Entertainment

14th Annual Green Beret Jingle Jog brings holiday spirit

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Tuesday, 25 November 2025

Written by Jamie Bishop

The holiday season in Cumberland County will begin with jingling bells, running shoes, and a strong sense of community as the 14th Annual Green Beret Jingle Jog returns Saturday, Dec. 6, at Dirtbag Ales Brewery and Taproom.
Organized by Special Forces Association Chapter 100, the Jingle Jog has become a cherished tradition in the Fayetteville area, blending festive fun with a serious mission: raising funds to support Green Berets and their families. Proceeds from the event benefit programs that provide assistance to soldiers of the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) and the broader Special Operations Forces community.
“This race is about more than fitness,” said organizers Kyle and Susana Hiser. “It’s about honoring service, building community, and ensuring families of Special Forces soldiers know they are supported.”
Race Details
The Jingle Jog will feature both 5K and 10K races, beginning at 8:30 a.m. Runners will gather at Dirtbag Ales, located at 5435 Corporation Drive in Hope Mills, where the brewery will host the event and provide space for vendors, post-race celebrations, and family activities.
Registration fees range from $33 to $45, depending on race length and date of sign-up. Discounted rates are available for high school students, JROTC, and ROTC participants, encouraging younger athletes to join in the tradition. Packet pickup will be held at Fit4Life All American, 210 Owen Drive in Fayetteville, on Dec. 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Race-day registration will also be available, though organizers recommend early sign-ups to guarantee race shirts and preferred sizes.
The Jingle Jog is known for its holiday spirit. Participants often run in festive costumes, with strollers and pets welcome on the course. Families line the route to cheer on runners, creating a lively and supportive environment. The event has grown steadily over the years, drawing athletes from across North Carolina and beyond.
Local businesses and organizations play a key role in sustaining the event. This year’s sponsors include Dirtbag Ales, Fayetteville Soccer Club, and Fit4Life All American, each contributing to the race’s success and community impact.
• Dirtbag Ales provides the venue and post-race gathering space, offering a family-friendly environment for runners and spectators.
• Fayetteville Soccer Club, a cornerstone of youth athletics in the region, supports the event by encouraging families and young athletes to participate, reinforcing the connection between sports and community service.
• Fit4Life All American, a leading fitness facility in Fayetteville, not only hosts packet pickup but also promotes the event through its network of members and fitness enthusiasts.
Mission Beyond the Finish Line
While the Jingle Jog is festive and fun, its purpose is deeply meaningful. Funds raised go directly to programs that assist soldiers and their families in times of need, whether through financial support, memorial initiatives, or community outreach.
“Every step taken in this race represents a step toward helping a soldier or family in need,” said Kyle. “We’re proud to see the community rally behind this cause year after year.”
The Special Forces Association emphasizes that the Jingle Jog is not just a race but a fundraiser with lasting impact. The event has helped provide scholarships, emergency assistance, and support for memorial services honoring fallen soldiers.
The Jingle Jog has become a cornerstone of the Fayetteville-area fitness and military community calendar. With Fayetteville’s strong military presence, the event resonates with service members and their families, many of whom rely on fitness as a cornerstone of resilience and readiness.
Sponsors say their involvement reflects a commitment to both health and community. Fayetteville Soccer Club highlights the importance of teaching young athletes about service and giving back, while Fit4Life All American emphasizes the role of fitness in building stronger communities. Dirtbag Ales, meanwhile, has become a hub for local events, offering a space where families can gather and celebrate.
Looking Ahead
Kyle and Susana Hiser hope to continue growing the Jingle Jog, expanding participation and sponsorships to ensure even greater support for Special Forces families. With its mix of holiday cheer and meaningful purpose, the event has become a tradition that embodies the spirit of Fayetteville and Hope Mills.
“This is about community,” said Susana. “It’s about showing our soldiers and their families that we stand with them, not just during the holidays but all year long.”
Register at https://greenberetjinglejog.itsyourrace.com . The Green Beret Jingle Jog is more than a race. It is a celebration of service, resilience, and community spirit. Whether running in costume, cheering from the sidelines, or supporting through sponsorship, participants are part of a movement that honors soldiers and strengthens the bonds of Fayetteville and Hope Mills.

