Every year, on November 11, then again on January 29, the sun can be seen rising through the arches of the Fayetteville Market House.
Sandhills Sentinel photographer, John Patota, and other area photographers take their place on Hay Street in hopes of capturing this special moment some call Fayetteville Stonehenge. Although Stonehenge marks the the Summer Solstice, the Market House Sunrise happens on Veterans day, a much more fitting day given Fayetteville’s long military history.
Johnny Horne, longtime Fayetteville Observer photographer and an authority on astrophotography, first envisioned the Market House Sunrise back in 2000 after consulting sunrise tables and mapping coordinates. It took him five years to get the first photo however as bad weather and other commitments got in the way.
Now, thanks to Horne, dozens of photographers, some with just cell phones other with tripods and expensive cameras gather to witness this special event.
Article and photos by Sandhills Sentinel photographer, John Patota.
