinyurl.com/3r2z549h.

SATURDAY, MARCH 28

Easter Egg Hunk & Kid Zone at Lexington Plantation, 86 Centennial Parkway, Cameron-10 a.m.: Join the Lexington Plantation Clubhouse's annual Easter Egg Hunt and Kids Zone. There will be free Bingo with cool prizes, an arts and craft table to make bunny ears, lots of great vendors, and food booths and trucks. Don't forget to get your picture taken with the Easter Bunny. Egg hunt will start at 11 a.m. for those 5 years and younger; noon for 6-7 years; 1 p.m. for 8-9 years; 2 p.m. for those 10 and up; and 3 p.m. open to any age. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/y4hmraek.

Hope Mills Cotton Tail Trail at Hope Mills Municipal Park-9 a.m.: Forget the frantic egg hunts! Hope Mills Parks & Rec is offering a refreshing, family-friendly twist on Easter with their "No Egg Hunt" Event. Join the fun in the park for a relaxed atmosphere filled with exciting activities for all ages. Enjoy games, a petting zoo, music from a DJ, memorable photos with the Easter Bunny, a vibrant Chalk Walk, fantastic giveaways, and much more! The rain location will be the Hope Mills Recreation Center. For more information, contact Meagan Mereness, Special Events & Communications Coordinator at mmereness@townofhopemills.com or call at 910-426-4060.

Tails & Trails at Cape Fear River Trail-Jordan Soccer Complex, Treetop Dr-10:30 a.m.: Join Pawsitively Perfect Pet Care for their first community group walk at the Cape Fear River Trail. Meet up at the main parking lot off Ramsey St (Methodist University entrance) near the trailhead sign. Get ready for a 45-minute to an hour walk at a relaxed, easy pace. Bring the pups and enjoy some fresh air and good company. All dogs on a standard leash (no retractables) are welcome. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/y24eau88.

2026 Easter Dash at Highland Baptist Church, 4465 Legion Rd, Hope Mills-10 a.m.: Get ready for the annual Easter Dash at Highland Baptist Church in Hope Mills. This fun-filled event is designed for children aged 3 to 5th grade. Participants will navigate a colorful obstacle "dash" around the church campus, reminiscent of a "Color Run," getting showered with vibrant cornstarch as they go. Everyone who crosses the finish line receives a medal! Lunch will be served following the awards ceremony. Registration is required. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/2zwhh2de.

Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Stoney Point Fire Department-1 p.m.: Join the Stoney Point Fire Department's Auxiliary for their Annual Easter Egg Hunt on Saturday, March 28! This free, public event kicks off at 1 p.m., with age groups starting their hunts consecutively. Hundreds of eggs await discovery in each category. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/5dk3ea6k.

SUNDAY, MARCH 29

Easter Egg Hunt at Dirtbag Farmers Market-2:45 p.m.: The Easter egg fun begins right after the Farmers Market. Tickets are $5 per child and can only be purchased with cash at the bar. Each child must bring their own bag or basket to collect eggs. Time slots for the egg hunts will be 2:45 p.m., 3 p.m., and 3:15 p.m. There will also be crafts for the kids and a visit from the Easter Bunny. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/52j66suy.

MONDAY, MARCH 30

Pet Photos with the Easter Bunny at Cross Creek Mall-11 a.m.: Bring the family's furry friend to meet the Easter Bunny and get a photo. The Easter Bunny is located in the Food Court adjacent to All American Pizza. Get your tickets and learn more by visiting https://tinyurl.com/4ndawnf2.

FRIDAY, APRIL 3

Easter Egg Hunt at Dick's House of Sport-10 a.m.: Don't miss this family-friendly event packed with exciting activities, surprises, and a special guest. This event is for ages 13 and under. The first 50 children will receive a branded Easter basket. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/yut65vrz.

SATURDAY, APRIL 4

Easter Egg Hunt at Sweet Valley Ranch-10 a.m.: Spend the day with your family participating in delightful activities and making special memories. Tickets are $10 for 13 years and up, $5 for ages 3-12, and ages 2 and under are free. Add $5 per child for the egg hunt. To purchase tickets, visit www.sweetvalleyranchnc.com/tickets.

