February has come and gone like a whirlwind, so now come March, St. Patrick’s Day, and the first day of Spring. That means dramatically more activities and events!

So, here’s a quick primer on fun and exciting things to do in March around Fayetteville!

 

DISTINCT & UNUSUAL

 

75th Annual Camellia Show

March 4-5 / Cape Fear Botanical Garden
See the best-judged Camellia flower entries at this year’s Annual Camellia Show & Plant Sale. The show will include student exhibits, Camellia air-layering demonstrations, and the “History of Tea” exhibit. Visitors can also purchase Camellia blooms. Free admission. Visit www.fayettevillecamelliaclub.org for more info.

 

 
2023 Celebrating Women: Pop Up Shop

March 11 / Volta Space / 116 Person St. Ottis F Jones Parkway Entrance
The 2023 Celebrating Women: Pop Up Shop is a free multi-vendor shopping party showcasing women-owned businesses. Vendor booths will include jewelry, custom crafts, beauty, fashionable clothing, and food. Free mocktails and giveaways too!

 

 

Yes And?! Intro to Improv Comedy Class

March 11 / Gilbert Theater
Quick on your feet? Able to create characters on the fly? Then this class 910 Comedy Class is for you! Learn improv fundamentals such as agreement, pantomime, and creating scenes. You can use what you learn in acting and everyday life! Cost is $25. Sign up at www.gilberttheater.com/adult-education.

 

Yes and You Improve Class Promo

ST. PATRICK’S DAY EVENTS

 

St. Patrick’s Day Artsy Glow Party

March 17 / Kid Create Studio
Take the evening off and let the kids indulge at the St. Patrick's Day Artsy Glow Party, complete with blacklights, neon art supplies, and glow sticks. Kids will learn how to draw and paint four-leaf clovers. The blacklights and music come on after the creating is done! For ages 5-12. For more info, visit www.kidcreate.com.

 

Artsy Glow

 

The Sassy Lassie Trolley

March 17, 2023
Think you can handle the Sassy Lassie? Test your luck with our very own Katrina Rubiera, who will be bringing the luck of the Irish on the District Trolley. You can catch the trolley at the Cool Spring Downtown District's office at 222 Hay Street.

 

 

6th Annual St. Paddy’s Day on Hay Music Festival

March 17-18 / 405 Hay St.
Fayetteville’s annual St. Patrick’s Day festival returns with two days of Irish entertainment! This year's St. Paddy's Day on Hay Music Festival will again include green beer, drink and food, and Jameson all festival-long. Wilmington band DEKKER ROAD is headlining this year’s event. To learn more, search for St. Paddy’s Day on Hay Music Festival on Facebook.

CROWN COMPLEX

 

Kountry Wayne

March 3
Kountry Wayne brings his national HELP IS ON THE WAY comedy tour, produced by Live Nation, to to the Crown Theater for one night only. The charismatic comic has been gaining popularity after going viral for his digital sketches on Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. Tickets available at www.crowncomplexnc.com and www.ticketmaster.com.

 

 
Royal Comedy Tour 2023

March 11 
Get ready for a star-studded comedy lineup as The Royal Comedy Tour comes to the Crown Expo! Celebrity comedians Bruce Bruce, Sommore, Lavell Crawford, and Joe Clair are headlining the show. Tickets are available at www.crowncomplexnc.com and the Leisure Travel Office on Fort Bragg.

 

Metaphysical and Holistic Wellness Expo

March 18
Enter the astral plane by joining Aje Noire Creations for the 3rd Annual Good Vibrationz Metaphysical & Holistic Wellness Expo at the Crown Expo. More than 20 metaphysical and holistic vendors will demonstrate and sell everything from crystals and nutrients to wellness solutions and guided meditation programs. Tickets available at www.ticketmaster.com.

 

John Crist’s Emotional Support Tour

March 31
Get ready for some big laughs at the Crown Theater with John Crist, one of today’s fastest-rising standup comedians due to his social media popularity. He has more than 1 billion video views, 5 million social media followers, and has sold out shows from coast to coast. Tickets available at www.crowncomplexnc.com.

