PEMBROKE — The 47th annual Lumbee Homecoming will go out with a brightly colored bang tonight.
As is the tradition, the weeklong tribute to the tribe will wrap up with a fireworks display at 9 p.m. outside the Lumbee Regional Development Association complex on Prospect Road in Pembroke.
The final day of homecoming kicked off at 7:15 a.m. with the 34th annual 5K Run and Fun Walk at Southeastern Health and Fitness Center in Pembroke. This year’s event is dedicated to Johnny Hunt, the former superintendent of the Public Schools of Robeson County who retired Tuesday.
Following the walk, a classic car show will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. along Prospect Road.
At 10 a.m., a parade featuring more than 100 units will begin its slow march through downtown Pembroke. One of Lumbee Homecoming’s most popular events, the parade regularly draws thousands of spectators.
Downtown Pembroke will be filled with vendors selling food, American Indian crafts and other items during the parade.
The University of North Carolina at Pembroke will host a handful of homecoming events throughout the afternoon.
Tribal ambassadors will gather inside the university’s Native American Resource Center for a meet and greet at 11:30 a.m. The American Indian Science and Engineering Society will hold a powwow on the campus quad at noon.
The powwow will conclude at 12:30 p.m. with a coronation ceremony for the newly elected Senior Miss Lumbee, Miss Lumbee, Teen Miss Lumbee, Junior Miss Lumbee and Little Miss Lumbee. The women were selected during pageants at Robeson Community College and Givens Performing Arts Center. Check out the July 12th edition of The Robesonian for a roundup of this year’s pageant winners.
Hunt will be honored for his 39 years of service to the Public Schools of Robeson County at 1 p.m. with a reception at the university’s annex building.
A gospel concert will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. outside the Lumbee Regional Development Association complex before the Lumbee Fireworks Sky Show starts.
Lumbee Homecoming was established in 1968 through a collaboration between the Lumbee Jaycees, the Lumbee River Development Association, the town of Pembroke and The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, which was known as Pembroke State University at the time.
This year’s celebration began June 27. In addition to the beloved pageants, powwows and concerts, festivities included a golf tournament, art auction, bike ride and military ball.
St. Pauls will ring in the Fourth of July today with its annual fireworks show. The free event begins at nightfall and will be held behind the Piggly Wiggly on U.S. 301. Vendors and a deejay are set to be on hand.
Parkton will also hold its 54th annual celebration beginning at 9 a.m. today in town square, behind Town Hall.
The opening ceremony will include a welcome by the mayor, the raising of the American flag, patriotic music, a bicycle contest, vendors and an introduction of Ms. Ruritan.
A performance by The Gospel Four will begin at 10 a.m., followed by a parade at 11 a.m. The band Brickyard Road will perform at 12:30 p.m.
Today’s forecast calls for high of 93 degrees with a 20 percent chance of precipitation.
