Entertainment

Festivus Games held at CrossFit Raeford

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Tuesday, 08 April 2025

Written by Jamie Bishop

On April 26 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., CrossFit Raeford, located 242 Crossfit Lane in Raeford, will host the Festivus Games, a competition designed for novice and intermediate athletes seeking a challenging yet accessible fitness experience. Since its inception in 2011, the Festivus Games have provided a platform for the “95% of athletes who aren’t pure-Rx Fire breathers” to push their limits and experience the thrill of competition without the pressure of elite-level standards. This year’s event at CrossFit Raeford promises to deliver not only intense workouts but also a sense of community through local partnerships and shared experiences.
Kelci Noble, owner of CrossFit Raeford, expressed excitement about the growing interest in the event.
“We love the opportunity to support and promote other local, small businesses — and delicious food and drink make everything better!” Noble said. “So, being able to partner up with Carolina Hibachi and Yeleedo’s Cafe is a double win.”
The Festivus Games were created to give everyday athletes a place to test their strength, endurance, and mental grit without the intimidating demands of elite-level Crossfit competitions. Athletes will compete as individuals or in three-person same-sex teams across Novice, Intermediate, Masters 45+, and Adaptive divisions. The Masters 45+ division requires a combined age of 135+ among team members, with the youngest athlete needing to be at least 40 years old by December 31, 2025.
Unlike other Crossfit competitions, the Festivus Games are designed around capacity rather than complex skills.
“Everyone can row… just how fast?” reads the Festivus Games’ tagline. “Everyone can deadlift… just how much?” This emphasis on fundamental movements makes the competition accessible to a wide range of athletes while still providing a meaningful challenge.
Competitors can expect a full day of action, with check-in starting at 8 a.m. at CrossFit Raeford.. The registration fee is $80 for individual competitors and $240 for teams, which includes the chance to compete, an opportunity to reach the podium, and the camaraderie of working alongside fellow athletes. Registration closes on April 19, and all ticket sales are final.
While the competition itself is a major draw, Noble emphasized that the sense of community created through events like the Festivus Games is just as important.
“The beauty of Crossfit is that ANYONE can do it,” Noble said. “The goal of these workouts is that we can come together to honor and support others through fitness at whatever level you’re capable of.”
That sense of connection extends beyond the walls of the gym. The addition of Carolina Hibachi and Yeleedo’s Cafe, both local businesses, reflects Noble’s commitment to fostering community ties.
“We want to create an environment where people feel welcome and supported — whether they’re here to compete or just to cheer others on,” Noble explained.
CrossFit Raeford’s community spirit extends beyond the Festivus Games. On Memorial Day, the gym will host a 24-hour fundraising event in partnership with WarriorWOD, an organization dedicated to helping veterans manage PTSD through exercise, nutrition, and mentorship. The event will feature 24 workouts over 24 hours, each one designed to honor fallen heroes.
While the concept of 24 consecutive workouts might seem intimidating, Noble emphasized that all exercises can be scaled to accommodate different fitness levels.
At its core, CrossFit Raeford’s approach to the Festivus Games and the Memorial Day fundraiser reflects a larger philosophy of fitness as a means of personal growth and collective support. Whether pushing through a deadlift in the Festivus Games or honoring a fallen hero in a grueling Hero WOD, athletes at CrossFit Raeford are not just testing their physical limits — they are building a stronger, more connected community.
For more information about the Festivus Games or to register, visit https://competitioncorner.net/events/15424/register.

Celebrate Easter with events in Fayetteville

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Tuesday, 08 April 2025

Written by Sheila D. Barker

Easter Sunday falls on April 20, bringing excitement and joy to the community. Families can look forward to a fantastic array of local celebrations, including egg hunts, festive outdoor events, and special activities designed for children and parents to enjoy together. 

