The ride begins and ends at the downtown Wachovia parking lot at the corner of Dave Lyle Boulevard and Main Street. Two routes are available, a 1 1/2-mile ride and a 12-mile ride. A police escort and follow truck will be provided.

The ride will be at a slow place, 12 mph or less, and cyclists will ride in silence, wearing black arm bands. The ride is sponsored by the Rock Hill Bicycle Club. For details, visit www.rideofsilence.org/main.php.

Create Carolina festival begins this week at Winthrop

The second annual Create Carolina Arts Festival: A Southern Fried Arts Festival will be Monday through June 7 at Winthrop University. The event will feature productions by established and emerging artists from around the country.

Inspired by the current political climate, Create Carolina participants will write and produce an innovative theater piece about the untold story of Victoria Woodhull, the first female stock broker who ran for president, and Fredrick Douglass, a former slave whom Woodhull selected as her vice presidential nominee.

Festival writer-in-residence Jonathan Davidson will collaborate with Winthrop University students to create the multimedia theater production examining parallels between the political processes of the late 1800s and today. The project will premiere at the festival at 8 p.m. May 30 and 31 and June 7 in Johnson Theater.

A presentation of the production, "Train Wreck -- My Life as an Idiot," will be at 8 p.m. Friday. Writer and director Todd Williams will answer questions about the film, an official selection of the Hampton and Seattle International film festivals.

Also presented will be the documentary "A Man Named Pearl," at 8 p.m. Saturday. The documentary tells the story of self-taught topiary artist Pearl Fryar of Bishopville. Fryar will talk about his work before the screening.

Other events will include an 8 p.m. June 5 and 6 reading of "God's Man in Texas," by David Rambo, and an 8 p.m. June 4 reading of a new play, "Discretion," by Rock Hill writer Terry Roueche.

In addition to the presentations, the event offers a university three-hour credit course, performance opportunities, lectures and master classes.

The activities will provide Winthrop students and the public with hands-on cultural events. Some events are free and others require tickets. For details, visit www.createcarolina.org or call Amanda Woolwine at (803) 323-2399.

York's Downtown Live changed to Thursday

Downtown Live in York, an outdoor community concert series, has been rescheduled to 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Thursday in downtown York, in the parking lot of Whiteside Cleaners and Uniform Rental, 5 E. Madison St., York.

The event is an outdoor community concert series. Performing will be Dave Lambert and the Carolina Rails, a five-piece group playing country and rock favorites. Admission is free. Food and beverages will be sold.

Arts, live music festival is downtown on Thursday

The Rock's Arts and Music Festival, a celebration of the arts and live music in downtown Rock Hill, will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday. Outdoor activities in the Gettys Center parking lot, 201 E. Main St., include an art market, live entertainment by Ashley Peeples and Stella by Starlight, and food and drinks for sale.

An 8 p.m. concert at the Freedom Center, 215 E. Main St., will feature four-time Grammy Award winning artist Roy "Futureman" Wooten and the Black Mozart Ensemble. The ensemble will play classical music, hip hop and dance.

Tickets for the Futureman concert are $15. Other activities are free. For details, call Back Home Entertainment at (803) 417-4509, BiRD LLC at (803) 981-3188 or the Arts Council of York County at 328-2787.

Auditions scheduled for Yorkville youth show

The Young Yorkville Players will have auditions for their summer youth production of two one-act shows at 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the McCelvey Center, 212 E. Jefferson St., York.

The plays are "15 Minute Hamlet" by Tom Stoppard and "The Shakespeare Project," adapted by James Zager. Casting will be for 14 to 24 parts. Amanda Proffit will direct both plays.

Show performances will be at 8 p.m. July 18, 19, 25, 26 and at 3 p.m. July 20 and 27. For details, visit www.yorkvilleplayers.com or call (866) 334-0064.

Beckhamville re-enactment is next month in Great Falls

The seventh annual Battle of Beckhamville re-enactment will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 7 and 9:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 8 at the battelfield in Great Falls, at S.C. 97 and SC 99. The battle was the first victory for the Patriots after the May 1780 fall of Charleston.

The event includes period music, dancing, colonial tradesmen and craftsmen, blacksmiths, children's activities, sutler shops, vendors and food concessions.

Tickets are $5 for adults and $3 for children ages 6 to 12 and free for children younger than 6. Tickets are good for both days. For details, call (803) 482-2370 or e-mail gassociation@truvista.net or visit www.battleofbeckhamville.com.

