CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 61 Parfitt pointed out that Fayetteville was the first city in the United States named for Lafayette, and it was the only named city in which Lafayette stopped during his tour. However, the reasons for studying and honoring him go much deeper than that. "He was absolutely enthralled with the ideas of democracy and freedom," Parfitt said. Almost two hundred years later, the celebration continues thanks to the lo- cal Lafayette Society. is year, the ninth annual Lafayette Festival will be held in tandem with the Greek Festival held at the Hellenic Center of Saints Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church. Not only do these two events provide plenty of options for a fun- filled weekend in Fayetteville, but they also showcase cultural differences La- fayette fought to protect. When Greece revolted against the Ottoman Empire in 1821, Lafayette saw many parallels to the American struggle and vigorously advo- cated for their independence. His words as well as his own story even inspired several Americans to travel to Greece and fight alongside them. Celebrating Lafayette On Friday, September 11, the Arias and Artifacts event at Methodist Uni- versity officially kicks off the celebra- tion of Lafayette with a collection of artifacts—including some of the mer- chandising from Lafayette's American tour—in the Davis Library, followed by an evening of French music at Hensdale Chapel. According to Parfitt, this type of city-wide involvement between civic organizations has been the hallmark of the Lafayette celebration since its incep- tion in 2007. Another such community event is the Festival of Yesteryear held by the Mu- seum of the Cape Fear. Festivalgoers are taken back in time to the Revolutionary War era, with woodworking and open- fire cooking demonstrations as well as performances by Tryon Palace's Fife and Drum Corps and the N.C. High- land Regiment historical re-enactors. Parents can also sneak in a history les- son for kids while they enjoy making tri-cornered hats, trying their hands at HigHland Funeral Service & crematory "Serving the Greater Fayetteville Area for Over 40 Years" Locally Owned & Operated 910.484.8108 | 610 Ramsey Street | Fayetteville WE'VE GOT THE TOOLS. We're a local, full-service agency stacked with a team of creative talent, digital gurus, storytellers and 'MacGyvers' of marketing. "

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