Christmas on the farm: Market at S&K celebrates holidays

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Tuesday, 25 November 2025

Written by Crissy Neville

Enjoy a down-home holiday on the farm at the inaugural Christmas Market at S&K, set for Dec. 6 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entertainment, vendors, farm-fresh products, food, fun, and even Old Saint Nick are coming to S&K Farm Market, 3607 Chicken Foot Road in Hope Mills, to help put the fa-la-la-la-la in your 2025 festivities.
Brother and sister owners and operators, Ryan Kennedy and Paige Smart, are excited to offer this December event following their inaugural and very successful fall festival held on Oct. 4. While events are new to the ever-diversifying operation, agriculture and everything from cattle to crops are not. Kennedy and Smart are following in the footsteps of earlier generations, including their parents, Rose and David Kennedy. The land has been a working farm since the mid-1800s, in the Smith family lineage on their mother’s side for six generations.
“We have transitioned from Smith & Kennedy to Smart & Kennedy, but we’ve all managed it together over the years,” Ryan explained.
Growing high-quality hay and raising Red Angus and Black Angus cows under the LLC of S&K Livestock Development, the farmers sell Bermuda and alfalfa hay and their signature grass-fed, grass-finished farm beef. We’re talking steaks, beef stew, hamburger roasts, brisket, ribs and other quality cuts. For more than a decade, S&K has also marketed its beef to brands sold through Whole Foods and Harris Teeter supermarkets.
“We do a little of everything,” said Paige. “You can come in and buy a pound of ground beef, one rib eye or a roast. And then, we also sell shares if you want to order a 1/4, 1/2 or a whole cow and offer bundles to give people a little bit of a discount.”
For example, the November bundle brings the beef in a big way—a large chuck roast, a wide selection of dinner staples including ground beef, beef stew and stir fry, plus two sirloin steaks.
When you don’t feel like cooking, cozy up to the delicious ready-to-cook meals from Pies & Sides, sold in the S&K freezer. Chicken Pot Pie, Chicken & Dressing Casserole, Shepherd’s Pie and other dishes are pie-in-the-sky delicious and convenient. The new Country Girl Pie is a mashup of cubed steak, gravy and grits.
What else can be sourced from S&K? The collaborative farm partners with other local farms to offer Dixie Duroc pasture-raised pork, The R Farmstead poultry and eggs, Parnell Acres lamb, Good Seeds Microgreens, Sandhills Mushroom Co. mushrooms, Charissa’s Salsa and Painted Desert Sauces. Regular favorites Veterans of America Roastery coffee, Blooms Backyard Flower Co. bouquets, Closer to Eden baked goods and Sweet Southern Macarons stock the shelves at S&K, too. Home décor from Sassy Hassy and Chickenfoot Crafts, plus products from Homestead Creamery, featuring milk, custard and seasonal eggnog direct from a Virginia Amish community, ensures market carts are never empty.
“It’s the most addictive milk ever,” according to Paige and countless Facebook reviewers.
What about seasonal produce and products? Whether it's collards and pecans for the holidays or tomatoes and squash come summer, the market makes shopping by the calendar easy. Sip by the season while you shop with a Lu Mil non-alcoholic slushie, deliciously sold in a variety of rotating flavors. When available, keep it cool with grape, watermelon, cherry, peach, pineapple or lemonade. Spice things up with the Hot Apple Cider variety.
With free admission, Dec. 6 Christmas Market-goers will enjoy complimentary and ticketed activities and over 70 family-owned businesses and vendors set up on the grounds. Parkton Animal Oasis exotic animal petting zoo, goat petting and milking, a farm hayride and photography with Santa are available for a nominal fee each. Free activities include the Santa Meet and Greet from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and a hay bale decorating contest. Guests can shop from the large product lineup, including arts and crafts, toys, custom shirts and hats, fine art, jewelry, home décor, snacks, baked goods, bread, coffee, healthy food creations, and of course, the farm’s menu of meats. Make it a day and have lunch from the Pittsburgh-inspired Yinzers and/or pizza from Pazzos; both food trucks will be on site. The event rain date is Dec. 13.
Find out more about the holiday happening and the farm on Facebook @S&K Farm Market.

Fayetteville Ghost Walk brings the city’s haunted past to life

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Tuesday, 25 November 2025

Written by Sheila D. Barker

Fayetteville, established in 1756, has always been a city where history lingers in the air—sometimes in ways that send a chill down the spine. With centuries of triumph, tragedy, and transformation behind it, Fayetteville carries stories that refuse to rest quietly.
Beginning Nov. 22, locals and visitors alike will have the chance to step directly into that haunted past during the Fayetteville Ghost Walk, presented by Triangle Walking Tours. This recurring tour will take place every Saturday from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m., offering an atmospheric evening steeped in eerie tales and lingering spirits.
The one-hour tour begins at Garnet Skull, 120 Hay Street, a fittingly mysterious starting point that sets the mood for what lies ahead. As guests gather under the streetlamps of Historic Downtown Fayetteville, the guide leads them into a world where the veil between past and present feels unusually thin. This isn’t a simple stroll through local landmarks—it’s a journey into the heart of the city’s most unsettling stories.
Participants will hear the enduring legend of Fayetteville’s ghostly mourning brides, women said to wander eternal paths after meeting tragic fates. These tales are woven with sorrow, romance, and unexplained sightings reported throughout the decades. Equally chilling are the stories surrounding the city’s old penitentiary, where restless prisoners are rumored to still linger, their presence felt by those who wander too close after dark.
Triangle Walking Tours has crafted an experience that is both informative and spine-tingling—a blend of researched history and the supernatural whispers that have endured through time. Each stop along the route combines storytelling with architectural and historical context, fostering a deeper appreciation for the city’s heritage and the mysteries embedded in its foundation.
Seasoned ghost-tour enthusiasts, local history buffs or those simply looking for a uniquely thrilling Saturday night will find that the Fayetteville Ghost Walk promises an evening of intrigue, atmosphere, and perhaps even a few goosebumps. As the tour winds through the historic streets, one thing becomes clear: in Fayetteville, the past is never truly gone—and it just might be walking beside you.
Tickets for this tour are $15 per person. For more information on this tour and to purchase tickets, visit Triangle Walking Tours online at https://www.trianglewalkingtours.com/book-online

