Entertainment

Fayetteville Ghost Walk brings the city’s haunted past to life

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Tuesday, 25 November 2025

Written by Sheila D. Barker

Fayetteville, established in 1756, has always been a city where history lingers in the air—sometimes in ways that send a chill down the spine. With centuries of triumph, tragedy, and transformation behind it, Fayetteville carries stories that refuse to rest quietly.
Beginning Nov. 22, locals and visitors alike will have the chance to step directly into that haunted past during the Fayetteville Ghost Walk, presented by Triangle Walking Tours. This recurring tour will take place every Saturday from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., offering an atmospheric evening steeped in eerie tales and lingering spirits.
The one-hour tour begins at Garnet Skull, 120 Hay Street, a fittingly mysterious starting point that sets the mood for what lies ahead. As guests gather under the streetlamps of Historic Downtown Fayetteville, the guide leads them into a world where the veil between past and present feels unusually thin. This isn’t a simple stroll through local landmarks—it’s a journey into the heart of the city’s most unsettling stories.
Participants will hear the enduring legend of Fayetteville’s ghostly mourning brides, women said to wander eternal paths after meeting tragic fates. These tales are woven with sorrow, romance, and unexplained sightings reported throughout the decades. Equally chilling are the stories surrounding the city’s old penitentiary, where restless prisoners are rumored to still linger, their presence felt by those who wander too close after dark.
Triangle Walking Tours has crafted an experience that is both informative and spine-tingling—a blend of researched history and the supernatural whispers that have endured through time. Each stop along the route combines storytelling with architectural and historical context, fostering a deeper appreciation for the city’s heritage and the mysteries embedded in its foundation.
Seasoned ghost-tour enthusiasts, local history buffs or those simply looking for a uniquely thrilling Saturday night will find that the Fayetteville Ghost Walk promises an evening of intrigue, atmosphere, and perhaps even a few goosebumps. As the tour winds through the historic streets, one thing becomes clear: in Fayetteville, the past is never truly gone—and it just might be walking beside you.
Tickets for this tour are $15 per person. For more information on this tour and to purchase tickets, visit Triangle Walking Tours online at https://www.trianglewalkingtours.com/book-online

Fayetteville's premier high school basketball showcase returns for eighth year

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Tuesday, 25 November 2025

Written by Katie Herring

Get ready to cheer, Fayetteville! The hardwood is calling, and the buzz of high school basketball season is about to reach a fever pitch right here in our community. On Nov. 28 and 29, the Methodist University campus, located at 5435 Ramsey Street, will once again become the epicenter of local and regional basketball talent as it hosts the 8th Annual Hoops and Dreams High School Basketball Showcase.
The showcase features girls and boys teams from both public and private schools. Several Cumberland County School teams will be featured, as well as teams from Moore County, Harnett County, Hoke County and more.
This isn't just another weekend of basketball; it's an annual tradition and a cornerstone community event that brings together high school athletes, their families and fans for two days of exhilarating competition. For just $20, fans can purchase a day pass that grants all-day access to every thrilling game, making it an affordable and action-packed way to spend the post-Thanksgiving weekend.
A Bridge to the Next Level
While the atmosphere promises exciting entertainment for every basketball fan, the core mission of the Hoops and Dreams Showcase is profoundly impactful: to provide a critical platform for underserved high school basketball players to gain crucial visibility.
In today’s competitive athletic landscape, simply being talented isn’t enough. Players need to be seen by the right people to advance their careers. That’s at the heart of this showcase’s purpose. This year, the event continues its powerful partnership with Phenom Hoops, a nationally recognized scouting service. This collaboration ensures that the gymnasium is filled not just with cheering fans, but also with influential college coaches and scouts.
Phenom Hoops acts as a crucial liaison, connecting promising high school players directly to the next level—whether that’s a spot on a Division I, II, or III collegiate team, or even a shot at professional basketball. For many athletes, this showcase represents the single most important opportunity of their young careers to catch the eye of someone who can open the door to a college education and continued athletic pursuit.
The goal is clear: to democratize the scouting process and ensure that talent, regardless of school size or geographical location, gets the recognition it deserves without having to travel long distances or pay expensive fees.

