Entertainment

Woodpeckers hold preseason fundraiser at Segra

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Tuesday, 25 March 2025

Written by Sheila D. Barker

Segra Stadium is set to host the 'One Ville' exhibition on Wed., April 2, bringing together baseball fans and the community for an evening of sports and philanthropy. This special event will feature a preseason match-up between the Fayetteville Woodpeckers and the Asheville Tourists giving fans a sneak peek at the teams before the season officially begins.
The event is not just about baseball; it's about community. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m., giving attendees ample time to find their seats and enjoy the atmosphere before the first pitch at 6:35 p.m.
The Fayetteville Woodpeckers, a Low-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, are known for their strong community involvement and commitment to local causes. Their participation in the 'One Ville' exhibition exemplifies their dedication to using sports as a platform for good.
Fans can look forward to seeing some of the most promising young talents in the Astros' farm system take the field, all while supporting a team that consistently gives back through its Community Leaders Program.
The Asheville Tourists, a High-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, bring their own unique flair to the 'One Ville' exhibition. Known for their competitive spirit and skilled roster, the Tourists promise an exciting game for all attendees.
This exhibition provides a rare opportunity to see how the Tourists are shaping up for the upcoming season, making it a must-watch for baseball enthusiasts and community supporters alike.
The 'One Ville' exhibition is more than just a game; it’s a chance to contribute to ongoing relief efforts in Asheville and the greater Western Carolina region. With each $10 ticket, $2 will go directly to support these initiatives.
The Fayetteville Woodpeckers will also match the total amount raised from ticket sales through their Community Leaders Program, amplifying the impact of every ticket purchase. This program is known for its contributions to military, youth sports, and natural disaster relief efforts, making it a significant driver of community support.
Tickets for the 'One Ville' exhibition are available for $10, and all seating is general admission. Fans must select their seats when purchasing, and availability is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
To secure your tickets and support a worthy cause, visit https://www.milb.com/fayetteville/community/specialevents. Don’t miss this exciting opportunity to enjoy a great game while making a positive impact in the community.

(Photo: Bunker, the Woodpeckers' mascot, welcomes a crowd to Segra Stadium. The Woodpeckers will be playing a preseason game to benefit those effected by Hurricane Helene. Photo courtesy of Fayetteville Woodpeckers Facebook Page)

Celebrate Spring with exciting local events

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Tuesday, 18 March 2025

Written by Sheila D. Barker

Spring has arrived, bringing with it a delightful array of seasonal celebrations as the days grow warmer and longer. From vibrant food festivals to outdoor music concerts and artisanal craft fairs, there are numerous exciting events to welcome the new season.

Thursday, March 20
• A Spring Soiree at 215 Williams St., 6:30 p.m.
Welcome the arrival of spring alongside the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra! Savor delectable appetizers and a meal from Bees & Boards as a string ensemble led by Concertmaster Fabian Lopez, Associate Concertmaster Megan Kenny, and Principal Cellist Jesse Smith create an enchanting atmosphere. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/events/9524862430869796

Friday, March 21
• North Carolina Spring Home Expo at the Crown Complex, Noon
This complimentary show provides homeowners an excellent chance to get major discounts on home renovation projects while connecting directly with regional and nationwide vendors who can help transform your ideas into actual results. For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/2ut2dd7r

Sunday, March 23
• Dirtbag Farmers Market at Dirtbag Ales, 10 a.m.
Enjoy a day out exploring over 50 local vendors including local farmers, food trucks, and craft brews. For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/2p9ksns8

Friday, March 28
• Spring Garage Sale at Haymount United Methodist Church, 10 a.m.
Snag some great deals and support a good cause. The Haymount United Methodist Church will use all the funds raised from this garage sale to support their Youth Ministry and go towards their upcoming El Salvador mission trip this July. For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/27zuwhuk
• Spring Forward Soiree at Sunshine Beauty & Bliss, 414 Ray Ave., 5 p.m.
Ready to transform your entrepreneurial journey by harmoniously blending business expansion, personal wellness, and innovative creativity? This transformative event is designed just for you. For only $87.61, your ticket grants you complete access to the experience, including valuable networking opportunities with fellow entrepreneurs, all necessary activity materials, plus delicious refreshments and catered meals throughout the event. For information visit https://tinyurl.com/2na5f4nd

Saturday, March 29
• Springtime Vendor Market in The Mills at TruFit Gym, 2485 Hope Mills Rd., 11 a.m.
Want to experience an ideal family outing packed with entertainment? The Springtime Vendor Market In The Mills delivers exactly that! This lively showcase features local craftsmanship, unique handmade goods, and mouthwatering specialties. For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/bd7k2549
• Spring Cleaning Yard Sale at Vander Civic Association & Walking Trail, 128 Rock Hill Rd., 7 a.m.
Check out this fundraiser community yard sale. Vendors will be set up around the walking track. Be sure to also visit the food trucks on site. For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/52k3kxdb

