The Come-See-Me festival is an annual showcase of Rock Hill’s highlights. A great deal of events take place with enough variety and engagement for the whole family. This year, the festival is held from April 3-12.
A few of the events that have taken place so far include; a parade, “Musical Mania”, “Chalk on Main”, and a movie night in fountain park. The Rock Hill Symphony orchestra and other local bands are additionally playing during the daytime at Glencairn Garden.
C.H. “Icky” Albright, a former Rock Hill Mayor and State Senator, first created Come-See-Me in 1962 as a weekend event. It was developed with the intent of encouraging Rock Hill visitors during the spring. However, over the years Come-See-Me has expanded to include 10 days of festivities, with over 100,000 annual participants.
Multiple attendees of the festival shared a little bit about their unique experiences.
One Rock Hill local, Cindy Grant, has a particularly significant connection to the festival.
“My husband is Chip Grant, son of Vernon Grant, who created ‘Snap Crackle and Pop’. He also created Glenn and Glinda, the mascots for the Come-See-Me festival. He’s been driving them in the red car for probably 40 plus years and they’re always the first ones in the parade,” Grant said.
Vernon Grant initially developed Glen The Frog in 1964 after visiting Glencairn Garden and observing a frog atop a lily pad. Since then, he has remained as the festival’s longstanding, iconic mascot.
On April 6, “Sundaes With Glen And Mother Goose” took place from 2:00-5:00 P.M. at Glencairn Garden. The event revolved around free kids’ activities such as story time, face painting, and balloon twisting. This event additionally sold cups of ice cream for $3 each.
Stephanie Duty, a newer resident of Rock Hill, brought her seven year old daughter to this event.
“I think they picked a great venue. The gardens are beautiful and we will definitely come back next year,” Duty said.
Lindsey Mallard also attended “Sundaes With Glen and Mother Goose” with her family. She has been participating in the Come-See-Me festival throughout her whole life.
“We really like getting to see so many friends and family members getting together as a community,” Mallard said.
Mallard and her husband are excited to pass down the annual tradition to their children. “This is the first year we are bringing our son after both coming here as kids.”
A lifelong Rock Hill local, Renee Bradley, shared her main reason for spending time at the festival. “My daughter is actually in the parade – she’s representing the Catawba Indians, and so are my two grandchildren.”
Shelley Webb, had a differing reason for attending the festival.
She stated, “I live here [a building overseeing the festival] and I saw stuff going on so I thought I’d come downstairs and check it out. I’ve been here for three years, but this is the first time I’ve ever gone to Come-See-Me.”
Come-See-Me will continue until April 13th. A few of the upcoming events include “Broadway Night”, “Moonlight Jazz and Blues”, “Barbeque Cook-Off”, and a tailgate party with fireworks.
A great deal of sponsors support Come-See-Me, including Winthrop University. For further information regarding the festival, please visit comeseeme.org.
