Live! Downtown Fayetteville NC at Festival Park’s Ceremony for All America Award

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FayToday News
July 2, 2011
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Okay, I was late for the party. Yet as I arrived I seen people rushing toward festival park. From 4 blocks away, pedestrians were seen with lawn chairs, strollers, and significant others. I didn’t wanna miss the apple pie and ice cream, as I remember a FayToday facebook post stating it was at 7pm. I didn’t do this on purpose, but it was conveniently rewarding my tardiness. As I searched for a park, I amazingly found one in front of the Public Library, headquarters. Yes, that library, which is only a block or two away. The two hour park was all I need to join the party.

As I open my car door, I hear it, I hear it! I take approximately 14 steps and look down Ray Avenue to a crowd near the Festival park gate. While turning my pace up, I peek through the pine trees to view the density of the crowd. Half the field is covered and the NC Symphony is on stage, performing. I decide to take the back route instead of Ray Ave, just to reflect on the Dogwood Festival route I usually enjoy. The buildings bricks, the uniformed flag posts on the left, and then the bridge …I bet you know that route! I take out my lil digicam and begin snapping pics, hoping to get them on facebook quick. Sorry it took a few hours for the semi-live coverage, but I will explain my reason (aka excuse).

Well, what had happen wuz, as soon as I hit the bridge and took my 5th photo, the free stuff started coming! I am a “free” lover, a coupon junkie (u seen the tv show?), and especially a souvenir condenseur. My first impression of the trolls blocking the gates, quickly became friendly hosts of the even, passing out goodies. I first received a fan, branded with UNC-Pembroke’s Givens Performing Arts Center. With heat near 90, this was a good idea that helped out greatly.

One hand camerea, the other fanning, I strolled to the end of the bridge for more gifts. This time was a window decal of the All America City, like 4×6, with the logo. This also was a great idea, and I quickly dreamt of the whole Fayetteville population owning one. How proud & spirited would that be! Okay, I wake up to see the crowd has a few hundred lawn chairs on the grass & I’m guess a thousand folks.

I take pics and then greeted by free ice cream! A scoop in a cup with a spoon hanging out was irresistible; and oh, the reward for my tardiness. I move with the flow of the crowd toward the far side to eat my ice cream. I realize apple pie or crumb cobbler was at the bottom of the ice cream. I found a seat & enjoyed the combo. As cheesy as it may sound, I actually felt patriotic. Not cus the silly ice cream cobbler combo, but just looking at the crowd. They all were like me, happy or enjoying this event. It was a diverse mixture of our community, all listening to the symphony. They probably would’ve loved their favorite radio station to host a concert, but they were satisfied in absorbing the event alone. An atomosphere of glory.

The symbolism. Sure we won this award before, but its much different. It is the hope for a better future. Years ago, a Shaniya Davis tragedy publicized Fayetteville negatively. The community still came out to support the cause with empathy. The domestic violence with military spouses, serial rapist, and even the bad economy shadowed our city’s great attributes. There was another side, a positive side, true Fayetteville lovers knew all along. This award and party didn’t happen overnight. There was active change from our city’s great leaders and the folks who actually care about their neighbor(hood)s. Fayetteville has overcome. From the Airborne Museum’s Iron Mike Ceremony, 31 Days of Glory flag display, Dogwood Festival weekend, and right here in Festival Park, it means life is good in Fayetteville, now.

This park’s view was “FayetteNow”, as the winning video that got us thechance at the All America City award. This same video has fueled a patriotic spark from an already boiling feeling of hometown pride. Despite the delay for 20 minutes for intermission, residents sat eagerly in the hot sun. The crowd grew and grew and grew. I have never seen festival park so crowded! People sat across the street, sometimes blocked by the new WRAL Downtown trolley that made its rounds. It was all worth it.

The All America City Award was well deserved, so true, and a pivotal piece of our history and our future! I learned a few things. One, not to be tardy. I still regretted not being on time, even after my 2nd ice cream 😛 Second thing I learned, was festival park is a great place! Thousands attended tonight, but I bet many will return. And lastly, I learned Fayetteville has become a beautiful place! For folks that held onto hope, it’s as a dream come true. It’s not perfect, yet it is becoming well rounded, growing in size, and making history, every year. Lets all support and enjoy it, now.

View images from the All America City ceremony at festival park on July 1st.

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