Entertainment

One paddle, one court, one community: Pickleball brings families together in Fayetteville

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Tuesday, 14 July 2026

Written by Jamie Bishop

On any given evening at the courts at Glenville Lake, it’s not unusual to see a child learning to serve on one court while a parent picks up a paddle for the very first time just a few feet away.

That isn’t by accident.

As pickleball continues its rise as America’s fastest-growing sport, Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation is embracing more than the game itself. Through youth camps, beginner clinics and family-friendly programming, the department is using pickleball as a way to connect generations, encourage healthy living and make recreation accessible to everyone.

The department’s final Youth Summer Pickleball Camp runs Aug. 10–14 for children ages 7 to 17, while its next Adult Pickleball Clinic is scheduled for Sept. 12. Equipment is provided, and no experience is necessary, lowering the barrier for anyone curious about trying the sport.

For Kristen Daniels, athletic coordinator for paddle sports with Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation, the growing popularity of pickleball created an opportunity to rethink what recreation could look like in Cumberland County.

“We recognized that we wanted to offer diverse programming for all sports, not just the traditional baseball, softball, basketball, soccer and football,” Daniels said. “There are people out there who want to try something new and something different, and that’s what we want to do. We want to give as many opportunities to everyone as we can.”

That philosophy has resonated throughout the summer.

While pickleball once carried the reputation of being a retirement sport, today’s courts tell a different story. Elementary-aged children, teenagers, young professionals, and retirees are all discovering the game together.

Its appeal is easy to understand. The rules are simple enough for beginners to learn quickly, the court is smaller than a tennis court, and the game rewards strategy just as much as athletic ability. Players can enjoy friendly competition without the physical demands associated with many other sports.

For Daniels, however, the lessons extend well beyond serving, volleying and keeping score.

“We want our participants to have positive role models in our coaches and instructors,” she said. “They’re learning that you don’t always pick things up right away. It takes work. Things don’t always go your way, and you’ve got to keep working until you get better. That’s true in sports, but it’s true in life too.”

That message is woven throughout the department’s programming.

In addition to the summer camps and adult clinics, Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation offers year-round instruction for younger children, junior players, beginner adults, intermediate players, and even cardio pickleball classes that combine music, fitness, and fast-paced play into an energetic workout.

Daniels said the programming was intentionally designed so entire families could participate together.

“When we were putting these programs together, I really wanted it to be something where the whole family could take part,” she said. “The kids’ classes happen at the same time as the beginner classes for parents. They’re already bringing their children to the courts, so why not give them the opportunity to learn too?”

That approach transforms an evening practice into something more meaningful.

Instead of waiting in the parking lot, parents step onto the court. Children watch their moms and dads become beginners again. Grandparents find a game they can comfortably play alongside younger family members.

The result is recreation that feels less like organized sports and more like community.

Accessibility has also been a priority. Residents can register at any Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation center, at the Courts at Glenville Lake or online through the department’s WebTrac registration portal at https://register.fcpr.us/webtrac/web/splash.html. Equipment is provided, removing another obstacle for first-time players.

For Daniels, success isn’t measured solely by how many players develop a strong forehand or perfect serve. It’s measured by families who return to the courts after class ends, children who discover a new passion and adults who realize it’s never too late to learn something new.

As Fayetteville continues to grow, so does its appetite for recreation that reflects the community itself welcoming, active, and inclusive.

Sometimes building a stronger community doesn’t require a stadium or a championship. Sometimes it begins with a paddle, a plastic ball, and a family willing to play together. 

Midsummer Magic awaits at Fourth Friday

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Tuesday, 14 July 2026

Written by Katie Herring

The temperatures and humidity, the heat advisories and reminders to stay hydrated, the air conditioning running non-stop: all sure signs that it is summer time in North Carolina.  As tempting as it may be to stay inside until October when the heat (maybe) finally breaks, there will be a good reason to get outside in downtown Fayetteville in July.

Midsummer Magic is returning to Downtown Fayetteville on July 24 for the 11th year.  This long-running event is part of the monthly 4th Friday celebration, and is produced by the Downtown Alliance and Spark Downtown, two organizations committed to the growth and success of downtown Fayetteville.

Midsummer celebrations are much older than our city’s celebration, going back more than 500 years in Europe.  With its oldest origins in Scandinavia, Midsummer celebrations included music, dancing, flowers, eating and drinking. With origins in pagan festivals, believed to bring about a good harvest, in time the church blended these traditional celebrations with St. John the Baptist’s feast day.   

While Fayetteville’s Midsummer Magic may not be exactly traditional in the Scandinavian sense, it certainly promises to celebrate the magic of summer.