The Perfect Time for Family and Fans
The timing of the Hoops and Dreams Showcase is no accident. Strategically scheduled for the weekend immediately following Thanksgiving, the dates were chosen with the players’ families in mind.
By holding the showcase right after Thanksgiving, families who may already be in town for the holiday have the perfect chance to extend their visit and watch their loved ones compete on a major stage. It’s about celebrating both family and basketball.
Furthermore, placing the event at the beginning of the regular basketball season serves a critical purpose. It provides a high-level competitive proving ground just as teams are hitting their stride. It allows coaches to evaluate their squads against top-tier competition early on, and it gives players a chance to set the tone for their season with an impressive showing in front of scouts. The Showcase effectively kicks off the competitive year with a bang.
A True Community Event
While its reach is national, the heart of the Hoops and Dreams Showcase remains fiercely local. The organizers are emphatic: this is a community event, intended to bring together athletes and fans to celebrate the next generation of basketball talent.
Hosting the event at Methodist University not only provides an excellent, central facility but also underscores the partnership between local institutions and the community at large. The success of the showcase relies heavily on the support of Fayetteville residents—the fans, the volunteers, and local businesses.
For the young men and women competing, the cheers from the stands aren't just noise; they are a vital source of energy and support. When the stands are packed, it demonstrates to the visiting scouts and the athletes themselves that the local community cares deeply about their success and their future. This communal embrace can be the difference-maker for a player battling nerves or striving for a key play.
Don't Miss the Action!
Whether you’re a die-hard fan looking to scout the next college superstar, a community member eager to support local youth, or a family member ready to cheer on your athlete, the 8th Annual Hoops and Dreams High School Basketball Showcase is an event you won't want to miss.
Mark your calendars for Nov. 28 and 29. Head down to Methodist University and be a part of the excitement. Come witness the dreams being pursued, the hard work being celebrated, and the talent being discovered. Tickets will be on sale at the door both days of the Showcase. Attendance doesn't just buy you a day of great basketball; it supports the future of high school athletes looking to take their game to the next level. For more information, go to lucasmoorerealthyinc.com/hoops-and-dreams.
We’ll see you on the court!

(Hoops and Dreams is a basketball event open to high school students in Cumberland County. Photo courtesy of Hoops & Dreams)

Christmas on the farm: Market at S&K celebrates holidays

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Tuesday, 25 November 2025

Written by Crissy Neville

Enjoy a down-home holiday on the farm at the inaugural Christmas Market at S&K, set for Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entertainment, vendors, farm-fresh products, food, fun, and even Old Saint Nick are coming to S&K Farm Market, 3607 Chicken Foot Road in Hope Mills, to help put the fa-la-la-la-la in your 2025 festivities.
Brother and sister owners and operators, Ryan Kennedy and Paige Smart, are excited to offer this December event following their inaugural and very successful fall festival held on Oct. 4. While events are new to the ever-diversifying operation, agriculture and everything from cattle to crops are not. Kennedy and Smart are following in the footsteps of earlier generations, including their parents, Rose and David Kennedy. The land has been a working farm since the mid-1800s, in the Smith family lineage on their mother’s side for six generations.
“We have transitioned from Smith & Kennedy to Smart & Kennedy, but we’ve all managed it together over the years,” Ryan explained.
Growing high-quality hay and raising Red Angus and Black Angus cows under the LLC of S&K Livestock Development, the farmers sell Bermuda and alfalfa hay and their signature grass-fed, grass-finished farm beef. We’re talking steaks, beef stew, hamburger roasts, brisket, ribs and other quality cuts. For more than a decade, S&K has also marketed its beef to brands sold through Whole Foods and Harris Teeter supermarkets.
“We do a little of everything,” said Paige. “You can come in and buy a pound of ground beef, one rib eye or a roast. And then, we also sell shares if you want to order a 1/4, 1/2 or a whole cow and offer bundles to give people a little bit of a discount.”
For example, the November bundle brings the beef in a big way—a large chuck roast, a wide selection of dinner staples including ground beef, beef stew and stir fry, plus two sirloin steaks.
When you don’t feel like cooking, cozy up to the delicious ready-to-cook meals from Pies & Sides, sold in the S&K freezer. Chicken Pot Pie, Chicken & Dressing Casserole, Shepherd’s Pie and other dishes are pie-in-the-sky delicious and convenient. The new Country Girl Pie is a mashup of cubed steak, gravy and grits.
What else can be sourced from S&K? The collaborative farm partners with other local farms to offer Dixie Duroc pasture-raised pork, The R Farmstead poultry and eggs, Parnell Acres lamb, Good Seeds Microgreens, Sandhills Mushroom Co. mushrooms, Charissa’s Salsa and Painted Desert Sauces. Regular favorites Veterans of America Roastery coffee, Blooms Backyard Flower Co. bouquets, Closer to Eden baked goods and Sweet Southern Macarons stock the shelves at S&K, too. Home décor from Sassy Hassy and Chickenfoot Crafts, plus products from Homestead Creamery, featuring milk, custard and seasonal eggnog direct from a Virginia Amish community, ensures market carts are never empty.
“It’s the most addictive milk ever,” according to Paige and countless Facebook reviewers.
What about seasonal produce and products? Whether it's collards and pecans for the holidays or tomatoes and squash come summer, the market makes shopping by the calendar easy. Sip by the season while you shop with a Lu Mil non-alcoholic slushie, deliciously sold in a variety of rotating flavors. When available, keep it cool with grape, watermelon, cherry, peach, pineapple or lemonade. Spice things up with the Hot Apple Cider variety.
With free admission, Dec. 6 Christmas Market-goers will enjoy complimentary and ticketed activities and over 70 family-owned businesses and vendors set up on the grounds. Parkton Animal Oasis exotic animal petting zoo, goat petting and milking, a farm hayride and photography with Santa are available for a nominal fee each. Free activities include the Santa Meet and Greet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a hay bale decorating contest. Guests can shop from the large product lineup, including arts and crafts, toys, custom shirts and hats, fine art, jewelry, home décor, snacks, baked goods, bread, coffee, healthy food creations, and of course, the farm’s menu of meats. Make it a day and have lunch from the Pittsburgh-inspired Yinzers and/or pizza from Pazzos; both food trucks will be on site. The event rain date is Dec. 13.
Find out more about the holiday happening and the farm on Facebook @S&K Farm Market.