It's time to submit scrips for local playwright event

Scripts are being accepted for The 2008 Playwrights' competition sponsored by Rock Hill Community Theatre. Ten-minute one-act plays may be submitted by regional professional and amateur writers, ages 18 and older.

All scripts must be unpublished, original works and must be postmarked by June 1. Fees are $10 per script and must accompany submitted scripts. Only checks are accepted. Make checks payable to Rock Hill Community Theatre and mail to P.O. Box 4464, Rock Hill, SC 29732.

York bluegrass event features Christian Faith

Christian Faith Bluegrass will perform during the Allison Creek Bluegrass at 7 p.m. June 5 at Allison Creek Presbyterian Church, York. For details, visit www.allisoncreekbluegrass.com.

United Way finale is Thursday in Fort Mill

The United Way of York County will have its community campaign finale at 8 a.m. Thursday at the Anne Springs Close Dairy Barn, 250 Dairy Barn Lane, Fort Mill. Breakfast will be at 8 a.m. At 8:30 a.m., awards will be given to companies that have increased their giving in 2007.

The first annual community report card will be revealed, a report of York County's progress towards creating a healthy, safe and prosperous community through economic health, health and wellness, community safety and lifelong learning. The public is invited.

Tickets are $5 in advance and $10 at the door. Advance tickets must be purchased by Monday. For tickets or details, call 324-2735 or e-mail Grace Lewis at glewis@unitedwayoryc.org. For directions to the dairy barn visit www.leroysprings.com/greenway.html.

It's time to sign up for summer swim lessons

Free summer swim lessons are offered through Rock Hill Parks, Recreation and Tourism for ages 4 through adult, beginning June 9. They will run every two weeks until Aug. 1.

Times and skill levels vary per site. Lessons are available at the Northside, Oakwood Acres, Emmett Scott and Boyd Hill center pools. Pre-registration is required in person at Room 390 at City Hall, 155 Johnson St., Rock Hill. Space is limited. For details, call PRT at 329-5620 or visit www.rockhillrocks.com.

Healthy lifestyles seminar is offered at two sites

Learn about healthy lifestyles at the 4-H Food, Gardening and You seminar for youth sponsored by the Clemson Extension 4-H of York.

A seminar for ages 6 to 9 will be from 9 a.m. to noon June 19 and 20 at the York County Extension Office, 120 N. Congress St., York. A seminar for ages 7 to 10 will be from 10 a.m. to noon July 9 through 11 at the Rock Hill Learning Center, 825 Edgemont Ave., Rock Hill. Registration fee is $15.

Participants will learn how to prepare and cook healthy foods, how vegetables grow and will view literature and videos about plants. For details, call Clemson Extension 4-H agent Margie Sippel at 684-9919, Ext. 113, or e-mail her at Msippel@clemson.edu.

Family festival events planned at two churches

These area churches are having family events:

• India Hook United Methodist Church, 3300 Mount Gallant Road, Rock Hill, will have a summer festival from noon to 5 p.m. June 7 at the church. Family activities include food, bands, a magician, face painting, inflatable toys, booths and more. The event will be rain or shine. Participants are asked to bring a booth or chair. To reserve a spot or for details, call April Buddin at (803) 984-2969 or e-mail ncstar4@yahoo.com.

• The York-Clover Methodist Cluster will have its family field day from 4 to 7 p.m. May 31. The event is sponsored by Good Samaritan United Methodist Church, 5220 Crowders Cove Lane, Lake Wylie. For details, call (803) 831-0304.

Scholarship applicants sought by Farm Bureau

The York County Farm Bureau is seeking applicants for its annual scholarship program. The scholarship is awarded to a student pursing a higher education degree in agriculture or a related field, after completing a semester at a four-year school. The amount is $1,000 annually, to be awarded $500 each semester with the check payable to the institution and the student.

The scholarship will be awarded to a York County resident based on character, demonstrated leadership abilities and dedication to agriculture or a related field.

Applications are available at the York County Farm bureau, 1735 Old York Road, York and are due by June 30. For details, call Laverne Spoon at the York County Farm Bureau, (803) 684-4235.

