Community Events

Grinding of the Greens
Each January, PWC partners with Progress Energy, the City of Fayetteville, and the Cape Fear Botanical Garden in a Christmas Tree Recycling Program known as Grinding of the Greens.

Established in 1994, the program encourages area residents to " recycle” their live Christmas trees. Employees from each organization join forces after Christmas and grind the trees into mulch for use at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden off of Hwy 301 N.

PWC acts as the coordinating agency in the effort, coordinating the marketing and operations of the event. Because of these efforts, each year thousands of trees have been put to good use at the garden rather than being sent to local landfills.

Carolina Home Show
Join PWC in late March for the Home Builders Association’s annual Carolina Home Show at the Crown Expo Center. PWC displays feature helpful, money saving tips for water and energy use at your home.

Dogwood Festival
Known as the City of Dogwoods, Fayetteville showcases our state flower each April during the Dogwood Festival. Events include everything from sporting events to concerts, street dances to children’s events, there's something for everyone. Throughout the weekend, PWC employees hand out free water along with other free give-a-ways and a variety of educational handouts. PWC also has displays during that weekend's 4th Friday event downtown that demonstrate the wonder of water.

Visit the Cape Fear Botanical Garden free during the entire month of April, courtesy of Fayetteville PWC. Your hometown utility invites you to revisit (or discover) this hometown treasure - with free admission* thanks to PWC. Stroll through splendid gardens and woodland paths along the banks of the Cape Fear River. See the recreated turn-of-the-century farmstead. And while you're there, get some conservation tips from PWC's Water Wise Garden. Learn how you can have beautiful landscaping with minimal watering required. Visit the Cape Fear Botanical Garden - www.capefearbg.org/
*excluding group tours

National Drinking Water Week
During the first full week of May, PWC reminds the community to “Let’s Use Our Water Wisely” as it observes National Drinking Water Week, an educational campaign to help people understand what it takes to ensure safe drinking water.

Citizens can help ensure an adequate supply of water, now and for the future, if we simply make a conscious effort to use water wisely.

A variety of events are held to promote National Drinking Water Week, including displays at the annual Dogwood Festival and 4th Friday event in April. Visitors to our lobby can receive give-a-way items as well as important information on water conservation, our local water quality, our watershed responsibilities and water wise gardening.

Cumberland County, Fort Bragg, and Pope Air Force Base yeam up on July 4th to honor soldiers, airmen, their families, and our communities with "Operation Celebrate Freedom." "Operation Celebrate Freedom," a series of events throughout Cumberland County and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) events on Fort Bragg, centers on traditional Fourth of July patriotic activities. It recognizes and thanks the soldiers, airmen, and military families that have participated in the continuing Global War on Terrorism. The community-military events also reinforce the special bond between Fort Bragg, Pope Air Force Base, and the communities in which we live and work.

Each month, a couple of thousand people are finding out that downtown Fayetteville is the "art" of Fayetteville as they participate in The Arts Council’s Fourth Friday event. The night begins at 7 p.m. at the Arts Council on 301 Hay Street. Exhibits, entertainment, refreshments and featured artists all combine to bring the art of Fayetteville to everyone – free of charge! Businesses in the four and a half block of historic downtown Fayetteville join the action and become artistic venues on Fourth Friday, featuring the arts in all forms, for all ages. Fourth Friday is like an old fashioned “Gallery Crawl.” Folks of all ages get a taste of Fayetteville's art and entertainment while enjoying the small galleries, bookstores, bistros and shops with unique items for shoppers. Even the streets become the stage for roaming magicians, puppet shows and drum circles. It’s safe, it's fun and did we mention it's free! Families love it. Seniors love it. Teens love it. Arts supporters love it. And once you've been to a Fourth Friday, you'll love it too. So what are you waiting for? Join us on Fourth Friday. Visit the Art Council on the web - www.theartscouncil.com/

Imagine over 70,000 people from all over the world together in one place—celebrating their individual cultural heritage AND their tremendous pride for living in America. Famous for its music, cuisine, and cultural revelry, the International Folk Festival returns to historic downtown Fayetteville each September. Eat your fill at the International Cafe where you can sample the culture form over 30 different countries representing Fayetteville's population. Arts and Crafts booths will display and sell handmade items, many from folk art traditions around the world. Six performance stages will provide continuous music and dance. Named one of the top 20 events in the southeastern United States by the Southeast Tourism Society, the Festival is a celebration of diversity and cultural traditions from all over the world. Visit the Art Council on the web - www.theartscouncil.com/

Public Power Week
Each October, PWC joins with more than 2000 Public Power providers across the United States to celebrate the benefits of being a Public Power Community.

Since 1905, PWC, a public power electric provider, has operated for the benefit of our local customers. As a public power provider, we are locally controlled and locally operated. Our employees are your friends and neighbors. And the electric revenue stays in our community to help Fayetteville/Cumberland County grow and prosper. Because we are local, we can provide the fastest possible response to our customers. PWC is proud to serve over 79,000 electric customers throughout our community. A variety of events are held to promote Public Power Week including "It’s Electric" Saturday and activities at the October 4th Friday event.

During Public Power Week, visitors to our Business Center lobby can receive free give-a-way items and important conservation & safety information.

"It’s Electric" Saturday
Typically the second Saturday in October, PWC celebrates being a public power provider by hosting "It's Electric" Saturday. PWC linemen take you for a bucket truck ride while Wally Watt Watcher and friends share in fun & games... they even do the Electric Slide! Learn about electrical safety and energy conservation while having a great time with PWC.

ShowBiz is Fayetteville’s largest business-to-business tradeshow held annually on the fourth Thursday in October at the Crown Expo. The Crown Expo is filled to capacity with vendors and business representatives arriving throughout the day to view the latest products and services. The event has become a much-anticipated trade show drawing increasing numbers of exhibitors and spectators. Visit the Cumberland County Business Council on the web: www.ccbusinesscouncil.org/