Entertainment

We Are One: Hoke County to celebrate America’s 250 with week of history, heritage, hope

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Tuesday, 16 June 2026

Written by Jamie Bishop

Long before fireworks illuminated summer skies and backyard grills became synonymous with Independence Day, a handful of men gathered in Philadelphia and changed the course of history.

Two hundred and fifty years later, Hoke County is preparing to celebrate that enduring legacy with a week long observance designed to honor the nation’s past while bringing together the people who continue to shape its future.

From June 29 through July 5, Hoke County’s official America 250 celebration will commemorate the semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Organized by the America 250 NC Hoke County “We Are One” Committee, the celebration is part of a statewide effort that invites communities across North Carolina to tell their own stories within the larger American narrative.

Additional information about the event can be found through the committee’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/891285093607128 and the America 250 NC website at https://www.america250.nc.gov/. Community members interested in supporting the effort can also contribute through the “We Are One Hoke America250” donation campaign.

But for the volunteers and community leaders behind the celebration, this is about more than marking a date on the calendar.

It is about people. It is about place. And perhaps most importantly, it is about unity. Those ideals are reflected in the committee’s theme, “We Are One.”

Throughout months of planning, public outreach and community engagement, committee chair Iris Flowers and fellow organizers have repeatedly emphasized the importance of creating an event that belongs to everyone.

According to information shared by Flowers and the committee through public announcements and social media, the celebration seeks to bring together veterans, students, churches, civic organizations, businesses and families in a way that reflects the unique character of Hoke County.

Flowers has consistently emphasized that the observance is intended to be inclusive and community-centered.

“What we want people to understand is that this celebration is for everyone,” Flowers said. “The theme ‘We Are One’ reflects the idea that while we come from diverse backgrounds and experiences, we are united by our community and by our shared American story.”

That philosophy has guided the committee’s efforts from the beginning.

Rather than simply planning a Fourth of July event, organizers have spent months encouraging residents to become active participants. Community meetings, social media outreach, and collaborative efforts with local organizations have all been part of the process.

Their vision is rooted in the belief that history is not merely something found in textbooks. It is something lived, something remembered, something passed from one generation to the next. For a county whose identity has been shaped by military families, educators, faith leaders, farmers, and public servants, that message carries special significance.

Situated near Fort Bragg and home to generations of North Carolinians whose stories are woven into the fabric of the region, Hoke County reflects many of the qualities that have defined America itself: resilience, service and an enduring belief in community.

And while America’s bicentennial celebration in 1976 remains a vivid memory for many, few Americans alive today will have the opportunity to witness another milestone quite like this one. The nation’s tricentennial won’t arrive until 2076.

For many families, America’s 250th birthday is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion. Supporters commenting on committee posts have expressed excitement about seeing Hoke County represented in the national observance. Others have highlighted the importance of ensuring younger generations understand the sacrifices, struggles and triumphs that have shaped the country.

Flowers has echoed those sentiments, emphasizing that the celebration is ultimately about legacy.

“We want this to be something families can experience together,” Flowers has noted in public outreach efforts. “It’s an opportunity to honor the past, celebrate the present and inspire future generations.”

That sense of continuity can be found throughout our community. It exists in the stories shared around dinner tables. In the service of veterans who returned home and built lives in the community, in churches where generations of families have worshipped together and in classrooms where educators have prepared young people to become tomorrow’s leaders.

And it can be found in the countless volunteers who continue to invest their time and talents to strengthen the community. Those stories, organizers believe, deserve to be part of the broader story of America.

Across North Carolina, county committees have embraced the challenge of telling local stories that reflect the values and experiences of their communities. Hoke County’s contribution centers on a simple but powerful truth: despite differences in age, race, occupation or background, communities are strongest when people come together.

That spirit has been evident in the committee’s participation in civic activities and community partnerships leading up to the anniversary.

For Flowers, the hope is that the memories created during the week long celebration will extend far beyond the events themselves.

“We hope people remember how the community came together,” Flowers shared. “At the end of the day, that’s what ‘We Are One’ really means.”

Perhaps that is the greatest lesson of America’s 250th birthday. Not that the nation has always been perfect, but that generation after generation, ordinary people have continued striving toward the ideals first expressed in 1776.

And in Hoke County, those ideals are being celebrated not through division, but through unity. Not through politics, but through people. Not through individual achievement, but through shared purpose.

Two hundred and fifty years after America’s founding, Hoke County is preparing to do more than celebrate history. It is preparing to write its own chapter. A chapter built on remembrance, service and hope. And a chapter captured by three words that have become both a theme and a promise for the community: We Are One. 

For more information about Hoke County’s America 250 celebration, visit the America 250 NC website and the Hoke County “We Are One” Facebook page. Donations supporting the celebration can be made through the “We Are One Hoke America250” fundraising campaign.

