The first Juneteenth was celebrated more than 150 years ago, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. Today, communities across the nation mark the day as one to uplift African American history and culture and the contributions of generations that came before.
It’s the basis, festival organizers say, for Fayetteville’s Juneteenth Jubilee, which returned to Festival Park (335 Ray Ave.) on June 15.
The city of Fayetteville and Cool Spring Downtown District (CSDD) hosted the event from 1 to 9 p.m. to both commemorate June 19 — when enslaved people in Texas were informed of their freedom by Union soldiers in 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed — and celebrate the idea that “we are our ancestors’ wildest dreams.”
That’s the phrase Ashanti Bennett, the CSDD’s director of special projects, kept coming back to as the organization entered the planning phases for this year’s edition of the jubilee.
“I look around at the accomplishments of Black Americans across the country and the globe, not to mention the inspiring excellence right here in Fayetteville, the barriers that we continue to break, the leadership and advancement of the culture, and the joy we continue to express even in the face of turmoil,” Ashanti said in a news release. “I can’t help but reflect on the wonder and pride that our ancestors would feel if they could see us now.”
Ashanti also said in the release that the third annual event should provide “a vibe of joy and uplifting positivity.”
The day featured local performers and artisans, food trucks, small-business and corporate vendors, and entertainment for families.
The event also included an educational tour focused on the history of Juneteenth and Black history in Fayetteville.
Educator and musician Pierce Freelon served as the prelude to the entertainment headliner, Skip Marley. Music from Skip, the maternal grandson of reggae artist Bob Marley, included touches of contemporary pop, rap, and rock.
The town of Hope Mills also hosted the Juneteenth Liberty and Legacy Celebration from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. June 15 at Dirtbag Ales (5435 Corporation Drive).
Two weekends later on June 29, also at Festival Park, Fayetteville PRIDE hosted its fifth annual PRIDEFEST 2024! from noon to 6 p.m. with live entertainment, vendors, food trucks, art projects, and more.
The organization inaugurated the festival in 2018, which was attended by 1,500 people, according to the Fayetteville PRIDE’s website. The organization saw a boom in attendance just one year later with 5,000 festivalgoers at Festival Park. After a two-year break, PRIDEFEST broke its record with 6,000 attendees in 2022.
This year, Fayetteville PRIDE continued the tradition, serving its mission “to instill pride, celebrate unity, and embrace diversity and inclusiveness in our LGBTQ+ community and allies, and to provide a support network and educational advocacy group dedicated to increasing awareness and acceptance.”
For more information on Juneteenth Jubilee: Their Wildest Dreams, visit visitdowntownfayetteville.com/juneteenth-fayetteville-2024/, and for more information on PRIDEFEST 2024! visit facebook.com/fayncpride/events.
MORE IN JUNE
Lumbee Homecoming: The largest American Indian cultural celebration in the Southeast features pageants, a parade, music and other entertainment, and vendors from Jun 26 to Jul 6 at 636 Prospect Road in Pembroke. For more information visit: doa.nc.gov/news/events/2024-lumbee-homecoming.
JULY
Fourth of July celebrations
Fayetteville
Independence Day Concert with the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra: The city and the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra will present a free concert at 7:15 p.m. in Festival Park. Gates open at 6 p.m. Food and drinks are available via a beer tent and other on-site vendors. visitdowntownfayetteville.com/events/independence-day-concert-with-fso/.
Fort Liberty
4th at the Fort Celebration: Visit the Main Post Parade Field to enjoy food and beverages or take in parachute free-fall demonstrations and a flag ceremony before the fireworks finale. The event also features music from three artists — Flo Rida, Plain White T’s, and Maddie & Tae — and the 82nd Airborne Division Band, along with free admission to Kiddieland for the children. The celebration is free and open to the public. Gates open at 3 p.m. Additional information about traffic flow, tent rental and prohibited items can be found at liberty.armymwr.com/calendar/event/23521.