Fayetteville's premier high school basketball showcase returns for eighth year

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Tuesday, 25 November 2025

Written by Katie Herring

Get ready to cheer, Fayetteville! The hardwood is calling, and the buzz of high school basketball season is about to reach a fever pitch right here in our community. On Nov. 28 and 29, the Methodist University campus, located at 5435 Ramsey Street, will once again become the epicenter of local and regional basketball talent as it hosts the 8th Annual Hoops and Dreams High School Basketball Showcase.
The showcase features girls and boys teams from both public and private schools. Several Cumberland County School teams will be featured, as well as teams from Moore County, Harnett County, Hoke County and more.
This isn't just another weekend of basketball; it's an annual tradition and a cornerstone community event that brings together high school athletes, their families and fans for two days of exhilarating competition. For just $20, fans can purchase a day pass that grants all-day access to every thrilling game, making it an affordable and action-packed way to spend the post-Thanksgiving weekend.
A Bridge to the Next Level
While the atmosphere promises exciting entertainment for every basketball fan, the core mission of the Hoops and Dreams Showcase is profoundly impactful: to provide a critical platform for underserved high school basketball players to gain crucial visibility.
In today’s competitive athletic landscape, simply being talented isn’t enough. Players need to be seen by the right people to advance their careers. That’s at the heart of this showcase’s purpose. This year, the event continues its powerful partnership with Phenom Hoops, a nationally recognized scouting service. This collaboration ensures that the gymnasium is filled not just with cheering fans, but also with influential college coaches and scouts.
Phenom Hoops acts as a crucial liaison, connecting promising high school players directly to the next level—whether that’s a spot on a Division I, II, or III collegiate team, or even a shot at professional basketball. For many athletes, this showcase represents the single most important opportunity of their young careers to catch the eye of someone who can open the door to a college education and continued athletic pursuit.
The goal is clear: to democratize the scouting process and ensure that talent, regardless of school size or geographical location, gets the recognition it deserves without having to travel long distances or pay expensive fees.

The Perfect Time for Family and Fans
The timing of the Hoops and Dreams Showcase is no accident. Strategically scheduled for the weekend immediately following Thanksgiving, the dates were chosen with the players’ families in mind.
By holding the showcase right after Thanksgiving, families who may already be in town for the holiday have the perfect chance to extend their visit and watch their loved ones compete on a major stage. It’s about celebrating both family and basketball.
Furthermore, placing the event at the beginning of the regular basketball season serves a critical purpose. It provides a high-level competitive proving ground just as teams are hitting their stride. It allows coaches to evaluate their squads against top-tier competition early on, and it gives players a chance to set the tone for their season with an impressive showing in front of scouts. The Showcase effectively kicks off the competitive year with a bang.
A True Community Event
While its reach is national, the heart of the Hoops and Dreams Showcase remains fiercely local. The organizers are emphatic: this is a community event, intended to bring together athletes and fans to celebrate the next generation of basketball talent.
Hosting the event at Methodist University not only provides an excellent, central facility but also underscores the partnership between local institutions and the community at large. The success of the showcase relies heavily on the support of Fayetteville residents—the fans, the volunteers, and local businesses.
For the young men and women competing, the cheers from the stands aren't just noise; they are a vital source of energy and support. When the stands are packed, it demonstrates to the visiting scouts and the athletes themselves that the local community cares deeply about their success and their future. This communal embrace can be the difference-maker for a player battling nerves or striving for a key play.
Don't Miss the Action!
Whether you’re a die-hard fan looking to scout the next college superstar, a community member eager to support local youth, or a family member ready to cheer on your athlete, the 8th Annual Hoops and Dreams High School Basketball Showcase is an event you won't want to miss.
Mark your calendars for Nov. 28 and 29. Head down to Methodist University and be a part of the excitement. Come witness the dreams being pursued, the hard work being celebrated, and the talent being discovered. Tickets will be on sale at the door both days of the Showcase. Attendance doesn't just buy you a day of great basketball; it supports the future of high school athletes looking to take their game to the next level. For more information, go to lucasmoorerealthyinc.com/hoops-and-dreams.
We’ll see you on the court!

(Hoops and Dreams is a basketball event open to high school students in Cumberland County. Photo courtesy of Hoops & Dreams)