By Mike Gellatly
PEMBROKE, N.C — Town leaders want the estimated 30,000 people attending Lumbee Homecoming to know that golf carts will be the only acceptable motorized means of riding around the festival. The event will accommodate about 2,000 golf carts for which permits must be obtained. No all-terrain vehicles, utility vehicles, motorbikes, dune buggies or side-by-sides unless they have been registered and properly plated with North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. “State law does not allow ATVs or side-by-sides so we cannot allow it,” Town Attorney Gary Locklear said Monday. “In the past ATVs have been allowed, this was in error. They will not be sold (permits) from now on. It is the law. State law says we can regulate golf carts. We can’t regulate these other vehicles.” The festival, in its 49th year, celebrates the Lumbee community through cultural and artistic events, It will be held June 23 through July 8. In the past, festival attendees have used many different types of vehicles to move between events in the summer heat. “All Pembroke police officers have been instructed to take appropriate action in the event of any person found operating an all-terrain, utility vehicle or other similar vehicle within the town of Pembroke,” reads a public service announcement the town plans to advertise. “Such persons will be subject to citations and/or towing.” ❂
