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Tuesday, 25 March 2025
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Written by Kathleen Ramsey
"I started running when they didn't have running shoes for ladies," says Sue Langley, avid runner and participant in the upcoming Mid-Carolina Senior Games.
Langley, who is 74 years old, talks quickly and excitedly about the upcoming event and her time of preparation for the big day. The road that she and a lot of other female athletes have climbed to get where they are today and compete like they do is nothing to take for granted. She and her fellow runners, she notes, appreciate every step. Langley says she always ran for fun for many years from college on but didn't realize at first that there were such things as races.
"My kids started running and wanted to do races so I did too," she says. "After that, I was hooked."
The Mid-Carolina Senior Games have been a long-standing tradition, but according to Health Promotions and Senior Games Coordinator Lashonda Gough, participation declined during the pandemic. Since taking over in 2021-2022, Gough has been rebuilding the event. Prior to that she says, there were a lot of audience members. Now, just a few years later, Gough is hoping to have around 400 participants. Last year, there were 350 participants and each year since has increased.
Spanning over a month, the event features more than 25 sports, open to anyone 50 and older— or, as Gough puts it, “50 years old or better.”
Gough reminds anyone to not let that underestimate the participants or their athletic skills. Langley, for example, is still training and running five to six days a week.
“Our oldest participant was 95,” she says. “We have some dedicated seniors, and they are healthier than I am sometimes. They are competitive. It’s a fun time. I love it.”
The games kick off on April 9 and last through May 15. Opening ceremonies will be held April 9 at 9 a.m. at Monarch Stadium on the Methodist University campus, and are free and open to everyone. Everything is broken down by age group including a group for those who are 100 years old or more. The events will include pickleball, track and field, table tennis, basketball, softball, mini golf, bowling, cycling and much more.
“We recently added disc golf this year,” Gough says. “I didn’t know anything about disc golf until we added it.”
Her favorite, though, is mini golf.
The event will also include a Silver Arts Talent show. These are the non-athletic events that include visual arts, literary arts and performances. All the artists will have artwork displayed. This portion of the event will take place on April 24 at John D. Fuller Sr. Recreation Complex on Bunce Road.
Langley will be participating in both the running event and the silver arts in watercolor. She has already qualified for running in the national senior games in Iowa that will take place in July. Participants qualified on the state level the year prior to the national games so she secured her spot for this upcoming national competition last year.
"It's keeping people young and active," Langley says. "So you don't just get old and shrivel up and do nothing. I can't wait."
The event will begin with track and field events on opening day and a fun walk. There will also be a health and fitness fair on opening day — all taking place at Methodist University. If the participants place in their events — either gold, silver or bronze — they will have the opportunity to go to the state-level games which take place every two years. After that, those winners can have the opportunity to go to nationals.
Spectators are welcome to the events free of charge and can come to any of the games. For more information or about schedules, visit https://mccog.org/senior-games.asp. Spectators can also follow along online on the Facebook page for www.facebook.com/mcseniorgames/.
(Photo: Participants in the Softball event pose for a photo during the Mid Carolina Senior Games 2024. Photo courtesy of Lashonda Gough, Health Promotions and Senior Games Coordinator)
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Tuesday, 25 March 2025
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Written by Amber Little
Although the Fayetteville Pride Festival is not until June, this year’s event has already seen a significant change—for the better.
In a monumental move, Fayetteville Pride and the Crown Complex have entered into a partnership agreement allowing the mid-summer festival to relocate indoors, expand its planned activities, and increase festival hours. This year’s event will be hosted in the Crown Expo Center, on Saturday, June 21 from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fayetteville Pride is expected to be bigger and better than ever in its new home. Fayetteville Pride will be joining several other successful and highly anticipated events that the Crown Expo Center hosts, like the Hugs and Kisses Consignment Sale and the Holly Day Fair. Both the Crown and Fayetteville Pride are excited about this new partnership and what it means for the growth of the festival.
Krystal Maddox, President of the Board of Directors for Fayetteville Pride shared how impactful this has been.
“The Crown has been an ally to Fayetteville Pride since the beginning. Their support for the diversity of the community is what makes this area unique and shows we have more people working together than ever. From Pride events to barbecue-cook-offs, the Crown Complex brings the community together at a time when many people are trying to cause disruption and separation in the community. As vendors at previous festivals, Crown Complex employees have first-hand experience in the difficult conditions caused by the extreme heat during June,” she said.
With the new location, Fayetteville Pride has already made some upgrades to this year’s festival lineup including alcoholic beverages available for adults to enjoy responsibly and extended hours, with the festival starting at 10 a.m. and wrapping up at 8 p.m.
“It is going to be more diverse than ever. As expected from our community, there will be drag queens like in previous years, but this year we will also be including drag kings…this year I am really looking forward to seeing the LGBTQ-plus community pulling together and supporting each other against this wave of hate we have been dealing with in recent times. It is also a time when we can receive and share the love of our allies and those who support us. More than ever we need to know that love will win and hate will not be tolerated,” said Maddox.
Attendees can look forward to all the festival favorites they have come to love, like artists, crafters, and informational vendors. Food trucks will be on hand this year, parked right in front of the expo center for easy access for festival goers. Fayetteville Pride organizers have ensured the festival has utilized every inch of their new home. This year’s festival will include:
Main Stage Performances
Educational Workshops – Informative sessions led by local leaders and advocates.
Kids and Teen Areas – Spaces designed specifically for young attendees to celebrate safely.
Community Arts Project Table – A hands-on creative space for festivalgoers.
Food & Drink Vendors – A variety of food trucks and beverage options, including alcoholic
drinks for adults.
Crafts & Goods – Unique handmade items from local artists and businesses. Community
Resource Hubs – Opportunities to connect with local LGBTQ+ organizations and services.
Security & Police Presence – Officers and security staff will be on-site to ensure a safe and
enjoyable experience for all.
More information about the 2025 Fayetteville Pride at the Crown can be found online at https://www.fayettevillepride.org/. While the partnership with the Crown Complex is a huge step for Fayetteville Pride, the organization is still in need of community support to acquire the resources needed to serve the LBGTQ+ community here in Cumberland County.
“Fayetteville Pride is in desperate need of an office, or space where we can safely provide materials and resources for our citizens and especially the youth in the area that are struggling with bullying, and a daily fight to survive. We need a safe space where people can talk to each other. Learn from one another and get information so that they know they are not alone in this fight,” said Maddox. “Pride is also reaching out to the community offering activities and more ways to connect with others who have the same beliefs and lifestyles. We will be having more game days and family activities. Hopefully even some sporting events and outdoor activities like hikes and softball games.”
Pride Festival is not the only time you can show your support. The organization hosts events throughout the year to fundraise and bring awareness. They have an upcoming prom on May 24 at the Arts Council downtown. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased by contacting contact@fayettevillepride.org. In a community that is home to a major military base, two major universities, a growing community college, and a robust business market, the diversity of the population is what makes it so beautiful.
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