Confederate memorial event planned in Clover

The Private Thomas Caldwell Camp No. 31 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans invites the public to the Confederate Memorial Service at 11 a.m. Saturday at the Lewis Family Cemetery, 1101 Brandon Road, Clover. The Memorial Day address will be given by Theresa Pittman, president of the South Carolina division of United Daughters of the Confederacy. For details, call Kirk Carter, (704) 739-2964, or Joe Fore, (803) 222-1928.

Local mom group hosting June 14 yard sale

YorkCountyMommies.Com is seeking organizations, individuals or businesses to participate in a yard sale at 7:30 a.m. June 14. To participate, the cost is $20 per parking spot space for non-YCM members and $10 for YCM members. For details, call Brandi at (803) 448-0950 or e-mail her at brandi@yorkcountymommies.com.

Freedom Fund, concert among local benefits

The following will have fundraisers:

• The Rock Hill branch of the NAACP will have its 22nd annual Freedom Fund celebration at 6 p.m. June 7 at the Freedom Center, 215 E. Main St., Rock Hill. A reception will be at 6 p.m. and a dinner will be at 7 p.m. This year's theme is "Celebrating Diversity." Proceeds benefit community projects. Tickets are adults, $30 donation, and youth, $10 donation. For details, call Susie B. Hinton at 366-2184 or 327-1645.

• The second annual Special Olympics golf tournament will be at 1 p.m. May 31 at Pinetuck Golf Course. Hughes Auto and Truck Parts of York, Chester and Lancaster is sponsoring the event. Food will be served after the tournament. Proceeds benefit York, Chester and Lancaster Special Olympics. Sponsorship donations are due by Thursday. Make checks payable to Special Olympics Area 11 and mail to Hughes Auto and Truck Parts, Inc., 1209 E. Main St., Rock Hill. Co-sponsorship is $100, full sponsorship is $200 and corporate sponsorship is $300 to $500. For details, call Hughes Auto and Truck Parts in Rock Hill at 328-0115.

• The Oneppo Brothers band will perform from 7 to 11 p.m. Thursday at the Larne building, 103 N. Main St., Clover. Proceeds will benefit the Rotary Club charities. There will be a silent auction, hors d'oeuvres and beverages. Tickets are $15 in advance at Clover locations, including Clover City Hall, 114 Bethel St., the Clover branch YMCA, 107 S. Main St., People's Pharmacy, 134 S. Main St., and Subway, 883 Bethel St. Tickets are also available at the door.

• The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life York County-East will be at 7 p.m. May 30 at Winthrop University Irwin Belk Track. The event will begin with a celebration of life, with survivors leading the initial lap. For details, call the society at (803) 750-1693 or e-mail Amanda Wilson, society representative, at amanda.wilson@cancer.org.

• The fourth annual American Legion Post No. 31 charity ride will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday. Sign-ups will be from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the lodge, 823 Kershaw-Camden Highway, Lancaster. Proceeds benefit the American Legion baseball team. Cost is $15 singles and $25 doubles. Participants will pull a card at each stop on the ride, for a total of five stops. Prizes will be given. The event features a $1,000 cash drawing, 50/50 drawing, $500 best hand, $200 second best hand and $100 worst hand. For details, call Chuck "Catfish" Hunter at (803) 320-7475 or (803) 320-4646.

• The first annual Lewisville Old-Time Country Fair will be from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Lewisville High School in the band practice field, 3971 Lewisville High School Road, Richburg. The event will feature old- fashioned carnival games, inflatables, crafts and food, such as hot dogs and cotton candy. Participants are encouraged to bring lawn chairs. The event supports the Lewisville High School band and athletic programs. Interested vendors should call Tara Thomas at (803) 448-8272 or Angela Conner at (803) 487-6241.

• Thrift Store Ministries of Western York County, 31 N. Congress St., York, will have a buy-one-get-one-free sale on all pocketbooks and shoes this week. The store has recently been renovated and donations are being accepted for furniture, appliances, clothing and other items. Volunteers are needed to work in the store. Store hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday; the store is closed Wednesday. Thrift Store Ministries serves needy families in the York school district. For details, call 628-0808.

Civitans, quilters, dancers among locals meeting

The following groups will meet:

• The Rock Hill Civitan Club will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Mary's Cafe, 1349 Firetower Road, Rock Hill. Speaker will be Winslow Schock of the Cheer for Children Campaign, who will discuss how youth and adults can become volunteers. Special guests will be the advisers and officers of the Junior Civitan Clubs from Lancaster, Rock Hill and Northwestern high school and Sullivan Middle School. For details, call Ella Messer at 366-6797.

