CHANCELLOR BETS ON RAIN
The opening ceremony at the annual Pembroke Day celebration was one of mixed emotions as various officials spoke about the importance of the festival.
Chancellor Allen Meadors took the stage and thanked the community for coming out and showing support of UNCP. Dr. Meadors chiefly addressed the cloudy weather at the opening ceremony.
“There are three things you can count on at Pembroke Day,” Dr. Meadors said. “Community and campus fellowship, good food and rain.”
Pembroke Day is a celebration honoring both the town of Pembroke and UNCP. The event is designed to bring the two bodies of people together and to embrace both the similarities and differences of the town and the university.
“Rain comes with the territory,” remarked Dr. Meadors as he looked up to the gray skies.
As Dr. Meadors pressed on, he relentlessly commented about the weather to the point where it comprised the majority of his short speech.
“I think out of the 20 years we’ve had Pembroke Day, we’ve had rain at all but two,” Dr. Meadors said.
Pembroke Day proceeded without rain and delighted the crowd. Although the humidity made the air uncomfortable, most people in the crowd considered it a small sacrifice compared packing everything up due to a sudden downpour.
The food, prepared by Sodexho, consisted of grilled chicken and barbecue pork sandwiches with all the trimmings. Lunch was free and provided an opportunity for members of the community to embrace the students and faculty of UNCP. The beverages consisted of iced tea and soft drinks, as well as lemonade. For dessert, wide arrays of cookies had been prepared and were waiting at the end of the serving line.
A variety of entertainers took the stage during the course of the day including Miss UNCP Jamee Hunt. Southern gospel performers, the Pembroke Singers and Miss Lumbee all made vocal appearances on the main stage.
The stage, located in front of Old Main, had speakers on both sides making it very loud and uncomfortable for those with booths in front of them.
“I think I’m going deaf,” exclaimed Pine Needle Editor Christian Felkl.
Dr. Meadors circled the booths after making his speech and ate lunch with some undisclosed university officials. It was obvious to onlookers that if the Chancellor had buttons, they would have burst with pride.