As with all Fourth Friday events, Midsummer Magic will take place throughout downtown Fayetteville, with businesses and organizations participating in the fun.  As guests walk along the streets, there will be performers and vendors; inside participating businesses, guests will find an array of special sales and offerings.  

All throughout the Midsummer Magic event, guests will be on the lookout for fairy doors.  What is a fairy door, you ask?  They are small doors, not unlike those you might find on a dollhouse or other miniature structure; they are decorated to look like the entrance into a magical dwelling, where a fairy might be found.  Guests are invited to look high and low, inside and out for these small wonders; it will be like a magical scavenger hunt!

This is a perfect opportunity to let your imagination run wild and create your own interpretation of a magical character.  Guests are invited to dress up in magical costumes.  Come dressed as a fairy, elf, gnome, dragon, princess, goblin, sprite, wizard, or any magical creature.  While costumes are not required, they will certainly lend to the magical atmosphere of the evening.  Even if full, elaborate costumes are not your cup of tea, a simple-or elaborate-flower crown will be a great call-back to Midsummer celebrations of old.

The event is free and great for the whole family; no registration or previous purchase is required.  Just dress up, show up, and enjoy the festivities.  

There is still time to be part of creating the festivities.  If you are a fairy hair artist, face painter, balloon artist, or offer a similar magical craft or activity, please contact us at spark@dcwfay.org to be part of the Midsummer Magic.

Midsummer Magic promises to be a family-friendly, free night of fun and frivolity in downtown Fayetteville.  The magic begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, June 24, and lasts until 9 p.m. For updates and the highly anticipated map to the fairy doors, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/downtown-fayetteville/midsummer-night-downtown-magic-crawl-and-fairy-door-quest/1408703027774073/

Gabby's Dollhouse comes to Fascinate-U Children's Museum

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Tuesday, 14 July 2026

Written by Aly Hansen

Fascinate-U Children's Museum, located at 116 Green St., will be hosting a very special guest, July 17-26. Gabby's Dollhouse, a television show created by Traci Paige Johnson and Jennifer Twomey for Netflix, features Gabby and her cat friends. Episodes follow Gabby and the Gabby Cats through their adventures inside a dollhouse. The show mixes live action with animation, and each episode ends with a "Gabby Cat of the Day"segment, where children are shown how to cook, sing and craft items. 

At Fascinate-U, the Dollhouse MEOWseum Discover Days will feature some of the shows favorite characters and special events will be held throughout the ten day celebration. The museum will hold DJ Catnip Dance Parties, where guests can dance to their favorite tunes. A Gabby Cats Scavenger Hunt will have children scouring the museum for Gabby's fairy cats. 

Guests will have the opportunity to take photos with a Gabby's Dollhouse backdrop and Gabby standee. Museum goers will have access to story and crafting times, where they can make their own hamster kitty and MerCat slime. This will be a time to celebrate curiosity, imagination and teamwork. 

"Like children's museums, Gabby's Dollhouse emphasizes social-emotional learning and showcases compassion, curiosity, creativity, and the joy of teamwork. This 10 day celebration brings Gabby's magical world to life right here at Fascinate-U," wrote the museum in a press release.

Fascinate-U is able to bring Gabby's Dollhouse to the community through a partnership with DreamWorks Animation and the Association of Children's Museums. General admission for the Gabby's Dollhouse.

   MEOWseum Discovery Days is $6 per child, $5 per adult. The museum is open Tuesdays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and Sundays noon to 5 p.m. The museum was founded in 1994, and is a hands on place where children can explore. 

For more information, visit https://www.fascinate-u.com/ or call 910-829-9171.

Rock'n On the River's Regional Band Blowout

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Tuesday, 14 July 2026

Written by Amanda Ransom

On any given weekend, talented musicians can be found performing throughout Cumberland County in restaurants, at festivals, community events and local venues entertaining audiences who have followed them for years, and in some cases, decades. Among the most familiar names on Fayetteville's music scene are Guy Unger Band and Joyner, Young & Marie (JYM), two groups that have become part of the soundtrack of the community. On Friday, July 17, those hometown favorites will come together for the Regional Band Blowout, part of the popular Rock'n On the River concert series, for an evening that celebrates not only local music but also the musicians and friendships that have helped shape Fayetteville's entertainment scene for generations.

The event promises four hours of live entertainment along the Cape Fear River. But the story behind the music is really one of friendship, perseverance and a shared love of performing. For Guy Unger, music has never been about fitting into one genre. 