Sweet Tea Shakespeare holds annual holiday concert

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Tuesday, 25 November 2025

Written by Aly Hansen

Sweet Tea Shakespeare will help usher in the season with Behold. The concert will be held Dec. 4-6, beginning at 7:30 p.m., at the Holy Trinity Episcopal Church at 1601 Raeford Rd. The show, a mix of story telling and song, creates a unique experience meant to be thoughtful and uplifting.
“This is one of those shows that our performers (myself included) look forward to coming back to year after year. It truly is a magical, beautiful experience to blend joyful noises and contemplative sounds together. For me, it is like a breath of fresh air after rushing around all year,” said Jessie Wise, executive director and CEO of Sweet Tea Shakespeare. “It's my hope the rest of the performers and the audience get to experience that as well.”
Holy Trinity Episcopal Church serves as the backdrop to the event, a tradition that Wise says has been going on since Behold began several years ago.
“Holy Trinity Episcopal Church has graciously been hosting this concert since we began offering it many years ago. We will be performing in their Sanctuary, which is a beautiful space for this concert,” Wise said.
The concert includes select readings as well as songs from Andrew Peterson’s Behold the Lamb of God and the Oh Hellos. Wise said STS likes to call the performance a folk Christmas cantata. The majority of those performing this year have been a part of Behold or other Sweet Tea Shakespeare productions in the past.
“Behold will be sung by Traycie Kuhn-Zapata, Lexi Robinson, Jeremy Fiebig, Tocarra Patrick, Taj Allen, Greg Harper, Izaiah Zapata and myself, and musicians include Jacob French (guitar), Mike Canino (bass), Jonathan Breitzer (violin), Joel Wise (drums), Dean Dibling (guitar), and Evan Bridenstine(keyboard),” Wise said.
Behold has been a fixture in the Fayetteville community for several years.
“I believe it began as a passion project from our music director, Jacob French and STS founder Jeremy Fiebig,” she said.
The passion is truly felt, as the performance leaves both the audience and performers feeling introspective. STS’s website says the performance is a way to “feel the spirit of the Season.”
It is with this in mind that STS has designated the performance as a “pay as you can” show. Tickets can be purchased through their website at https://sweetteashakespeare.com/behold-december-fayetteville/, and concert goers can choose how much they pay for their tickets.
“We want to make sure that tickets are accessible to all, especially during the holiday season when finances are tight,” Wise said. “The pay what you will option provides opportunities for us to open our performance to everyone while also allowing those who feel passionately about our productions to give back. We have used this model for some other concerts in the past, and probably will do so in the future.”
Described as an intimate concert that “blends stirring melodies and meaningful narratives,” Behold will truly be an event to bring in the holiday season. It will be a time when those who attend can breathe and feel a few moments of peace.
“This time of year, it's so easy to get lost in the hustle and bustle and stress of the season and expectations placed on ourselves, either by others or ourselves,” Wise said. “We hope that Behold is an opportunity to slow down, take a deep breath, and reflect on the stories of the season.”