Celebrate the bicentennial of Marquis de Lafayette’s visit to Fayetteville, NC, with a series of immersive events honoring his legacy.

Attention AFL members!

Once you have made your reservations for the Lafayette Farewell Tour Ball on March 4 and the Farewell Tour Dinner on March 5, send us an email and we will send you all the exciting details!

Tuesday, March 4 – Thursday, March 6, 2025

F.I.L.I. Armory and Carriage Exhibit
Location: F.I.L.I. Armory, Burgess Street, Fayetteville, NC
Explore Lafayette’s historic carriage and learn about the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry, his 1825 military escort. Advance tickets are required for this guided exhibit showcasing Lafayette’s story and his role in Fayetteville’s history.

Tuesday, March 4, 2025

Lafayette Procession and Carriage Tour
Time: Noon
Witness Lafayette’s grand entrance into Fayetteville in a horse-drawn carriage, just as he did in 1825. Accompanied by his son George Washington Lafayette and Governor Hutchins Burton, this historic recreation features the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry as his bodyguard.

Farewell Tour Ball

Time: 6:00-9:00 PM
Location: The Orangery at Cape Fear Botanical Garden
Dance the evening away at a formal ball in Lafayette’s honor. Regency attire is encouraged but not required. Enjoy live music by Syllabub and guidance from Dancemaster Charles Steplively to make the night unforgettable.

Wednesday, March 5, 2025

Lafayette Trail and Collections
Time: 1:00-5:00 PM
Follow the Lafayette Trail to historic sites, including the Liberty Point Resolves, Lafayette’s 1825 carriage, and the four-poster bed he slept in. Visit the Methodist University Lafayette Collection at Davis Memorial Library to see rare documents and souvenirs from Lafayette’s visit.

Farewell Tour Dinner

Time: 6:00-9:00 PM
Location: The Orangery at Cape Fear Botanical Garden
Savor a period-inspired dinner accompanied by live music and dramatic portrayals of scenes from Lafayette’s visit. Directed by Fayetteville State University theatre professor Jeremy Fiebig, this evening promises elegance and entertainment.