 Friday, April 4
• Spring Book Party at Fulfillity Books & More, 5548 Trade St., Hope Mills, 4 p.m.
Bookstore celebration? Yes! Savor dinner, receive party favors, and play fun games with fellow reading enthusiasts! For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/4v2b7p3d

Saturday, April 5
• Spring Craft Fair at Hope Mills Shrine Club, 4461 Cameron Rd., Hope Mills, 9 a.m.
Experience a delightful day of handmade treasures and local artistry at the Hope Mills Shrine Club's bi-annual Spring Craft Fair, showcasing unique crafts and creative talent. For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/2ume6uah

Saturday, April 12
• Click's Vendor Market at 4181 Barefoot Rd., 10 a.m.
Join in for a delightful family outing filled with exciting attractions. Browse through local vendor stalls offering unique merchandise, savor delicious meals from various food trucks, and grab your favorite brew from the coffee trailer. Kids will have a blast jumping in the bounce house while parents relax. It's the perfect way to create lasting memories with your loved ones. For more information visit https://tinyurl.com/2kez7eke

Cork & Fork returns to Dogwood Festival 2025

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Tuesday, 25 March 2025

Written by Amber Little

Wine lovers and foodies alike, prepare to rejoice. It’s official. Cork & Fork, the beloved kickoff event to the Dogwood Festival, is returning to the lineup for 2025. Marking the official, unofficial beginning of the festival, Cork & Fork is the perfect way to start the weekend. After a short hiatus at the Dogwood Festival, organizers have ensured the event’s return will be nothing short of incredible as a guide through Fayetteville’s thriving wine and food scene with a touch of art. The fun begins at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 24 at Festival Park, in the grassy space left of the main stage right after the promenade. Tickets are $75 and can be purchased online at //www.eventeny.com/events/2025-fayetteville-dogwood-festival-16001/.
Guests will be treated to an assortment of tapas (small portions) style dishes from a variety of locally owned restaurants, local wines from two local wineries, live entertainment, and new to the itinerary this year, a cigar rolling class sponsored by local tobacconist and shop, Anstead’s Tobacco Company.
For those who are not wine drinkers, Wana Navu Kava Bar will be providing guests with non-alcohol options. Cork & Fork is not just an event to come and have fun, it’s an event with a cause. There will be a silent auction this year, with proceeds going directly to Off-Road Outreach, a veteran-centered nonprofit dedicated to bringing much-needed resources to military veterans, founded by award-winning, nationally recognized activist, Stacey Buckner.
Newly hired Dogwood Festival Executive Director, Kaylynn Suarez, is excited about partnering with local nonprofits to give back to the community that comes out and enjoys the festival.
“One thing we are doing this year is we’re increasing how much the nonprofit gets back from the ticket sales… all those proceeds that we pull from this silent auction, all those proceeds go straight to them [Off-Road Outreach]. So basically come ready to support and have fun,” Suarez said.
Suarez is doing things a little different regarding the food too. Instead of one big meal, she’s asked local restaurants to set up booths and present tapas-style dishes to guests. The variation in food will also be a unique change for this year, bringing everything from American cuisine, to southern comfort food to ethnic. Cork & Fork will be the perfect sampling of the diversity in our local food scene.
“We are partnering with local restaurants to do tapas style food, so everybody can try a little bit of everything versus gorging on one meal. I want people to try some of everything, so that way, maybe they try something new,” she said.
Artist Dan Nelson is the creator of the featured art for Dogwood Festival 2025. Nelson is a Raleigh native and multi-talented artist and musician rooted in the community. Nelson has an eye and hand for capturing the spirit of places and people, painting everything from wedding ceremonies to historical events. He has not only created magnificent works of art around the world, but his work can be seen locally on the cover and within the pages of Kidsville News!, a locally published newspaper just for kids, highlighting stories, art, and educational resources for parents and teachers. Nelson is also a skilled musician, performing with musical ensembles from street festivals to events.
He sums his career up by saying, “If there is a conventional and well-worn path in the art business . . . you’ll have to look for me somewhere else.” Check out his art and book a commission by visiting his website at https://dannelsonart.com/.
Up and Coming Weekly, Kidsville News!, and Up & Coming Pocket Guide publisher Bill Bowman is hosting this year’s event. Bowman, a long-time champion and advocate of the Dogwood Festival, is elated at the opportunity to host one of his favorite events during the weekend-long festival.
Guests will be serenaded by the smooth- soulful voice of the multi-talented artist and musician Nicholas Vernon, local artist and Carolina Country Music Award winner. Vernon will be performing acoustic versions of his original award-winning songs. A native of Vander, Vernon is the proud son of a third-generation farmer with a sound that pays homage to his childhood, by blending country and gospel to create his style. He has performed on stages all over North Carolina and South Carolina, including the NC State Fair and the House of Blues at Myrtle Beach. His talent shows in the awards he’s managed to rack up in the short amount of time in the industry, including the 2024 Carolina Country Music Awards Male Artist of the Year. For more information and to stream Nicholas Vernon's music visit his website at https://nicholasvernonmusic.com/.
Whether it’s Cork & Fork or the weekend in Festival Park, the Dogwood Festival is gearing up to be bigger and better than years past.
“We have an unspoken theme this year. It’s ‘community.’ We want people to understand that the mission of the Dogwood is to provide a service over self. This isn’t about self-promotion. Your ego is not your amigo. We have to set everything aside and do for the community because [our] heart is in it. We have all these events that we want to put together to make sure that the community feels seen. Everybody has something. Whether it’s the BMX, WWE, the different types of music, the food, the vendors, or just hanging out with family and friends and enjoying the sunshine,” Suarez said.
For more information on the Dogwood Festival, sanctioned events and volunteer information visit the website at https://www.thedogwoodfestival.com/.