Fayetteville Run Club celebrates with Firecracker 4 Miler

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Tuesday, 09 June 2026

Written by Amanda Ransom

Before the fireworks begin, hundreds of runners, walkers and families will gather downtown for the Firecracker 4 Miler, a Fourth of July tradition hosted by the Fayetteville Running Club that celebrates community, fitness and local student-athletes.
"The Firecracker 4 Miler is woven directly into Fayetteville's identity as the All-American City," said Shawn Wussow of the Fayetteville Running Club. "With a 7 a.m. start, the morning transforms into a magnificent sea of red, white and blue."
Nearly everyone arrives wearing patriotic colors, and for many local families, participating has become a cherished holiday tradition.
"It's a nice way to start the holiday before you head out to those BBQs, fireworks and other festivities," Wussow said.
The Firecracker 4 Miler continues to attract strong community support, with organizers expecting approximately 850 participants this year, a level of participation that allows the Fayetteville Running Club to expand its scholarship program and enhance the race experience for runners.
“We've grown every year, and that means better scholarships and swag for the participants," Wussow said.
Beyond the festive atmosphere, the Firecracker 4 Miler serves a larger purpose. Proceeds from the event support the Fayetteville Running Club's Student Athlete Scholarship Program, which awards scholarships to local students pursuing higher education.
"We award up to four local students scholarships to the college they will attend," Wussow said. "It's not about being the fastest or having the highest GPA. Sometimes it's the personal stories that help win the scholarships."
For Wussow, one of the most rewarding aspects of the event is seeing the impact firsthand.
"It's really nice to be a part of a tangible effort that you can see the results from," he said. "Often the students come back and join one of our group runs after college."
The course winds through downtown Fayetteville, passing landmarks such as Arsenal Park, Hay Street and Segra Stadium before finishing at North South Brewing Company. Beyond the race, participants can enjoy brunch, local vendors, family activities and visits from Woodpeckers mascot Bunker.
"We strive to provide a premium experience," Wussow said. "We want every participant to leave with lasting holiday memories."
One of the event's defining characteristics is its welcoming atmosphere. Elite runners share the course with first-time participants, families with strollers, walkers and dogs.
"As a member of the Road Runners Club of America, we pledge to be inclusive and supportive of all abilities," Wussow said. "We all started somewhere, and along the way we met others and became like family."
That sense of inclusion has created memorable moments over the years.
Community partnerships also play a major role in the event's success. Local businesses, sponsors and volunteers help support race operations, scholarships and participant experiences.
"Local businesses, sponsors and our volunteers are the lifeblood of any charitable event," Wussow said. "When the Firecracker flourishes, our downtown partners flourish right alongside us, and that collective success is the very essence of community partnership."
For first-time participants who may be hesitant to sign up, Wussow offers simple encouragement.
"Do not hesitate simply lace up your shoes and join us," he said. "Whether you choose to run or walk, you'll be embraced by the most supportive community in the city. You'll see not only tears of joy, but tears of triumph. Come take a walk or run with your neighbors and make some new friends. No shortage of cowbells and high-fives here."
The Firecracker 4 Miler takes place July 4 in downtown Fayetteville. Registration is available online through RunSignUp at https://runsignup.com/Race/NC/Fayetteville/Firecracker4MilerFayetteville. For more information, course maps and registration details, visit the Fayetteville Running Club's social media pages or race website.

(Photo courtesy of Fayetteville Running Club's Facebook page)

Celebrate Father's Day in Cumberland County

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Tuesday, 09 June 2026

Written by Sheila D. Barker

Father's Day on Sunday, June 21, is the time to celebrate the fathers, grandfathers and father figures who have made a difference in your life.  Our community is offering a variety of special events to make the day memorable.  From brunch to baseball, spend some quality time together and show Dad just how much he is appreciated. 

Crown hosts Pokekon

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Tuesday, 09 June 2026

Written by Tara Kamiya

North Carolina Pokemon fans are expected to gather in Fayetteville this month as PokeKon Fest returns with a full day dedicated to the popular franchise that has entertained generations of players, collectors and families.
The event is scheduled for Saturday, June 13, at the Crown Complex and will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $20, while children under 11 will be admitted free. Parking at the venue is also free.
Since its debut in 1996, Pokemon has grown into one of the most successful entertainment franchises in the world. Coordinators of PokeKon say the fan base has expanded significantly over the past decade, helped in part by the success of Pokemon Go, which introduced the franchise to new players while reconnecting longtime fans with a favorite part of their childhood.
According to organizers, the continued popularity of Pokemon among adults is not surprising. Many fans who grew up collecting cards, watching the television series and playing video games in the late 1990s and early 2000s remain active in the hobby today.
That nostalgia has helped fuel a thriving collectibles market. Rare Pokemon cards have become highly sought after, with some selling for substantial amounts. Among the most famous examples is the Pikachu Illustrator card, a rare promotional card awarded to winners of a Japanese illustration contest in 1998. The card is widely regarded as one of the most valuable and difficult Pokemon collectibles to obtain.
As the value of collectible cards has increased, so has public attention on the hobby. Organizers noted that while the overwhelming majority of collectors and vendors are honest enthusiasts, valuable collectibles can sometimes attract criminal activity. Recent reports involving stolen Pokemon cards have highlighted the growing financial value attached to rare items.
Despite those incidents, the Pokemon community is described as welcoming and family oriented. Many attendees are parents who once played Pokemon themselves and now share the experience with their children.
That generational connection is one reason it is believed Pokemon will remain popular for years to come. As longtime fans introduce younger family members to the games and trading cards, interest continues to grow across age groups.
PokeKon Fest is designed to offer more than a traditional card show. Organizers say one of the biggest challenges in planning the event is creating an experience that appeals to a wide audience.
The event will feature trading card vendors, artists, special guests and voice actors connected to the Pokemon franchise. Organizers say their goal is to create a memorable experience that offers something for collectors, casual fans and families alike.
Cosplay is also expected to play a major role in the event. Strong participation is expected from local cosplay enthusiasts ranging from experienced costume creators to newcomers attending their first convention. They describe the cosplay community as creative, supportive and open to participants of all ages and skill levels.
Coordinators hope PokeKon Fest will continue as an annual event in Fayetteville. They say the gathering provides an opportunity for fans to celebrate a franchise that has connected people around the world for nearly three decades.
As preparations continue, organizers expressed appreciation for the community members, vendors, artists and volunteers who help make the event possible. Their goal, they said, is to create a fun and memorable day for Pokemon fans of every generation.