As much a part of our country’s history and quest for freedom as our founding fathers, Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette, fought as a major-general in the Continental Army under George Washington. So significant was his contribution to the revolution, that in 1783, our fair city took his name, becoming Fayetteville. On Saturday, Sept. 10, the Lafayette Society of Fayetteville is honoring our city’s namesake with the fourth annual Lafayette Celebration. The day is packed with fun-filled events and activities that offer something for everyone.

“Lafayette played a very signifi cant part in American history,” said Hank Parfi tt, president of the Lafayette Society. “Without his help, America may not have won the Revolutionary War. He was very open minded and willing to consider that perhaps the best way to fight in America is not the same as the best way to win a war in Europe. That helped signifi cantly.”

Start the day off right at the Lafayette French Toast Breakfast Fundraiser for the Child Advocacy Center at Horne’s Café. The breakfast includes coffee, bacon or sausage and, of course, French toast. The cost is $7, and for every plate sold, Horne’s Cafe´ will donate $2 to the Child Advocacy Center. Advance tickets are available at Horne’s Café as well as the Child Advocacy Center on Ray Avenue. Tickets will also be available at the door the day of the event.

At 9 a.m., there is a guided tour of the Lafayette Trail, which is one of the Cultural Heritage Driving Trails sponsored by the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. 

The trail begins at the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Headquarters and Museum on Burgess Street. It covers the route that Lafayette travelled through Fayetteville when he visited the city in 1825. The tour also includes coffee, a screening of Vivé Lafayette and ends with a luncheon at the Market House. Tickets are $30 a person and registration is required. Call 678-8899 to find out more

.If the tour does not interest you, the Lafayette Rotary Club is having a 10K, 5K and one-mile, fun run/walk. Registration starts at 8 a.m. at Fayetteville Technical Community College at the corner of Hull Road and FTCC Access Road. Pre-register before Sept. 4 and pay just $20. Funds raised will be used to buy dictionaries for Cumberland County school children. Register at www.active.com or by calling 850-8813.

The All American Fencing Academy is hosting the Lafayette Open Fencing Tournament from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at their fencing studio at 207 B Donaldson St. The Lafayette Open is sanctioned by the North Carolina division of the United States Fencing Association. The public is invited to come and watch. It’s free.

At 9:30 a.m., don’t miss the Lafayette Parade of Pooches. Bring your favorite French breed canine friend to the corner of Anderson and Hay Streets for a fashion show. Be sure they are wearing a French or Revolutionary War costume so Fido can compete for prizes. Register in advance by calling the Dogwood Festival at 323-1934, or pick up a registration form at the Child Advocacy Center or Horne’s Café. On-site registration will also be available on the day of the event. The cost is $5 to participate and the proceeds will benefi t the Child Advocacy Center.

Downtown Alliance merchants are celebrating with a sidewalk sale from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Shoppers will find great deals on a variety of items

Also from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the Museum of the Cape Fear is having Festival of Yesteryear. The festival celebrates Colonial and Revolutionary War history. It features military re-enactors, and several child-friendly activities, like interactive toys and games, a doll-making project, a tricorner hat project and more. There will be professional story tellers telling tales centered around colonial North Carolina. Find out more at www.museumofthecapefear.gov or by calling 437-2603.

At noon, head to Cross Creek Park for a Party in the Park hosted by the Lafayette Society, the Fayetteville Area Transportation Museum and Morgan Stanley-Smith Barney. There will be barbecue, cake, ice cream, music and good fun. Look for games, face painting, bounce houses and more. The party lasts until 5 p.m. Admission is free, but the barbecue will cost you $7 a plate. Barbecue tickets may be purchased at City Center Gallery & Books or by calling 678-8899 or on site the day of the event. Proceeds from the sale of the barbecue will be used to help purchase historical markers for Fayetteville’s first Revolutionary War Park.

“Something we are excited to add this year is the trolley service we will have running between the Museum of the Cape Fear and Cross Creek Park,” said Parfi tt. “People can go to the Festival of Yesteryear and then ride down to the party in the park and enjoy a late lunch or an early dinner.”

End the day with a French wine and cheese tasting at the Fresh Café on Hay Street. The event will feature regional wines and cheeses from France. Tickets cost $15 a piece. The wine and cheese tasting runs from 3 to 9 p.m.

Find out more about this fun-filled day at www.lafayette250.com