Monster Trucks roar into Fayetteville Motor Speedway

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Tuesday, 18 March 2025

Written by Jamie Bishop

The rumble of roaring engines and the crunch of steel will electrify Fayetteville Motor Speedway on April 5, as the Overdrive Monster Trucks make their adrenaline-packed debut in Fayetteville. The highly anticipated event promises two massive shows, giving fans of all ages the chance to witness gravity-defying stunts and jaw-dropping destruction.
For the first time ever, the Overdrive Monster Trucks are bringing their trademark action to the Speedway, located at 3035 Whitman Rd. in the heart of Grays Creek. Tickets are already available for as low as $10, offering an affordable opportunity for families and thrill-seekers to enjoy one of the largest independent monster truck events on the East Coast.
With more than 90 minutes of nonstop action, attendees will see some of the best-known trucks in the business, including "Bad News Travels Fast," driven by Brandon Derrow, and the iconic "Virginia Giant," piloted by Cliff Vowell. Additional monster trucks will be announced as the event date approaches. Fans can expect to see these mechanical marvels crushing cars, vans, and even a school bus, all while performing high-flying stunts that push the limits of physics.
To elevate the excitement, the event also offers exclusive experiences. Attendees can purchase upgrades for the Monster Ride Experience, allowing them to ride in an actual monster truck, or join the Track Party Experience, which provides up-close access to the 10,000-pound beasts and a chance to meet the drivers.
Event Schedule
The day kicks off with a matinee performance, beginning at 10 a.m.:
• Gates Open: 10 a.m.
• Track Party: 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
• Monster Truck Rides: 10 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
• Showtime: 12:30 p.m.
An evening performance follows for those who can’t make the earlier show:
• Gates Open: 4:30 p.m.
• Track Party: 4:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
• Monster Truck Rides: 4:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.
• Showtime: 7 p.m.
Discounted pre-sale tickets are available now. Prices start at $10 for kids ages 1-11, $23.95 for adult admission, and $64.95 for a Family 4-Pack. Additional VIP options include the VIP Experience, $69.95, and the Overdrive Experience, $149.95, for those wanting an unparalleled view of the action.
For an enhanced experience, attendees can add:
• Monster Truck Ride Experience: $20
• Track Party Experience: $5
• Monster Truck Ride Experience with Fast Pass: $25
Event organizers urge fans not to delay in purchasing tickets, as prices are expected to rise closer to the event date. Tickets can be purchased online at Overdrive Monster Trucks.
Families and die-hard monster truck enthusiasts alike will find something to enjoy at this action-packed event. From the thrill of watching the trucks defy gravity to the chance to meet the drivers behind these mechanical giants, the Overdrive Monster Trucks event is shaping up to be a highlight of the year for Fayetteville residents.
Whether you're looking for an unforgettable family outing, a heart-pounding adrenaline rush, or just a break from the ordinary, Fayetteville Motor Speedway on April 5th is the place to be. Don’t miss your chance to witness the mayhem and excitement that only monster trucks can deliver.
Make your plans now — Fayetteville is about to be overrun with horsepower and high-octane thrills! To purchase tickets log onto: https://overdrivemonstertrucks.ticketspice.com/2025-fayetteville-nc---fayetteville-motor-speedway