Nathan Hildebrandt
palmettoreport@gmail.com

(Rock Hill, S.C.) – On the first Friday of each month, Rock Hill businesses host an event that features discounts on drinks, game nights, live music and art exhibits.

First Fridays, in a coordinated partnership between the city and the Arts Council of York County, include an expanding list of locations engaging with deals, displays and activities for visitors and customers.

Painter J. Michael Simpson said he likes to share his work with visitors at the First Fridays.

“I depend on their responses to sort of guide me. Not to dictate what I do, but to kind of tell me what they’re seeing,” he said. “It’s a wonderful experience.”

The 76-year-old Simpson said that businesses may get more attention than some of the art displays downtown.

“I get a few people,” said Simpson, of his art studio, which he has worked out of for the last 24 years. “But mostly the people I think are out looking at the shops and art may not be on their mind, but I do get people, sometimes half a dozen people.”

Jonathan Pollina, a self-employed Rock Hill resident and Winthrop graduate, said he chose to spend his evening at the Common Market, where he said he was enjoying time with friends.

“Common Market does a game night on the first Fridays of the month, so a lot of times I like to come and hang out, do a couple board games, eat some food, drink some beer,” he said.

“I like the fact that you can kind of look at what day of the week it is and search one of the small businesses in the area and find something to do,” Pollina said. “I try to come out when I can. Maybe like every couple months is when I really get the chance to do it.”

Rock Hill has a heavy art presence, with murals and exhibits spread across downtown, and the First Fridays help to maintain that enthusiasm.

Conner Maxwell, a bartender at Common Market, said he appreciates Rock Hill for its art.

“I like Rock Hill because, I don’t know, it’s like a good in-between, between a smaller city and bigger city; Charlotte’s right there,” he said. “A lot of good art, a lot of good artists.”

Many of the participating businesses typically start their offerings at 5 p.m. on First Fridays and the event often draws crowds looking to enjoy Rock Hill’s food, music and arts.

The next First Friday will be Oct. 6 in downtown Rock Hill.