Tag Archives: rock hill

Fall Events in Rock Hill

Local Fall Events

If you’re looking for something seasonal to do with friends or family that’s a little more
exciting than a pumpkin spice latte (as nice as those may be), consider these local
events and happenings in the Rock Hill area:

Fall Frolic Weekends

Each Saturday and Sunday, 10am-4pm from October 12–27, Anne Springs Close
Greenway is offering fall fun with wagon rides, pedal carts, horse rides, kayaking, a
kiddie corn maze, corn hole games, pumpkin patch and more. Gateway Canteen will be
offering fall festival food in addition to their regular menu. For pricing and information
visit their website.

Carowinds Fun

Select days through the end of October, enjoy all kinds of fall fun at The Great Pumpkin
Fest at Carowinds .

The event includes a challenge course, corn maze, hay bale maze,
games, crafts and more. Weekends in November, don’t miss the Peanuts Celebration ,
with petting zoo, entertainment, and all kinds of Snoopy and friends fun.

Food Truck Friday

Sample all the best food truck vendors at Fountain Park in Old Town Rock Hill on Friday
October 18. Live music and children’s activities, as well as local food and drink options.

Harvest on the Homestead

Learn about 19th century fall harvest and winter preparation in Historic Brattonsville at
this living history event. Cooking and preserving, cotton picking, corn shelling, children’s
games, petting zoo, blacksmithing, woodworking, historical tours, storytelling, and more
on Saturday October 19 from 10am-4pm.

Lanterns and Legends

Weekend evenings (some Sundays) through October enjoy a walking tour of historic
Fort Mill, complete with ghost stories and local lore . Tours start at 6:30, 7:00, and 7:45,
and tickets include discounts at local restaurants.

York County Considers Business Tax Breaks

York County Councillors will meet in coming months to determine how and whether the county will offer incentives for businesses relocating to the area.
Financial breaks to spur economic development are common, including fees in lieu of tax (FILOT) agreements, Bailey Bill which freezes taxable value on redevelopment properties, and federal Opportunity Zones (of which parts of Rock Hill, Chester, and Lancaster are designated). In March, legislation for tax and development credits were introduced by state legislators in hopes of bringing the Carolina Panthers training site and headquarters to South Carolina.

However, not everyone is in favor of such tax breaks. Citizens are not privy to any such deals, and the county can’t afford to give these incentives to all businesses.

Councilwoman Christi Cox has asked to schedule a discussion on the impact and value of such incentives. Usually, the economic development committee sees potential FILOT agreements before they’re presented before the whole council, but a workshop is planned to address issues before the entire council. Some of those issues include whether a business seeking a fee agreement is offering livable wages, and that the promised investments are being realized.

Sometimes incentives and fee agreements are worked out behind closed doors, using code names (“Project Combat," for instance). Cox affirms that the county and council members can be pro-business without approving FILOTs for every business and that the county should be selective when it comes to who gets these deals. “ Every business is welcome here in York County — period. The question is, at what point and when do
we extend tax breaks?”