Hoppin' Around Downtown 2026 at Downtown Fayetteville-Noon: Get ready, Downtown Fayetteville. Honey the Bunny is hopping your way for the Hoppin' Around Downtown event. Meet Honey, the sweetest bunny you'll ever encounter, as you explore our vibrant downtown shops, restaurants, and parks. Capture memorable photos with Honey while enjoying everything Downtown Fayetteville has to offer. Plus, keep an eye out for golden eggs scattered throughout downtown. These special eggs are filled with goodies for the children and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/uty7bcsf.

Community invited to Step Up for Health at Methodist

Details

Tuesday, 17 March 2026

Written by Tara Kamiya

Residents from across the greater Fayetteville area are invited to take part in a morning focused on health, wellness and community support at the Step Up 4 Health and Wellness Expo scheduled for March 28 at Methodist University.
Hosted by the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation, opening ceremonies will begin at 9:30 a.m. to noon at Duggins Soccer Stadium on the Methodist University campus. Organizers expect more than a thousand participants from the region to attend the annual gathering, which combines a community walk with a health expo and family-friendly activities.
The community walk will begin at 10 a.m. Participants can choose between a 4k walking route or a shorter one-mile route. A survivor lap recognizing individuals affected by cancer and other health challenges will also be included in the morning program.
In addition to the walk, the event will feature a variety of wellness activities designed to encourage healthy lifestyles and community engagement. Guests can participate in a Zumba fitness session, visit health and wellness vendors, enjoy music, giveaways and food from local vendors. Families attending the event will find activities for children in a dedicated kids’ area, and emergency medical services vehicles will be on display for visitors to explore.
The Step Up 4 Health and Wellness Expo serves as both a community health initiative and a fundraiser supporting several programs within the Cape Fear Valley Health system. Funds raised through participation and sponsorship will support patient care services in areas including the Friends of the Cancer Center, Children’s Services and Heart Care programs.
Additional programs benefiting from the event include the Community Alternatives Program, which provides services for individuals who need assistance to remain in their homes, and the Cumberland County Medication Access Program, which helps eligible residents obtain prescription medications. Proceeds will also support the Nursing Education Scholarship program and the Cape Fear Valley Blood Donor Center, which plays a critical role in maintaining a stable blood supply for the region.
Organizers say the event highlights the importance of community involvement in supporting local health services while promoting physical activity and wellness.
Participants who register for the walk will receive an event T-shirt. Organizers are also offering discounted registration for groups. Individuals who sign up four or more participants through the multi-person pricing option can receive a $5 discount on each registration fee. Individual registration for the event is $35.
Employees of Cape Fear Valley Health have the option to register using payroll deduction. Staff members can enter their employee identification number during registration and use a designated payroll deduction code at checkout to complete the process.
Faculty, staff and students at Methodist University are also eligible for a discounted registration rate. Instructions for accessing the discount have been provided through the university’s weekly event highlights email throughout the month of March.
The event is open to the public and designed to encourage participation from individuals of all ages. In addition to the walk and wellness expo, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with community organizations and health providers that serve the region.
Community sponsorship plays an important role in supporting the event and the programs it benefits. Sponsors for the 2026 Step Up 4 Health and Wellness Expo include a range of regional businesses and organizations such as Cumulus Media, Castle Uniforms Incorporated, Alliance Health, Loyd Builders, MGA Homecare, Pure Barre, Systel Business Equipment, Orangetheory Fitness Fayetteville, Holmes Security Systems, Gill Security Systems and Bragg Mutual Federal Credit Union. Fayetteville Public Works Commission and Methodist University are also among the partners supporting the event.
Additional sponsorship opportunities remain available for organizations interested in supporting community health initiatives through the event.
Registration for the Step Up 4 Health and Wellness Expo is currently open. Community members interested in participating can register online ahead of the March 28 event at Methodist University. For more information about sponsorship opportunities or event participation, visit the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation at https://bit.ly/4dhlGnv for details.

