Have you noticed that COVID-19 has become the most popular excuse for everything and anything since "the dog ate my homework?" Late for work? Blame it on COVID-19. Forgot your anniversary? COVID-19. Missed a deadline? COVID-19. Terrible restaurant service? COVID-19. Your car ran over the neighbor's cat? COVID-19. Yes. COVID-19, that tiny five-letter and two-number powerhouse of a word, has extraordinary exoneration powers. Well, this holiday season, there will be no excuses, COVID-19 or otherwise, for not leaving your homes. Take the necessary precautions for yourself and your family, and come out to celebrate the New Year with friends and family here in the Fayetteville and Cumberland County community. Even Mother Nature is cooperating by providing us mild spring-like temperatures. So, no excuses, folks; get ready to leave this crazy year behind and celebrate the start of 2022.

Celebrating the New Year will be easy to do in our community.

The City of Fayetteville, in conjunction with the Cool Spring Downtown District, is hosting Fayetteville's inaugural New Year's Eve celebration in Festival Park, The Night Circus. This spectacular event will be Fayetteville's most extensive collaboration and community event since competing for and winning the All America City recognition in 2011. (See page 2.) We will be showcasing this spectacular event in next week's edition of Up & Coming Weekly and recognizing the people, businesses and organizations who have been working diligently for months to make it possible. And, the good news is, it's a free event for the public. So, no excuses.

This holiday edition of Up & Coming Weekly showcases the Fabulous '70s Groovy Gates Four New Year's Eve Party that is being hosted in conjunction with the Fayetteville Dinner Theatre. Though not free, this "open to the public" themed event combines nostalgia, costume and dance contests, door prizes, great food, and a '70s musical tribute by one of the most sought-after party bands in eastern North Carolina, Rivermist. They will be playing music that celebrates and defines the decade of afro hairdos, bell-bottom trousers, silk shirts and paisley headbands. It's a party in a package! (See page 13.) So, no excuses.

Read all about these fun New Year's Eve events in Up & Coming Weekly, along with the many other celebratory events in the Fayetteville-Cumberland County community this holiday season. Our community newspaper is free, and it's online. So, no excuses!

Happy Holidays and thank you for reading the Up & Coming Weekly community newspaper.