• The Ballroom Dance Club will have its regular fourth-Friday dance from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday at Springs Recreational Complex, 971 Tom Hall St., Fort Mill. Jim Wright will DJ. Dress is dressy casual. Members are asked to bring snacks to share. Non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Admission is $5 for first- and second-time guests. All other guests are $10. Beginners and experienced dancers are welcome. For details, call Joyce at 366-9805 or visit www.TheBallroomDanceClub.com.

• The York County Quilters will meet at 7 p.m. Monday at the New Life Free Methodist Church, 2685 Celanese Road, Rock Hill. Susan Brubaker Knapp, quilt artist, designer and teacher, will discuss thread painting and show her award-winning quilt designs. Visitors are welcome. For details, visit www.yorkcountyquilters.org. Anita Bowen will teach a workshop, Dutch Puzzle, on June 17. To attend, contact Wynnell Shows at 324-8410.

• The Rock Hill Toastmaster's Club will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the American Red Cross building, 200 Piedmont Blvd., Rock Hill. Those interested in overcoming a fear of public speaking are invited.

• The Catawba chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will meet at noon Tuesday for a picnic lunch at Hill Place Farm, home of Betty Rankin, 2600 William Lytel Place, Rock Hill. The program will include installation of officers and a memorial service. For details, call Nancy McDuffie at 324-3257.

• The Rock Hill Council of Neighborhoods will meet at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Housing and Neighborhood Services building, 150 Johnston St., Rock Hill. Speaker will be Detective Tim Ayers from the Rock Hill Police Department.

• The Rock Hill area youth director's luncheon will be at 1 p.m. May 28 at Jersey Mikes, 735 Cherry Road, Rock Hill. All Rock Hill area youth directors are invited.

• The York County Amateur Radio Society will meet at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the facility 2129 Squire Road, Rock Hill. Speaker will be Roger Gregory, president of the Southeastern Repeater Association, which provides voluntary frequency coordination for amateur radio repeaters in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Mississippi. Gregory will discuss the importance of frequency coordination. For meeting directions visit www.ycars.org.

• The Clover-Lake Wylie Republican Women will meet at noon Friday at the River Hills Country Club, One Country Club Drive, Lake Wylie. The meeting will feature a moderated debate between incumbent Republican District 48 state Rep. Carl Gullick and challenger Kyle Boyd, who are running in the June 10 primary. Lunch will be at noon and the debate will begin at 12:30 p.m. Lunch is $14 per person. The debate will be moderated by Glen McCall, chairman of the York County Republican Party. Written questions may be submitted to the moderator before the meeting. The meeting is open to the public.

For lunch reservations or details, call Suzanne Krause by Tuesday at (803) 831-0689.

Area school alumni announce reunions

The following alumni announce reunion information:

• The York High School class of 1954 will have its reunion at 6 p.m. May 31. A drop-in will be from 3 to 5 p.m. For details, call Peggy Palmer at 327-1024, Mason Smith at 684-4397 or David Thomas at (803) 804-6921.

• The Fort Mill High School class of 1998 is seeking alumni contact information for its 10-year reunion. E-mail information to shawa@fort-mill.k12.sc.us or call 548-4801.

• The Rock Hill chapter of the Scott-ites will have their 28th Emmett Scott faculty and student reunion May 23 to 26. For details, call Richard Hemphill, 327-7524, or Josephine Jordan, 329-2911. A parade is planned for May 24. Any individual, group, organization, church or business is welcome to participate. Entry fees start at $25 per unit. For details, call Johnnie McCoy at 329-0521.

Clover church preschool is accepting registration

The First United Methodist Church Preschool of Clover is having an open house and pre-school registration from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday at the school, 124 Bethel St., Clover. The school is enrolling 4-year-olds and students who will be age 3 before Sept. 1. Summer camp enrollment applications and resumes for teaching positions are also being accepted. For details, call Kathy Hall at (803) 222-3496, Ext. 13.

Celiac support group will gather May 23

Raising Our Celiac Kids support group will have its quarterly meeting at 6:30 p.m. Friday at 2741 Bush Road, Clover. Gluten-free hamburger buns will be made. For details, call Lauretta at (803) 222-5143 or e-mail laurettamcinnis@gmail.com.