Hope Mills
Independence Day Parade: Begins at 10 a.m. Starting point is Rockfish Elementary School, with the finish at Hope Mills Middle School. nc-hopemills.civicplus.com/349/Independence-Day-Celebration.
SEPTEMBER
Running Water Powwow: The 12th annual event will be held from noon to 10 p.m. on Sept. 7 at 200 Indian Drive with performances by Male Head Dancer Brandon Stewart and Female Head Dancer Zena Clark. For more information about this celebration of community and culture, visit facebook.com/groups/2908067639495353/.
Greek Festival: Experience Greek culture in the form of pastries and other food, dance, and more Sept. 13 to Sept. 15 at Saints Constantine & Helen Greek Orthodox Church, 614 Oakridge Ave. in Fayetteville. More details to come at facebook.com/faygreekfest/.
Oktoberfest: Fort Liberty’s Iron Mike Conference Center (2658 Rock Merritt Ave., Bldg. 5-5348) hosts Oktoberfest, a free event open to the public, from noon to 8 p.m. Sept. 28. A variety of German food and a beer garden, German dancers, live music, and a fall market are among the day’s features. liberty.armymwr.com/calendar/event/86774.
International Folk Festival: Hosted by The Arts Council, the 46th edition of the annual festival in downtown Fayetteville will celebrate the area’s diversity across three days, Sept. 27 to Sept. 29. The event that draws 50,000-plus patrons will feature an international cafe, with food from a variety of countries; live music and dance; a Parade of Nations; an art market and interactive installations; kids area; and more. More details to come at eventeny.com/events/46th-annual-international-folk-festival-8053/.
OCTOBER
Zombie Walk/4th Friday: The undead will take over the October version of the Cool Spring Downtown District’s monthly 4th Friday. From 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Oct. 26, the event that highlights the area’s visual and performing arts and local business will be supplemented with a costume contest and processional of the walking dead through the streets. visitdowntownfayetteville.com/events/october-4th-friday-2024-zombie-walk/.
Halloween in Hope Mills: Trunk R Treat details are forthcoming at townofhopemills.com/1552/Trunk-or-Treat.
NOVEMBER
Holly Day Fair: The holiday event, hosted by the Junior League of Fayetteville at the Crown Expo Center from Nov. 7 to Nov. 10, features more than 150 vendors with local food and drink products, toys, decor, gifts, apparel, accessories, and more. Look out for updates on the 57th annual event here: facebook.com/hollydayfair.
A Dickens Holiday: The Christmastime event in downtown Fayetteville in late November celebrates the Victorian era, with character actors in period wardrobe, horse-drawn carriage rides, and musicians and carolers. Also featured are food and product vendors and local stores. Check back for updates at faydta.com/adickensholiday.
DECEMBER
Hope Mills festivities: Updates about events featuring Santa and an early December Christmas parade will be published at townofhopemills.com/350/Christmas-in-Hope-Mills.
JANUARY/FEBRUARY
MLK Parade: Parade honoring the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. in downtown Fayetteville. Details forthcoming at mlkmemorialpark.org.
MARCH
Rumba on the Lumber Festival: In downtown Lumberton on March 7 and 8, a chili cookoff, beer garden, craft vendors, food trucks, plastic duck derby, touch a truck, live music, and kids zone complement the 5K, 10K, and family fun mile runs. rumbaonthelumber.com.
APRIL
Dogwood Festival: Friday through Sunday during the last weekend of the month, carnival rides and a series of concerts at Festival Park in Fayetteville are surrounded by live street performances and local product and food and beverage vendors elsewhere in downtown. Check for updates at thedogwoodfestival.com.
MAY
All-American Week: Hosted by the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Liberty, the event that is open to the public honors veterans and active-duty service members with a memorial ceremony, a run by members of the 82nd and a division review, and events for patrons such as a family fun run and sports competitions.
Read the e-edition of the 2024-2025 issue of DestinationFAY here.