FAYETTEVILLE TO CELEBRATE LAFAYETTE’S BIRTHDAY ON SEPTEMBER 11
In 1825, the Revolutionary War hero marquis de Lafayette visited
Fayetteville, North Carolina during his “Grand Tour” of
the United States. Of all the cities named for him, Fayetteville
was the only one he actually visited. It was in 1783 that
Fayetteville became the very first city named for this French
nobleman, who came to America’s aid during its fight for
freedom from England. On Saturday, September 11, Fayetteville will
celebrate Lafayette’s birthday with a variety of events and
family-oriented activities.
The Lafayette Society of Fayetteville began an annual celebration
in 2007, the 250th anniversary of Lafayette’s birth. Because
of that event and because of Fayetteville’s unique connection
to Lafayette, the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives
proclaimed “Fayetteville is the place where North Carolina
celebrates Lafayette’s birthday.” Although the actual
birthday is September 6, the weekend after Labor Day has been
designated for the public observance.
9 a.m. Guided tour of the Lafayette Trail.
Photos courtesy of: Alphonso Peppers
The Lafayette Trail is one of the Cultural Heritage Driving Trails,
a new program of the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors
Bureau. It starts at the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry
Headquarters and Museum on Burgess Street in historic downtown
Fayetteville. Bruce Daws, city historian and Commander of the
F.I.L.I., will lead you on a fascinating trip through time as you
retrace the footsteps of General Lafayette during his visit to
Fayetteville in 1825. For a sneak preview, go to the website for
the Fayetteville Area Convention and Visitors Bureau,
www.visitfayettevillenc.com.
Your journey begins with coffee and a screening of the
award-winning documentary “Vive Lafayette.” There will
be some walking but you will be chauffeured from one site to the
next in a comfortable air-conditioned bus. After the tour, you will
have the rare opportunity to enjoy an elegant luncheon in the 1831
Market House. Tickets are only $25 per person and may be purchased
at City Center Gallery & Books at 112 Hay Street or by calling
910-678-8899. Space is limited to only 30 people and early
registration is recommended.
7am-11am Lafayette French Toast Breakfast Fundraiser for the Child Advocacy Center
Start off your day of fun with a delicious French toast breakfast
in honor of the famous Frenchman’s birthday! It comes with
bacon or sausage and coffee for only $7 and you may substitute
pancakes for French toast. For every plate sold, Horne’s
Café will donate $2 to the Child Advocacy Center, a
nonprofit agency dedicated to stopping child abuse in Cumberland
County. Horne’s Café is located at 124 Hay Street and
tickets may be purchased in advance there or in the front lobby of
the CAC at 336 Ray Avenue. Tickets will also be available at
Horne’s on the day of the event.
9:30am Lafayette Parade of Pooches for the Child Advocacy Center
Photos courtesy of: Alphonso Peppers
Bring your canine pal downtown for an informal gathering and parade
in honor of the marquis de Lafayette. Dogs of French descent, from
poodles to bijons, will be the stars of the show but anyone can
join in the fun! All breeds are welcome if they wear a costume with
a French or Revolutionary War theme (think berets and bikinis!) or
if the owner is French, or took French in high school, or just
likes French food and wine! Dogs (or owners) in costume will have
the chance to compete for prizes in several categories. Experts in
dog -grooming will be on hand to offer valuable tips on how to keep
your dog looking his or her best. Come meet some of the Child
Advocacy Center’s “welcome dogs,” part of a new
program at the CAC that uses therapy dogs for some of their young
clients. Gather at 9:30AM with your dog (on a leash please) at the
corner of Anderson and Hay Streets.
The good folks from the Dogwood Festival are helping
organize this event with the Child Advocacy Center. You can call
them to register ahead of time at 910-323-1934. Registration for
dog and owner is just $5 and proceeds benefit the CAC. All
registrants will receive a goody bag that is sure to please your
pet! You may also pick up a registration form at the CAC at 336 Ray
Avenue or at Horne’s Café at 124 Hay Street. For those
whose dog just can’t plan that far ahead, on-site
registration will be available.
9am Lafayette Rotary Club 10K, 5K, and 1-mile Fun Run or Walk
Photo courtesy of: Alphonso Peppers
Put on your running shoes and join the Lafayette Rotary Club in
celebrating Lafayette’s birthday! Runners will cover a 10K or
5K course over gently rolling hills along shaded streets through
some of Fayetteville’s prettiest neighborhoods. These races
are sanctioned using the Champion Chip
System. There is also a 1-mile fun run or walk for those who just want to enjoy the great
outdoors. All participants will enjoy a valuable goodie bag, sharp
tee shirts, and the friendliness and helpfulness of the host
Rotarians!
