Winthrop to Host Variety of Events During Annual Come-See-Me Festival

ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA - The city of Rock Hill's annual Come-See-Me Festival attracts thousands of guests with its vast array of fun and entertaining events. Several Winthrop University events are part of this year's festival, including the popular Teddy Bear Tea Party which will be hosted by First Lady Laura Mahony and daughter Elena.

From dance showcases and plays to athletics and tailgates, there truly is something for everyone. Events include:

Come-See-Me: Past & Present 
Learn more about the history of the festival through memorabilia, photos and more at the Louise Pettus Archives and Special Collections. There will be a special Come-See-Me button swap on April 20 from 2-5 p.m. in the archives.
Hours: April 14-15 and April 19-22, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.; April 16, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.; April 18, 8:30 a.m.-7 p.m.

Spring One Acts

Enjoy a lively and eclectic mix of one-act plays directed by Winthrop theatre students. Tickets are $8 for Winthrop students and $15 for the public. Adult content. Adult language. Limited seating.
Show times: April 15-16, 8 p.m.; April 16-17, 2 p.m., Johnson Studio Theatre.

Winthrop Baseball
Cheer on the Winthrop Eagles baseball team as they take on Radford University and Charleston Southern University! Free for Winthrop students and faculty/staff. Call 803/323-2129 for other tickets. 
Game times: April 15 vs. Radford, 6 p.m.; April 16 vs. Radford, 3 p.m.; April 17 vs. Radford, 2 p.m.; April 19 vs. Davidson, 6 p.m.; Winthrop Ballpark.

Winthrop Softball
Cheer on the Winthrop Eagles softball team as they take on Charleston Southern University! Free for Winthrop students and faculty/staff. Call 803/323-2129 for other tickets.
Game times: April 15 vs. Charleston Southern, 7 p.m.; April 16 vs. Charleston Southern (DH), 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.; Terry Softball Complex

Winthrop University Galleries
View the 28th Annual Undergraduate Juried Exhibition (Rutledge Gallery) and the M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition (Elizabeth Dunlap Patrick Gallery) which consists of recent work by Winthrop students. The exhibits are open 8:30-5 p.m. April 14-15 and April 18-22. An opening reception for these two exhibits will be held April 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Rutledge Gallery. On April 21, M.F.A. thesis candidates Vivianne Lee Cary, Lee Ann Harrison and Tom Seay will present an artist talk at 11 a.m. in the Elizabeth Dunlap Patrick Gallery

Winthrop Lacrosse
Cheer on the Winthrop Eagles lacrosse team as they take on Campbell University! Free for Winthrop students and faculty/staff. Call 803/323-2129 for other tickets.
Game time: April 16, 1 p.m.; Eagle Field

Winthrop Ensembles
Hear a variety of free music performances from the following Winthrop ensembles:
-April 17: Winthrop Wind Symphony, 4 p.m., Byrnes Auditorium
-April 18: Winthrop Collegiate Choir, 7:30 p.m., Frances May Barnes Recital Hall
-April 19: Winthrop Chorale/Chamber Singers. 7:30 p.m., Byrnes Auditorium
-April 21: Winthrop Symphonic Band, 7:30 p.m., Byrnes Auditorium

Teddy Bear Tea Party
Join First Lady Laura Mahony and daughter Elena at the always popular Teddy Bear Tea Party. Children ages three to six will enjoy light refreshments alongside their teddy bears. Reservations must be made by April 15. Children must have a chaperone. Call 803/323-2225 to RSVP. Entry fee is one new or gently used toy.
April 19, 3:30-4:40 p.m., Campus Green.

Student Choreography Showcase
So you think you can dance? These Winthrop students sure can as they show off originally choreographed works. Tickets are $5 for Winthrop students and $10 for the public. 
Show times: April 22-23, 8 p.m. and April 24, 2 p.m. Johnson Theatre.

Moonlight Jazz & Blues
Pack a picnic, blankets, chairs and coolers for April 22. Pick a perfect spot to soak up the moonlight and enjoy the relaxing sounds of jazz and blues. Entry fee is $5 for adults 21 and older. Parking at the Winthrop Coliseum is $5 per car. 
Entertainment includes:
6-8 p.m., Brad Bailey —reorients jazz standards to his own mix of 8-string banjo bluegrass flavored swing;
8-10 p.m., Mike Faulkenberry and The Whiskey Prophets -bluesy southern jam band produces positive vibes.
6:30 p.m., for $1 you may purchase tasty offering from the Barbeque Cook-Off Competition.
6-10, Winthrop Lake.

Barbeque Cook-Off
Area Barbeque masters demonstrate their skills at the 9th annual Come-See-Me Barbeque Cook-Off on April 23. Judged by the S.C. Barbeque Association, team registration is $250 plus a $25 refundable clean-up deposit. Ribs competition is an additional $25 per team. Registration deadline is April 8. Judging begins at 10 a.m. At 3 p.m. barbeque sandwiches and meat by the pound will be for sale. To purchase, visit the large white tent near main entrance and beside the souvenirs' tent near stage.
Winthrop Lake

Tailgate Party 
Grab your tailgate gear and your family and friends for this fun afternoon beginning at 3 p.m. on April 23. Tailgating fee is $5 for adults; IDs are required. Entertainment will begin at 3:30 p.m. on a set-up stage. Parking is $5 per car in the Coliseum lot. Entertainment is as follows:

3:30-5 p.m.: Remedy Hollow - trio sharing folk and country tunes
5:15-6:45 p.m.: Crashbox - alternative and classic rock
6:45 p.m. Carolina Skydiving Exhibition
7-8:45 p.m. Marcus King Band - blend of rock, funk, blues and soul
9 p.m. Fireworks Extravaganza: Fireworks are synchronized to music and broadcast live on WRHI. 

For more information visit the official Come-See-Me website.