By Bailey Quinonez

Staff Writer

Never mind spring. Summer has arrived in Rockville.

Friday marked not only the opening for the Rockville Rooftop but also the first of the First Fridays Deck Parties.

"It's officially summer today. There is just something about having the Beach Boys playing. I think these Friday deck parties are going to be great. It's a community builder," said Mayor Susan Hoffmann.

Rockville holds the party the first Friday of every month on the rooftop of the Arts and Innovation Building from May until September from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Admission is free and food and drinks are available for purchase. However, if you don't feel like eating, you can always dance the night away or admire the view of the new Town Center. "Take yourself to the top ... the sun and stars are thrown in for free," said Hoffmann.

Whether you desire an ice-cold beer after a hard day at work, meet new people in the area or take the opportunity to talk to a City Council member, you can also make it a family affair.

Julie Rand, a West End resident, decided to do just that. Rand took her daughter, Allison, and her mother, and later met up with her husband after he got out of work. "The weather is great and we can walk right down the street. My daughter told me she loved the appetizers," she said. Rand even joked about bringing her dogs to the next event because of the outdoor, beach-like feel to the venue. Palm trees and white modern sofas decorated the L-shaped rooftop.

According to Hoffmann, a fountain is under constructed in the middle of the square, which she hopes will add even more activity to the center. Children will be allowed to run through the fountain.

Even those not from the area enjoyed the festivities on Friday night. Marylou Makepeace from Colorado was visiting family for the week and found that the timing of the event was perfect for her trip. "It's a great venue. Absolutely wonderful," she said. Makepeace danced with her grandson, Logan, 3, to the beach-style sounds of a Baltimore band called Sons of Pirate.

Others, like Tom Hall, a Rockville resident, enjoyed his time so much that he hoped the deck parties would happen more frequently. Hall said, "It's a shame it's not every Friday."

Rockville's Senior Citizens Commission chair, Ciriaco Gonzalez, and his wife Norma Gonzalez, said, "So far so good" of the Friday festivities. They said they were not sure on whether or not they would attend the monthly parties every time but loved the idea of uniting the community.

Gordon Biersch, Austin Grill and La Tasca will provide food and beverages for the parties. However, even though the food and beverages will remain relatively the same, the music will change. In June, Leaving, Texas, a band with a "twang-rock" sound and a touch of country will perform followed by Patty Reese, a pop, blues, folk and rock musician, in August. In September, Billy Coulter will shake things up with rock-and-roll music.

Photo by George Smith