WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM
18 UCW MAY 11 - 17, 2022
EVENT
Fort Bragg's Smith Lake Beach's
opening weekend is scheduled Fri-
day, May 27, until Monday, May 30.
e fun-filled weekend will fea-
ture themed days, giveaways, games
and plenty of activities for the whole
family.
On FREEdom Friday, the first 500
guests can enjoy free entry and a
meal. SUPER Saturday will feature
water slides, bouncers and games.
ose visiting on Sunday Fun Day
can check out local food trucks and
participate in family-fun games.
Giveaways and more fun activi-
ties will conclude the weekend on
Memorial Day.
New to the lake this year is an
inflatable aqua park with over 40
elements and a 1/4 mile long Ski
Rixen, which pulls wakeboarders,
water skiers and knee boarders.
While family fun is undoubtedly
high up on the list for an epic Me-
morial Day weekend, safety takes
the top spot.
"e beach is, well — a beach,"
said James Day, chief of outdoor
recreation, Family and Morale, Wel-
fare and Recreation.
"It has very little shade, so be sure
to bring plenty of water and sun-
screen, and you just might want to
bring a sun hat."
ough Smith Lake Beach does
have lifeguards on duty, parents are
responsible for their children.
Any ID card holder under the
age of 13 must be accompanied by
an adult guardian 18 years of age
or older. Patrons 7 and under must
be within arm's reach of an adult
guardian 18 years of age or older
at all times. Children are allowed
to wear Coast Guard-approved life
vests in the water.
After destruction from Hurricane
Matthew, Smith Lake was closed
from 2016 until 2020. e park is
now open seven days a week to the
public. Although Smith Lake is on
Fort Bragg, only certain areas are
restricted to DoD ID cardholders.
"Because of its location, tucked
away in the pine trees of Fort Bragg,
you can enjoy the outdoors without
having to travel too far," said Shari-
lyn Wells, Fort Bragg spokesperson.
"Smith Lake Recreation Area really
has everything."
Smith Lake Recreation Area is a
popular location for military and
civilian families alike. e 200-acre
park features picnic areas, grills,
playgrounds, camping, fishing and
trails for hiking or biking.
"As the garrison, it is our job to
provide our community with holis-
tic ways to improve and maintain
mental and physical health," said
Col. Scott Pence, Fort Bragg garri-
son commander. "Smith Lake is just
one of the many facilities that offer
service members and their families
options for an overall better quality
of life."
e fun kicks off at 11 a.m. and
those coordinating the event are
excited to get the party started.
"When visitors leave, I hope they
say, 'What a great day! I cannot wait
to come back again,'" Day told Up
& Coming Weekly. "We hope the
time they spend at Smith Lake is
enjoyable, and we'd also like them
to spread the word. Smith Lake will
be a great place to cool off from
the summer heat and enjoy time
together."
Smith Lake Beach is open only
to DoD Id cardholders and their
guests.
Current access fees for swimming
are $5 for guests aged 12 and older
and $3 for those 11 and younger.
For more information, visit
https://bragg.armymwr.com/pro-
grams/smith-lake-recreation-area.
Smith Lake opening weekend features beach party
by ASHLEY SHIRLEY
People enjoying a day at Smith Lake Beach in
Fort Bragg. (Photo courtesy Fort Bragg MWR)
ASHLEY SHIRLEY, Staff Writer.
COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin-
gweekly.com 910-484-6200.
Owned & Operated by TWO BROTHERS Catering
I
n
t
i
m
on
y
a
t
T
h
e
V
i
n
e
P
riva
te
•
R
o
m
a
n
tic
•
A
f
f
o
rd
ab
le
C
u
st
o
m
C
a
teri
n
g
by
T
w
o
B
r
o
t
h
ers
Intimony at THE VINE Event Venue
Wedding Packages
Meeting & Party Facilities
CALL 910-584-9892 to host your event
CALL 910-584-9892
eVineNC.com or TwoBrothersCateringNC.com
806 Katie Street Fayetteville NC (Of f Owen Drive behind O-Reilly's)
M
areena
&
J
a
m
es
EXPERIENCE BETTER!
At Bragg Mutual,
We Make Banking Simple.
Join Us And Experience The Difference
YOU ARE OUR PURPOSE
Equal Credit Opportunity Lender.