 

PROFESSIONAL SPORTS

 

Harlem Globetrotters 2023 World Tour

March 8 
The Globetrotters are coming to the Crown Arena with game like never before! Join the Globetrotters as they take on the Washington Generals. Children and adults alike will enjoy watching the world’s winningest and most hilarious team! Visit www.crowncomplexnc.com for ticket info.

 

 
Fayetteville Woodpeckers Spring Fling

March 4 
The Fayetteville Woodpeckers will hold its 2023 Spring Fling event at Segra Stadium to celebrate the release of Single Game tickets for the upcoming season. The free event gives fans a taste of what’s to come this summer. Activities will include a kids run on the base pads, bullpen pitching, food, beverages and a petting zoo from Sweet Valley Ranch! For more info,  www.fayettevillewoodpeckers.com.

 

 

 

Fayetteville Stingers Basketball

Watch the Fayetteville Stingers basketball team as they play their inaugural season at the Crown Complex! Coached by Fayetteville native Robert Brickey, the minor league team will compete for a TBL (The Basketball League) playoffs. Ticket and game info available at www.fayettevillestingers.com.

  • Stingers vs. Central Florida Force  – March 10
  • Stingers vs. Gulf Cost Lions – March 11
  • Stingers vs. Charlotte Purple Jackets – March 17
  • Stingers vs. Raleigh Firebirds – March 23

 

 

 

Fayetteville Marksmen Hockey

Show your support for Fayetteville’s hometown minor league hockey team, the Fayetteville Marksmen. Several weekend games are scheduled for March at the Crown Complex. Ticket and game info available at www.crowncomplexnc.com or www.marksmenhockey.com.

  • School Day Game, Marksmen vs. Pensacola Ice Flyers  – March 16
  • Luck O’ The Irish Night, Marksmen vs. Pensacola Ice Flyers – March 17
  • Rebrand Night, Marksmen vs. Pensacola Ice Flyers – March 18
  • Pucks & Paws Night, Marksmen vs. Macon Mayhem – March 31

 

 

 

Fayetteville Fury Indoor Soccer Team

Crown Complex
Now in its second year, the Fayetteville Fury Men’s Soccer Team looks to defend its NISL (National Indoor Soccer League) 2021-2022 Championship. The team will host just three home games in March, so buy your tickets now before they’re all gone!

  • Fury vs. Central Florida Crusaders March 10
  • Fury vs. Central Florida Crusaders – March 11
  • Fury vs. Columbus Rapids – March 19

 

LIVE MUSIC

 

Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra

March 18 
Watch the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra perform live at Fayetteville State University's Seabrook Auditorium. The night's performance will be Call Me Maybe, which explores the music of Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms. Selected pieces to include Overture from a Midsummer Night’s Dream and Brahm’s Symphony No. 2. Ticket info at www.fayettevillesymphony.org.

 

 
Methodist University Jazz Monarchs Concert

March 30 
The FTCC Contemporary/Jazz Ensemble will play with the Methodist University Jazz Monarchs for a free concert. The featured soloist will be trumpeter extraordinaire Kris Vargas with the 82nd Airborne Division Band.

The concert will be held at the Arts Council in downtown Fayetteville. The public is invited.


 

 
Symphony on Tap

March 5 
Presented by the Fayetteville Symphony Orchestra, Symphony on Tap is a new music series performed at local eateries to engage the community through music and beer. The March 5th performance will be at Bright Light Brewing Company. Free admission. 

 

 

 

Paddy’s Irish Public House LIVE Concert Series

Get ready to dance and sing along as live music acts perform at Paddy's Irish Pub. Admission is typically free before 9 p.m. Show, and ticket information is available at www.distinctlyfayettevillenc.com/events and www.paddysirishpub.com.

  • KasCie Page – March 3
  • Dirt Road Sinnerz – March 4
  • Reflections II Band – March 11
  • Kevin Regan Band – March 16
  • Mike MickXer – March 17
  • Paddy & Bill – March 17
  • Joyner, Young, and Marie – March 18
  • Whiskey Pines – March 24
  • The Simpletones – March 25
  • Dirt Road Sinnerz – March 31

 

The Jam Nights

Every Wednesday
Prove your musically gifted by performing at The Jam open performance night at The Church Entertainment Lounge. Open to musicians and solo singers, The Jam allows you to be the show's star. For more info, visit www.paddysirishpub.com.