"We're a pretty versatile bunch," Unger said. "We play many different styles of music, but we're heavily into the classic rock world. We'll play some Pink Floyd or the Eagles, then turn around and play Blink-182 before going into Bruno Mars. As long as the audience is having a blast, we'll roll with it."

Despite decades of performing together, Joyner says the reason the band continues to thrive is remarkably simple. "Love of making music and for one another," he said. 

That passion is reflected in Joyner, Young & Marie's signature sound, which blends rhythm and blues, harmony vocals and an eclectic mix of familiar favorites. From Adele to ZZ Top, the band has built a reputation for creating performances that connect with audiences across generations. For Joyner, the goal of every performance is not just to play songs but to create an experience people remember. Through carefully crafted set lists, the band balances different styles, tempos and vocal arrangements to take audiences on a musical journey.

After all these years, the motivation remains the same—the joy of making music and sharing that experience with others.

Like many musicians, Unger's style has evolved over time. 

"Back in the '80s I was playing a lot of hard rock," he said. "I was on a mission to push myself on the technical end, and now I'm riding that wave of the work I did back then while leaning more on the expressive element of playing these days." 

Although his catalog spans decades and genres, Unger admits he still has favorites. "I love playing any Pink Floyd," he said. "David Gilmour's playing just resonates with me. We've also brought back an old Edgar Winter tune called Frankenstein that's really fun to play."

While Unger's career has been defined by musical versatility, Joyner, Young & Marie's legacy has been built on decades of harmony, friendship and collaboration. Sharing the stage with Joyner, Young & Marie makes the evening even more special. 

"They're longtime friends and fun to be around," Unger said. "They're always cracking jokes, and there's a real friendship there. Plus, they sound amazing. I love hearing the harmonies and how well they play together." 

Joyner, Young & Marie's story began in the 1980s when Bill Joyner and Dan Young started performing together in local bands, as a duo and in community theater productions. They were later joined by vocalist Marie Grimsley, whose powerful voice helped shape the band's signature harmony-driven sound. The trio went on to record the album Full Circle, which received significant local radio airplay, with one song reaching No. 1 on regional beach music stations for four consecutive weeks—a milestone that helped establish the group as one of the Carolinas' best-known local acts. Today, the band continues that tradition with Allen Diffee on drums and vocals, Gil Howell on five-string bass, Dan Young on guitar and vocals, Bill Joyner on keyboards, guitar and vocals, "Sweet" Marie Grimsley on percussion and vocals, and veteran sound engineer Bill Pierce behind the soundboard.

Their longevity isn't something Joyner attributes to luck. 

"Love of making music and for one another," he said simply. 

The band's signature sound blends rhythm and blues, harmony vocals and an eclectic mix of familiar favorites. "We do a wide variety of covers," Joyner said. "Everything is oriented toward rhythm and blues and harmony vocals from Adele to ZZ Top."

Every performance is carefully crafted. 

"I make out the sets to have a flow," Joyner explained. "Interspersing highs and lows, balancing keys and four singers. The set has to build to a crescendo." It's an approach that has served the band well through countless performances over the years. 

One memory still stands above the rest. 

"Maybe last year's Fourth of July Celebration in Lumberton," Joyner recalled. "As the last note faded, the stadium lights went out and the fireworks started up. It was amazing." 

For Joyner, however, the music has always been about more than applause.  "That someone is still making music for all the right reasons," he said when asked what he hopes audiences take away. "Not for the money, but for the music."

That passion extends beyond the stage. 

"We love the arts community here," Joyner said. "We also feel like we're representing Fayetteville whenever we work out of town. We want people to know Fayetteville bands can bring it." 

The mutual respect between the two featured bands is unmistakable.

"The band has a great time whenever we do a show with the Guy Unger Band," Joyner said. "They're terrific, and we enjoy one another's company. It's going to be a great show." 

Unger shares the excitement. "With two great bands that sound as good as they do, you can't go wrong."

As Rock'n On the River prepares for its Regional Band Blowout, audiences can expect much more than an evening of classic rock and favorite hits. They'll witness decades of friendships, thousands of performances, and musicians who continue to perform for one simple reason: they love bringing people together. For Unger, that's what every concert comes down to. 

"We want to have fun," he said. "I hope people see that reflected in the music. We love and appreciate everyone who has supported us over the years."

The Regional Band Blowout will take place at Rock'n On the River at Campbellton Landing at 1122 Person St. on Friday, July 17, beginning at 6 p.m. Admission is free, but parking is $10. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets and enjoy an evening celebrating two bands that have spent decades providing the soundtrack to life in Fayetteville.