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Party with a purpose: Legends' annual Spring Fling
- Details
- Tuesday, 21 May 2024
- Written by Katie Herring
On May 31, June 1, and June 2, Legends Pub will host their 28th Annual Spring Fling. For three days, staff and volunteers will host a big party and raise money, all of which will benefit Wreaths Across America.
The History
Over 30 years ago, Holly Whitley would host a huge party at her home with her friends, which they began to call Spring Fling. After purchasing Legends Pub in 1996, the Gypsy Women, the nickname the group had gained over the years, decided to move the party to the bar.
After finding out about a friend who had been injured in a motorcycle accident, the group decided to turn the party into a fundraising effort to help with medical expenses. For the last 28 years, Spring Fling at Legends Pub has been a party with a purpose, some years raising upwards of $50,000 to help various people and groups.
Legends owner and original gypsy woman Whitley says that the heartbeat of the Spring Fling is the volunteers. They make the event possible, helping with all aspects of the multi-day event. Volunteers consist of current and former staff and regular customers. Whitley said, “A lot of people who volunteer their time have been part of the Spring Fling from the beginning.”
Even people who have moved away from the Fayetteville area will come back to help make Spring Fling a success; it’s as much a part of their year as any other annual holiday celebration. People who are part of the Legends Pub community want to help others and will do whatever they can to help the fundraising event succeed.
The Cause
This year’s Spring Fling will benefit Wreaths Across America. WAA is a national non-profit organization that seeks to ensure every veteran in America has a wreath on their grave. They work year-round to raise funds that go directly toward the purchase of wreaths.
The organization’s mission is: “Remember. Honor. Teach. Remember the fallen. Honor those who serve. Teach the next generation the value of freedom.”
Wreaths Across America serves more than 4200 cemeteries nationwide. Of that number, only 300 are state or national cemeteries; the rest are private areas. To qualify for support from WAA, a cemetery only has to have one veteran buried there. Funds raised by WAA go to put wreaths on graves at Alloway Cemetery in Red Springs, NC, the Sandhills Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake and the Fort Liberty Main Post Cemetery.
Wreaths Across America Day is December 14, 2024, a day when volunteers participate in a ceremony that places a wreath on the graves of veterans, in every state, and even abroad and at sea. From the Wreaths Across America website: “When you volunteer at a cemetery near you on National Wreaths Across America Day, you’ll play a valuable role by placing live, balsam veterans' wreaths on the headstones of our fallen heroes. Wreaths Across America believes the tradition represents a living memorial that honors veterans, active-duty military, and their families. When each wreath is placed, the servicemember's name is said out loud, ensuring their memory lives on.”
Anyone interested in helping to lay wreaths and honor the memory of veterans is welcome to volunteer. You can find more information at wreathsacrossamerica.org.
Julie Bright, Director of Locations and Groups for this region of the country, has worked with Wreaths Across America for over 15 years. She and her husband Geoff approached Whitley about assisting with fundraising that will help to provide wreaths in our region. It was decided that all funds raised at the 2024 Spring Fling will go to benefit Wreaths Across America and the important work that they do.
The Event
This year’s Spring Fling will kick off on Friday, May 31 with a pool tournament. Local favorite Taco Arepa food truck will be on-site and the tournament begins at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, June 1, features a Poker Run. The first bike will roll out at noon. Stops include VFW 670, Kraken Skulls, and Charlie Mike’s. For those who may be unfamiliar, a poker run is a group motorcycle ride in which all participants receive a playing card at each stop on the route.
Whoever has the best poker hand by the end of the run, wins. Cost to participate in the Spring Fling poker run is $10 per person, plus $5 for each additional hand.
Immediately following the poker run on Saturday is an auction. People in or connected to the Legends Pub community donate items to be auctioned.
One interesting item included in this year’s auction is a tire from a racecar, signed by Richard Petty. The auction should begin between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m., when the poker run ends.
The fun continues on Sunday, June 2 with a Bike Show. Sign-up for the bike show is at 2 p.m., with judging taking place at 4 p.m.. To wrap up the weekend, the auction will continue following the bike show.
Legends Pub is located at 4624 Bragg Blvd in Fayetteville.
(Photo: The Gypsy Women from Legends Pub pose with the Wreaths Across America car in front of Legends Pub, May 11. The group puts on the Legends Spring Fling, a large, three day party that benefits the community. This year's recipient will be Wreaths Across America. Photo by Aly Hansen)
