By Tameka Kenan-Norman, City of Rocky Mount
In an ongoing effort to draw more residents to downtown, the city of Rocky Mount and the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences will host a second annual First Friday series of events from November 2016 to May 2017. The free events will take place from 6pm to 9pm on the first Friday of each month, excluding January.
“We are excited to bring back First Friday to the Imperial Centre,” says Sheila Long, recreation supervisor at the Imperial Centre for the Arts and Sciences. “It offers our community year-round opportunities to experience what the Imperial Centre has to offer while exploring the arts and sciences.”
The First Friday kickoff will be held Friday, November 4, 2016, featuring hay rides, live music in the Maria V. Howard Arts Center and in the Children’s Museum and Science Center, along with a live band in the courtyard. First Friday will also feature a magic show, a blacksmith, a home brew competition, free hands-on activities, and free admission to the Children’s Museum and Science Center.
The December 2, 2016, First Friday event will offer holiday activities, such as carriage rides, Santa, live music, and the Christmas Chorus.
“Our goal is to engage the community and get them involved in an ongoing basis,” says Long. “We really want our residents to see just how much Rocky Mount and the downtown area have to offer.”
Admission to First Friday is free; however, Imperial Centre will charge a nominal fee for some activities, such as the Christmas Chorus. Each event includes a food truck with an affordable and family-friendly menu.
Imperial Centre is located at 270 Gay Street, Rocky Mount, North Carolina. The Centre is made up of an Arts Center, Children’s Museum and Science Center, and community performing arts theatre.
For more information on future First Friday activities, call 252.972.1266.
