As the dog days of summer approach, families are scrambling to complete their activity bucket lists before the new school year beckons.

While getting it all done in one day may seem like a tall order, Prime Movers of Hope Mills aims to try on July 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
After a successful initial run last year, Family Fun Day returns with even more in store for those with an epic summer wish list to check off.

The Prime Movers is an organization dedicated to bridging the gap between millenials and the Board of Commissioners. Their primary goal is to increase millennial engagement within the community and the town of Hope Mills. Events like Family Fun Day align with the organization’s goal to create opportunities to unite people.

“We had a great turnout last year,” said Monika Cotter, Hope Mills Prime Movers president. “This year, we wanted to make it bigger and better and change a few things. It’s a good way to get everybody to the Greenway

Walking Trail, get outside, get active and let families have fun together.”
Though “better” remains to be seen, a valiant attempt at “bigger” is apparent. This year’s itinerary is crammed with activities that appeal to every summer wish, dream and appetite.

“Everybody should come to this event,” Cotter said. “It’s even dog friendly, and if your cat walks on a leash — you can bring them too,” she joked.

Building on the success of last year’s Family Fun Day, this year will be packed with even more vendors and food trucks for people to enjoy. As a bonus, guests over 21 can take a stroll through Dirtbag Ales’ Beer Garden.

For those under 21, there’s still fun to be had. Guests can enjoy some yoga, I-95 muscle cars, a craft table, a bounce house and a kid zone. And if that’s not enough, those who dare can step into the ring and test their mettle in a sumo competition, complete with a padded suit.

The event will also feature an on-site photographer ready to snap an updated family photo in front of a fun background for just $5.
Family Fun Day is a free event open to everyone, but Cotter is most excited to see kids enjoying the day with their loved ones.

“I love seeing all the kids and their parents or grandparents taking part in what Hope Mills has to offer,” Cotter said.

Though the primary goal of Family Fun Day is to bring people together for a good time, it’s also an excellent opportunity to serve the community.

Prime Movers has organized a school supply drive to run concurrently with the day’s festivities as the school year approaches. Donations of notebooks, pencils, loose-leaf paper, disinfectant wipes, tissues, glue sticks, dry erase markers, water bottles and hand sanitizer will be collected on-site.

At the end of the day, Cotter hopes people leave with a smile on their faces.

“I hope to hear that people had a lot of fun with their families,” she said.
Family Fun Day will be held at Hope Mills Golf Course, located at 3625 Golfview Road in Hope Mills.

For more information about the event, visit www.facebook.com/hopemillsprimemovers2020.