Going Over the Edge: Support United Way of Cumberland County's mission

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Tuesday, 08 April 2025

Written by Sheila D. Barker

The United Way of Cumberland County returns for its third annual Over the Edge fundraiser. This exciting event is set for Saturday, April 26, beginning at 8 a.m. at the Cape Fear Valley Medical Arts Center, 101 Robeson Street.
Over the Edge is an exhilarating fundraising event organized by the United Way of Cumberland County. This unique event allows participants to rappel 50 feet down the Cape Fear Valley Medical Arts Center in Downtown Fayetteville, providing an unforgettable experience for those who dare to take on the challenge.
Participants are required to raise a minimum of $1,000 to secure their spot in this thrilling event. The funds raised go directly to support the programs and initiatives of the United Way of Cumberland County, helping to address critical community needs.
“The great thing about the growth of this event is that we have a lot of the same amazing businesses sponsoring and have been able to get some new business as well by telling the story of United Way and how we provide funding to our amazing partnering agencies,” said Toni Wildhabler, director of development with United Way of Cumberland County. “We also have a lot of repeat rappellers which is so great and many new rappellers that are excited to make an impact with the United Way.”
The money collected from Over the Edge is allocated to further the United Way of Cumberland County's goal of improving community well-being. This financial support is thoughtfully directed towards initiatives focusing on education, health, financial security, and essential needs.
Last year, the Over the Edge event generated $45,000. This year, the goal is to meet or exceed that amount. The money raised will be used to supply books for children, assist families with medical necessities, and aid local food pantries and rent support, among other initiatives.
“The funds are going to go back to our Partnering Agencies who we provide funding for programs they offer to people in Cumberland County! So everything stays 100% local,” says Wildhaber.
By participating in Over the Edge, not only do rappellers get to experience an adrenaline-pumping adventure, but they also contribute to making a tangible impact in their community. The event helps to build a stronger, healthier, and more stable Cumberland County for everyone.
Getting involved in Over the Edge is simple and rewarding. To participate, register for the event and commit to raising a minimum of $1,000. Once registered, you can start fundraising by reaching out to friends, family, and colleagues for support. To register, visit https://tinyurl.com/mvkxsft5.
For those who are interested in rappelling but might be a bit hesitant, Toni Wildhaber assures it is safe.
“This event is 100% safe! We have Over The Edge Staff providing expertise the entire process from entering into the equipment to the last step on the ground! Rappellers can feel very comfortable and safe when participating.”
“It is totally ok to be scared, but we can assure you that we have the Over The Edge staff who come and secure the rappellers into the equipment. The Over The Edge staff is fully trained as they participate in many Over The Edge Events throughout the year all over the United States! Another perk is that we provide the rappellers to practice the week before with The Climbing Place crew and they walk them through the process. The participants get the chance to experience ahead of time going down with all the equipment on! So this is very reassuring for the rappellers!”
Wildhaber also assures that it is one of the best experiences.
“It is the most thrilling and fun experience one might have! The excitement of being on top of the Medical Arts Building while having so many great sponsors and people in the community cheering the rappellers down as they go Over The Edge! All rappellers will get an awesome picture of themselves right before they rappel! So they can cherish the lifetime memory of how they impacted the United Way and the community for life.”
Even if you’re not ready to rappel down a building, there are other ways to contribute. Volunteer to help with the event, sponsor a participant, or make a direct donation to the United Way of Cumberland County. Every contribution, big or small, makes a difference.
People to cheer on the rappellers, as well as sponsors and those who can supply items to put in the rappellers' swag bags, are also welcome. To find out more about these opportunities, visit the United Way website at www.unitedway-cc.org.
Previous editions of Over the Edge have been highly successful, with numerous participants sharing their inspiring stories. Many have expressed how the event not only provided a thrilling experience but also a deep sense of fulfillment from supporting a worthy cause.
The funds raised in past events have significantly contributed to various community programs, demonstrating the power of collective effort. These success stories highlight the impact that each individual can make by participating in Over the Edge.
Support for Over the Edge and the United Way of Cumberland County is crucial. The funds raised help to address some of the most pressing issues in the community, such as improving education outcomes, enhancing health services, promoting financial stability, and ensuring access to basic necessities.
By participating in or supporting Over the Edge, you are directly contributing to the betterment of Cumberland County. Your involvement helps to create a community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

(Photo: Those who raise the funds to Go Over the Edge will get a photo right before they take their descent. The funds go to United Way of Cumberland County, who use the proceeds to address crucial issues in the community.)

Celebrity Shots: Local stars shake things up at Archives

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Tuesday, 08 April 2025

Written by Amber Little

Hidden in plain sight is one of Fayetteville’s best-kept secrets, Archives, the only speakeasy in town. Dark green walls, golden accents, and velvet-lined furniture transport modern-day prohibitionists back to a time of surreptitious gatherings. While part of the mystique and allure of a speakeasy is its ability to exist without anyone noticing, Archives owner Joshua Choi wants the speakeasy to be a tool for community engagement.
Celebrity Shots is Archives' newest monthly event that brings in government officials, representatives, organizations, and community leaders as special guest bartenders. The community is invited to come out, talk, ask questions, and raise money for a good cause. Each month, the “celebrity” bartender will choose a cause or organization to donate the night's tips. Celebrity Shot is the last Wednesday of the month from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Archives has been hosting this event since February with past guests, Councilman Mario Benavente, who raised money for the Golden Bull Alumni Association and DistiNCtly Fay, who donated their tips to Millers Crew. This month, County Commissioner Pavan Patel will be stepping behind the bar and shaking things up, serving it up neat starting at 7 p.m..
Archives was always supposed to be more than a bar.
“[Celebrity shot is] what I think Archives stands for. We want it to be the hidden gem that people come to and have that experience and be able to tap into the different communities. Our solution was to tap into very specific communities, like Mario B and DistiNCtly Fay. Those who have their own demographic and can give back to the community. I think that’s very important. That’s where this whole concept sprang from,” Choi said.
Choi and business partner Nathan Cuffee have been working on the concept of Celebrity Shot for a while. Both of them own other businesses downtown and wanted to make sure Archives was a true extension of their business philosophies.
“One of the missions of Archives is to be a community connector. Talking with Josh [Choi], the founder, we thought, how can we connect with the community? How do we give back to the community through this space? We spent some time earlier this year bouncing around ideas of how we could make this happen. Looking at things that aren’t happening in the area. A long time ago, there used to be a lot more fundraisers in town where there would be a celebrity bartender and the bars would do their fundraising that way… And so that was the beginning.”
Archives is truly an experience, whether on special event nights or just a weekend nightcap; the speakeasy has slowly introduced a sophisticated experience highlighted by its signature cocktails and mysterious location.
A clue to help you find your way:
In the heart of Haymount, where the ghosts of Fowler's BBQ still linger, a blindfolded pig keeps a silent vigil. Seek the pig with the shadowed eyes, a relic of a bygone feast, found where the smoke thins and the civic stones stand silent, and the clatter of balls echoes from a neighboring stable. They say, behind that unassuming facade lies 'Archives,' a place where time bends and spirits flow like whispered tales. Forget what you know of Rowan Street; here, the past is bottled, and the stories are served neat. If you know where to look, and how to listen, the truth will reveal itself.

(Photo: Archives Speakeasy is inviting local "celebrities" to bartend once a month. Photo courtesy of Archives Speakeasy)