To the Editor,

The 49th annual Lumbee Homecoming includes two days of a UNCP revival of “Strike At The Wind!” on June 23 and 24 and a week later, on Friday June 30, the Julian Pierce Memorial Art Dinner occurs.

For most Lumbee people, the traditional Lumbee Homecoming events begin on July 2 and continue until Saturday, July 8. I remember the horses, buggies, wagons, bonnets and PSU headdresses of our earliest Lumbee Homecomings. I remember the original “Strike At The Wind!”

All of us have enjoyed for many years the Oxendine Picnic, the vendors, the pageants, the powwow, the gospel singings, the competitions, the car shows, and the food. Did I mention the food?

In recent years the new Lumbee horse and buggy has emerged. It’s called a golf cart. Just like the original, this contraption leaves a trail behind it. For some that trail is congested traffic with hot tempers in high temperatures. For others it is breezy summertime fun. For a few, the memories are of accidents, hurt and pain.

The town of Pembroke allows golf carts to be driven by drivers 16 years of age or older in the city limits on roads with a speed limit of 35 mph or less during six days of Lumbee Homecoming. Golf carts will be permitted from Monday, July 3, until Saturday, July 8.

Each golf cart must have a posted permit from the town of Pembroke. These permits are now available at Town Hall and cost $20 each. Remember that golf cart drivers must be 16 years or older. Don’t pay a fine for breaking these rules and don’t put children under the wheel.

State law does not allow “Side by Sides (SxS)”, UTV, or ROV vehicles to be driven or operated on public streets. The Pembroke Police Department has gone on record stating that these vehicles must not be operated on town streets. Keep ‘em in the yard at home,

I share this information so these new horses and buggies don’t put us all in the ditch. Follow the law and if you are following an underage driver or an illegal cart, call it in.

Let’s all be safe. Come on home Lumbee. There’s ice cream and collards waiting.

Eric R. Locklear

Fayetteville