 

COMEDY

 

Comedy Couch w/ the Locals Comedy Group and Tym Griffin

March 2 
Enjoy the open mic comedy experience with the Comedy Couch and featured guests at The Church Entertainment Lounge. This month’s guests include the Locals Comedy, local stand-up comedians, and Tim Griffin. The award-winning comedian pushes boundaries when discussing family life, dark humor, and living in today’s society.

 

Comedy & Cocktails with Jesse Jones and Drew Harrison

March 9 
Enjoy open mic night comedy at at The Church Entertainment Lounge before watching featured comedians Jesse Jones and Drew Harrison. Jones is an industry veteran and uses high-energy and honest storytelling to connect with his audience. Harrison takes absurd events from his youth to make audiences laugh.

OUTDOOR RECREATION & ACTIVITIES

 

Puppy Creek Golf 

Hours vary
Play a round or two at one of the coolest-sounding golf courses around: Bayonet at Puppy Creek! With its 7,000-yard layout, the Raeford course is comparable in difficulty to the Bayonet course in Monterey, Calif. Links Magazine named the local course one of the top 10 fiercest golf course names in the U.S., however!

 

Bayonet at Puppy Creek Golfer

 
14th Annual Storytelling Festival Kickoff

March 4 
The Cumberland County Public Library kicks off its 14th Annual Storytelling Festival series at Festival Park with highlighted artist Carolina Storyteller. Core Academy, Detour Slam Team, Sweet Tea Shakespeare, and DJ Zester Hare will also perform. In case of rain, the event will be held at Headquarters Library on Maiden Lane. To learn more, visit  www.cumberlandcountync.gov/library.

 

2023 Storytelling Festival Kickoff

 

Fishing Classes

Dates vary 
Fishing education classes and workshops are ramping up in March at the John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center. This month’s events include crappie fishing tactics, advanced knots and rigging, soft plastic lure making, basic rod building, fly fishing basics, fly-casting instructor training, and a family fishing workshop. For dates and times, visit https://www.facebook.com/NCFishingEd.

John E. Pechmann Fishing Education Center

Sweet Valley Ranch Animal Park

Hours vary with events
Whether you’re looking for a petting zoo, educational exhibits, or even musical entertainment, Sweet Valley Ranch has something for you. The highlight is 350 animals from all over the world and several exhibitions during the year, including the ever-popular Dinosaur World. To learn more, visit www.sweetvalleyranchnc.com.

 

Sweet Valley Ranch UTV

 

Black Ops Paintball & Airsoft

Hours vary 
Bring out your inner weekend warrior with an exciting game of all-out paintball at Black Ops Paintball & Airsoft! Packages start at $40 and allow you to compete against friends or instant arch enemies on 300 open acres. All skill levels welcome. For more info, visit www.blackopspaintball.org.

 

 

The Bicycle Shop Group Rides

Saturday Mornings 
The Bicycle Shop is resuming its Saturday Social Group Rides in March (weather-dependent). Join fellow road cyclists for a 26-mile loop in Eastern Cumberland County. All skill levels and classes welcome. Staging is at Fayetteville Community Church. Departure time is 7:30 a.m., so riders should arrive at least 30 minutes before for briefings.  

 

The Bicycle Shop Group Picture

Cross Creek Cycling Club Group Rides

Wednesdays 
The Cross Creek Cycling Group is resuming Weekly Training Group Rides (weather-dependent) on Wednesday, March 15. Join fellow road cyclists for 10- to 26-mile loops in Eastern Cumberland County. All skill levels and classes welcome. Arrive at Horne Brothers Construction by 5:45 p.m. for group assignments and rider briefings. Rides depart at 6 p.m.

 

C4 Group Selfie

 
Hiking, Parks, and Fishing

Schedules vary / Locations vary
Fayetteville and Cumberland County enjoy numerous trails and parks for outdoor recreation. Quickly find a location near you to enjoy the scenery and commune with nature. To learn more, visit www.distinctlyfayettevillenc.com/things-to-do/outdoors.