ROCKINGHAM— Downtown’s semiannual sidewalk soirée is scheduled for Thursday afternoon, despite the threat of wind and rain from Hurricane Michael.
The streets will be lined with balloons marking the areas for Affair on the Square and a variety of vendors peddling their wares including bath and body products, cosmetics, jewelry, and edibles, according to Sharon Nichols of the Rockingham Downtown Corporation Events Committee.
“We have some new vendors this fall with boating and fishing gear as well as artisan dip mixes,” she said.
Downtown businesses also get into the action. Simply Chic Boutique, Helms Jewelers and Willow Tree Gifts will offer discounts or drawings for gift certificates or merchandise and Pattan’s Grille and Henry’s Uptown Cafe will have dinner specials, according to Nichols.
Hudson Brothers Deli usually participates but is in the process of remodeling following damage caused by Hurricane Florence.
Live music is also a feature of Affair on the Square and the acoustic guitar sounds of Dark Horse Duo (Frankie Moree and Scott Infinger) will echo between the buildings.
The event, sponsored by the RDC, runs from 5 to 8 p.m. and is free and open to the public.
“This is the third year we’ve had Affair on the Square and it always gets a great turnout,” Nichols said. “It really is a social event for the community as well as an evening to shop.”
Nichols is monitoring the weather and will make a cancellation determination on Wednesday.
Several Affairs have been slightly hampered by rain since the event began, including this year’s spring event, which was rescheduled due to the threat of rain.
