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Tuesday, 06 January 2026
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Written by Anna White
Through ups and downs, the Mid-Carolina Senior Games always come back strong, just like its competitors. Now entering its 40th year, they’ve seen sparse seasons, including one year during the COVID-19 pandemic with only 50 participants. Last year, the total number of participants surged to nearly 400. This year, they hope to top that number by registering 500 competitors.
The resurgence is encouraging. The Mid-Carolina Senior Games are about more than competition. While the month of April will feature over 30 events across categories like power walking, pickleball, table tennis, swimming, cornhole, disc golf, arts performances, and more, Lashonda Gough, Mid-Carolina Regional Council health promotions coordinator, says they see a growing community impact surrounding the event.
“We see participants return year after year. We are also starting to see intergenerational growth as the sons and daughters of our elder participants are aging into the games. We have seniors who have never played certain sports try them and fall in love. We have seen seniors come back strong after injuries and illnesses. We have also seen lifelong friendships form through participating in the games or SilverArts,” she shared.
Participation is encouraged for all ability levels. Seniors 50 years and older, whether first-timers or seasoned, can pick a category that works for them. While some competitors have their sights set on progressing to the state or regional competitions, others' ambitions lie closer to home. In both cases, the goal is to “celebrate 40 years of Bodies in Motion & Hearts in Art,” according to a press release.
“We want to keep everybody moving and change the way we view age,” Gough explained. “People think they have to be a pro, they don’t,” she said emphatically. She believes seniors already have the skill within them to be part of the Games, it’s just a matter of not letting age stop them and finding the right fit.
In addition to the month-long lineup of athletic events, the April 23rd Silver Arts Display will feature performances and submissions in categories across visual, heritage, literary, and performing arts. “That’s something I’m trying to draw more attention to,” Gough said of the Silver Arts Display. “We had more growth in that area last year and even created a website to display all the art that was submitted.” She says the website is a way for local artists to show off their art to friends and family long after the Mid-Carolina Senior Games are over.
Gough says opening day is the best way to learn more about the events. Opening day will be held at Methodist University Monarch Stadium and includes open registration, a torch lighting ceremony, a health and fitness fair, and more. Registration can be completed online, or for those who prefer in-person registration, Gough says to watch the Mid-Carolina Senior Games Facebook page, where they will publicize several on-location registration events prior to opening day.
“If you’ve never heard of the Senior Games, just come to our opening day,” Gough said. “You’ll get to see everybody, see what’s going on, and get a feel for what the Senior Games are. Just come out! You never know what could happen.”
(Photo: Harnett County Ambassador and participant Timothy Lloyd runs at Overhills High School during the 2024 Mid-Carolina Senior Games. Photo courtesy of Lashonda Gough)
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Tuesday, 16 December 2025
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Written by Anna White
Cool Spring District is the place to be on New Year's Eve. For 5 years, they’ve brought lights, color and action to end-of-year celebrations with their Night Circus, a one-of-a-kind evening featuring aerialists, fire dancers, roving entertainers, headlining artists, food, drink, and a firework-laced countdown.
This year, the tradition continues, but with a few twists. No longer a “Night Circus,” the new theme is set to commemorate a musical era nostalgic to many. 90’s babies—get ready to relive your glory days.
Ashanti Bennett, president, CEO, and Senior Joymaker, for the Cool Spring Downtown District, explained the theme:
“MTV is supposed to be ‘dying’ on New Year's Eve,” she said. “They're no longer going to be showing their music videos at all. It's the end of the MTV era. And so for us, we are going to lean into that a little bit and add a little. Kind of bring some Total Request Live nostalgia, if you will, to the event.”
While past years leaned heavily into Circus-related aesthetics and motifs, this year, Bennet says everything will be “on-the-nose ‘90s.” From headlining artists to aerialists, each detail reflects an early aux era remembered fondly by many.
There will still be roving performers, and there will still be aerialists, Bennett confirmed, hinting that performers may instead appear as ‘90s celebrities like Britney Spears rather than circus entertainers.
“This year we've just softened the Night Circus piece, but a lot of the same performers will be there; they'll just look a little different.”
Sponsored, in part, by the Fayetteville Arts Council and the North Carolina Arts Council, Bennett says local artists will play a role in the event, setting the stage for headlining artists. While the local talent remains unannounced, they’ll be new to the event, as Bennett says they never duplicate artists.
“We want to give the opportunity for our folks at home to be able to grace the big stage in Festival Park and share with their own community,” she explained. “So, we will have three different groups that are going to be leading up to the headlining talent.”
After the local talent plays their pieces, Bubba Sparxxx, Yung Joc, and headliners 702 will take the stage in turn. Bubba Sparxxx, an American rapper from Georgia, gained success in 2001 with his debut album Dark Days, Bright Nights. Rapper Yung Joc, best known musically for his 2006 hit single “It’s Goin’ Down,” is also known beyond his music career as a radio host and television personality on Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta. The final act, 702, which takes its name from a Las Vegas area code, consists of Kameelah “Meelah” Williams and sisters Irish and Lemisha Grinstead. An R&B group, they were discovered by Michael Bivins and produced their debut album, No Doubt, in 1996.
“From doors open to doors closed, it’s going to be a hot stage,” said Bennett. She reminisced about her own favorite moments surrounding the Festival Park Stage, “All of my favorite memories are where I get to stop and be on the stage and look out at this crowd of about 20,000 people and see their faces. You see laughing, we’ve seen proposals, you see grandmas dancing with their grandbabies. It’s just a really, really sweet way to end the year.”
The event is family-friendly and features a 9 p.m. children’s countdown, where kids can experience the joy of ringing in the new year without sacrificing their bedtimes. Other kids’ attractions include a bounce house, face painting and a virtual reality tent.
“It’s an opportunity to bring your children, bring your family, bring your visiting relatives that are in town, and just have a good night in a safe environment that is incredibly fun,” Bennett shared.
While general admission is free, but ticketed, there are VIP options. For $75, attendees can access dedicated seating in the VIP tent, heavy hors d’oeuvres, a dessert bar, a dedicated VIP bar with two drinks included and a cash bar after tokens, and access to a private restroom.
As the evening draws to a momentous close, a custom-designed, 18ft multi-colored NYE star, symbolizing the City of Fayetteville, will be raised in tandem with the countdown. Why raised instead of lowered?
“We raise something because we are always looking to raise the vibration,” Bennett enthused.
“Whether you’re ready for the year to be over or you’ve had a great year and great memories, people are coming in with an energy where they want to let their hair down,” said Bennet. “You don’t have to be in perfect holiday mode. Why not come on out?”
District NYE Spectacular will be held Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. at Festival Park on 335 Ray Ave. It is a free, ticketed event. For tickets and more information, visit https://visitdowntownfayetteville.com/nyefaync2025/
(The Cool Spring District's New Year's Spectacular has been held at Festival Park, with a "Night Circus" theme. This year, the Spectacular will move slightly away from the circus theme and feature music from the 1990s as 2025 comes to a close. Photos by Tom Ellis)
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