This past weekend, Festival Park became a powerful gathering place for unity, remembrance, and hope as the Fayetteville community came together to honor the life of Zion Gibbs. Zion’s Day was more than a memorial—it was a collective stand against gun violence and a call for peace, love, and connection.
The event was organized by Zion’s mother, Myra Gibbs, whose strength and resolve have transformed unimaginable loss into purposeful action. Through her nonprofit, Zion’s Legacy of Love, Myra continues to carry her son’s spirit forward—sharing the same compassion, joy, and kindness that defined Zion’s short but meaningful life. Zion’s Day reflected that mission clearly, bringing people together around the values he represented.
The day began with a Cruise for Peace, where a caravan of Corvettes and other vehicles traveled from Walmart on Gillis Hill Road down Raeford Road to Festival Park. The peaceful procession served as a visible show of support for the Gibbs family and a unified statement against violence. Car clubs, families, and community supporters participated in solidarity, turning the roadways into a moving message of hope.
Once at Festival Park, the event transitioned into a vibrant community block party that welcomed hundreds of residents. Despite earlier forecasts calling for storms, the weather held, creating one of the warmest and most uplifting days of the season. Children enjoyed bounce houses, bubble play zones, lawn games, video games, temporary tattoos, and plenty of candy, while music and laughter filled the park.
An impactful addition to the event came from DrumzUp GunzDown, a nonprofit organization that engages youth through music and rhythm. Offering free drum lessons and live performances, their presence underscored the importance of creative outlets as positive alternatives for expression, healing, and empowerment.
Families gathered under shaded tents while children played nearby, creating an atmosphere that was both joyful and reflective. Many community members stopped at the main tent to learn more about Zion’s story and the mission of Zion’s Legacy of Love, offering encouragement and support for the work ahead.
Though Zion’s Day marked the nonprofit’s first public event, its impact was deeply felt. The turnout reflected a community willing to pause, reflect, and stand together—neighbors, families, advocates, and first responders united by a shared desire for peace, love, and unity in Fayetteville.
Zion’s Legacy of Love extends sincere gratitude to the sponsors whose support made the day possible:
• Fayetteville Police Department
• The Group Theory
• WatchOut Cumberland County
• Club Love
• Camaros of the Carolinas
• Sherwin-Williams
• One Common Bond
Through events like Zion’s Day, Zion’s Legacy of Love continues to ensure that Zion’s memory lives on—not through tragedy alone, but through action, compassion, and a growing movement dedicated to peace.