Registration starts at 8AM at Fayetteville Technical Community
College at the corner of Hull Road and FTCC Access Road. Entry fees
are only $20 for early registration before September 4. Proceeds
will be used to buy dictionaries for Cumberland County school
children. Go to www.active.com to register or call 910-964-3996 for
more information.
9am to 3pm Lafayette Open Fencing Tournament
Photos courtesy of: Alphonso Peppers
Come see some of North Carolina’s best fencers competing for
top prize in the 2nd Annual Lafayette Open Tournament. The coaching
staff at All-American Fencing Academy includes former World Cup and
NCAA fencers. The public is invited to watch all the action and
learn more about this exciting sport.
The United States Team won a record 6 medals in the Olympics in
2008 and fencing is enjoying a surge in popularity. However,
fencing has its origins in Europe over 300 years ago. THE THREE
MUSKETEERS by Alexander Dumas was based on the Black Musketeers in
service to the King of France. Lafayette’s grandfather
commanded the Black Musketeers for a time and Lafayette himself
became a member of that elite unit when he was only 14.
The Lafayette Open is sanctioned by the North Carolina division of
the United States Fencing Association. There will also be an
unsanctioned open foil competition for ages 7 through 12 on Friday
September 10 at 7PM. Both tournaments will take place at the
academy’s fencing studio at 207 B Donaldson Street in
downtown Fayetteville. Spectators admitted free. Call 910-644-0137
for more information.
10am to 5pm Lafayette Birthday Sidewalk Sale
After the dog parade, enjoy shopping in a unique atmosphere that
only historic Downtown can offer. Downtown Alliance merchants will
set up displays outside their shops with many items discounted as
their way of saying “thanks!”to Fayetteville’s
namesake hero.
Click here for a sneak preview of the Sidewalk Sale specials!
10am to 5pm Festival of Yesteryear
Photos courtesy of: Alphonso Peppers
The popular Festival of Yesteryear returns to the Museum of the
Cape Fear Historical Complex just in time for Lafayette’s
birthday. This festival highlights the state’s Colonial and
Revolutionary War history and is an amazing historical experience
for all ages. It’s a full day of family fun and it’s
all FREE---consider it a “cultural stimulus package”
for these tough economic times!
Watch military re-enactors interpret the life of 18th-century
soldiers, including an artillery crew with cannon, British Dragoons
and the North Carolina Highland Regiment. See civilian re-enactors
demonstrate blacksmithing and other colonial trades and crafts.
Child-friendly activities will include an interactive toy and game
section and a doll-making project. In Apprentice Alley, kids can
make a tricorner hat, work rebus puzzles, and much more.
Professional storytellers will regale both young and old with
exciting tales of colonial North Carolina.
For more information or directions, visit the museum’s Web
site www.museumofthecapefear.ncdcr.gov or call Jim Brisson at (910)
437-2603
3pm to 9pm French Wine and Cheese Tasting
Experience the gastronomic pleasures of France without leaving
Fayetteville! The Fresh Café at 212 Hay Street in historic
Downtown will host a free wine tasting from 3 to 9pm, featuring
regional wines and cheeses of France. The Fresh Café
specializes in organic and vegetarian dishes and their motto is
“Good Food Naturally.”
5 to 8 p.m. Lafayette Birthday “Party in the
Park”
Photo courtesy of: Alphonso Peppers
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Come to Cross Creek Park downtown from 5PM to 8PM for
Lafayette’s big party, hosted by the Lafayette Society, the
Fayetteville Area Transportation and Local History Museum, and
Morgan Stanley-Smith Barney. There will be cake and ice cream, plus
great barbecue, great music, and great family fun! There will be a
special kids area for games, coloring, face-painting, bounce
houses, and Truman, the mascot from Kidsville News. Enjoy a plate
of eastern-style North Carolina barbecue with sides and all the
iced tea you can drink. Relax and listen to live music by Joyner,
Young, and Marie, Fayetteville’s “good time
rock-and-roll band.” There will be plenty of seating under
the tents, but feel free to bring blankets and strollers and lawn
chairs!
Tickets are only $10 per person. Unlimited use of the bounce houses
for children under 12 is $5, but this is included FREE with a $10
ticket. Tickets may be purchased in advance at City Center Gallery
& Books at 112 Hay Street or by calling 910-678-8899 or on site
at the time of the event. Proceeds from each ticket sold will be
used to help purchase bronze and granite markers for
Fayetteville’s first Revolutionary War Park. Cross Creek Park
is near the Market House and is located between Green Street and
Anne Street across from the Systel Building. In the event of rain,
the barbecue and concert will be held in the fellowship hall of
First Presbyterian Church on Anne Street behind the park.