(Photo: The Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation and Methodist University have teamed up to bring the community a Step Up for Health Expo, March 28. Photo courtesy of Methodist University)

Annual 222 mile ruck march is back for suicide awareness

Details

Tuesday, 24 March 2026

Written by Tara Kamiya

The Let’s Walk It Out ruck march will return for its sixth year from April 9 through April 18. This event brings together service members, veterans, first responders and community supporters who will put one foot in front of the other towards a deeply personal mission.
The annual event spans 222 miles from Fort Bragg to Camp Lejeune and back. Participants aim to cover approximately 22 miles per day over the course of 10 days. The march is designed to push individuals beyond physical comfort in order to reflect the mental and emotional strain often carried silently by those who serve.
Organizers say the event is rooted in a simple but urgent purpose. Suicide rates among military personnel, veterans, law enforcement officers and first responders remain a national concern. Many in these communities face prolonged exposure to trauma and high-stress environments. The cumulative and lasting effects of service can lead to mental health challenges.
The Let’s Walk It Out march seeks to confront those realities directly by creating both a symbolic and tangible experience. Participants carry weighted packs, known as ‘rucks’, across long distances each day. The physical toll is intentional. While sore muscles and fatigue can often be treated with rest and common anti-inflammatory medication, emotional pain is far more complex and often goes unaddressed.
The organization behind the event, Let’s Walk It Out 222 Mile Ruck March Inc., is a registered 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization focused on suicide prevention through a public health approach. Its programs emphasize awareness, early intervention and reducing the stigma surrounding post traumatic stress and mental illness.
Event leaders say the march is not just about endurance but about connection. Along the route, participants build camaraderie and share stories. The bonding process along the journey creates a support system that mirrors the kind of community many struggle to find after leaving active service or during times of personal difficulty.
Within the framework of the physically demanding walk, there is a daily and intentional focus on veteran suicide awareness. The number 22 comes from an earlier U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimate that approximately 22 veterans died by suicide each day. Although more recent data reflect a different daily average, the number 22 has remained a widely recognized symbol in advocacy efforts. Participants honor that symbolism by walking 22 miles each day, using the physical challenge to reflect the weight of the issue and to reinforce the urgency of addressing mental health within the military and veteran community.
Participants come from a wide range of backgrounds. Active duty service members march alongside veterans, law enforcement officers, firefighters and civilians who want to show their support. Some walk the entire 222 miles, while others join for individual segments, reinforcing the idea that every step taken contributes to a larger purpose.
Organizers emphasize that the journey is as much mental as it is physical. Long hours on the road provide space for reflection, conversation, and sometimes silence. For many, it becomes an opportunity to process experiences that are difficult to articulate in everyday settings.
The march also serves as a platform to normalize discussions around mental health. By bringing these conversations into a public and highly visible setting, Let’s Walk It Out aims to challenge longstanding stigmas that can prevent individuals from seeking help.
Community involvement plays a significant role in the event’s success. Supporters often line portions of the route, offering encouragement, water, and supplies. Local organizations and volunteers assist with logistics, ensuring participants can focus on the mission while safely completing each leg of the journey.
In addition to the march itself, the nonprofit raises funds to support several initiatives. These include its general fund, the annual 222-mile ruck march program, the Service and Sacrifice Scholarship, and an expanding 22-mile ruck march program in Puerto Rico. Each initiative is designed to extend the organization’s impact beyond the event, providing resources and opportunities that promote long-term mental health awareness and support.
Organizers encourage the public to get involved in multiple ways. Individuals can register to participate in the march, volunteer along the route, or contribute financially to support the organization’s programs. Donations help fund outreach efforts, educational initiatives, and resources aimed at preventing suicide and supporting those in need.
As the sixth annual march approaches, leaders say the message remains clear. Those who serve are not alone, and the burden they carry does not have to be faced in isolation.
By combining physical challenge with collective purpose, Let’s Walk It Out continues to create a space where resilience is strengthened, conversations are opened, and lives may ultimately be changed.
Registration and donation information for the 2026 march is available through the organization’s official website at https://bit.ly/4uDB2Jh.

(Photo: Participants in the 2025 Let's Walk it Out ruck march cross the finish line at Charlie Mike's Pub in Fayetteville. Photo courtesy of Let's Walk it Out Facebook page)

Mac & Cheese Fest celebrates food in all its ooey gooey glory

Details

Tuesday, 17 March 2026

Written by Anna White

Warm and creamy, golden and bubbly, mild or sharp—mac and cheese is one of America’s top favorite comfort foods. For the second year in a row, Segra Stadium is celebrating the drool-worthy food with exactly what it deserves: a day of its own.