It’s sunny and warm. Classes are soon over, and the smell of freedom resonates for many seniors.
But for people like Alison Smith, a senior in chemical engineering, there is one last celebration that must take place: the Hillsborough Hike. This biannual celebration for seniors is the perfect end to their four years at NCSU, Smith said.
“It’ll be a fun time to go out with all my friends and enjoy these past four years,” she said.
Jason Isaacs, a senior in political science, said he looks forward to seeing all his friends too.
“I’m looking forward to grilling out all day and then going to the bars later that night,” Isaacs said. “I like to start at Player’s Retreat and make my way to Pantana Bob’s or East Village to finish up, but my favorite place to be is Porter’s.”
For Kelly Gilliam, a senior in animal science, this will be her first year at the Hike, aside from picking people up in years past.
“I’m looking forward to celebrating the end of the year with all of my friends who are graduating this semester and those who aren’t,” Gilliam said. “Even though many of us will still be in Raleigh, we all need the Hike to kind of give us that one last hurrah feeling before finals.”
The bars on Hillsborough Street are working hard in preparation for this year’s Hike, just like these eager students, but to accommodate the masses.
“We ordered a lot more beer than usual, and a lot more people will be on staff,” Eric Rieger, manager of The Farmhouse said. “We will probably sell in a few different locations and have some extra bouncers on the deck.”
Smith said she thinks the bars do a good job accommodating people.
“The later the night gets, the more crowded places get and the longer the wait,” she said. “Most bars make special allowances for that night with more alcohol and staff.”
Gilliam said she thinks certain bars may have problems because of their small size and the large amount of people on the Hike.
“Just another reason why Hillsborough Street needs to have more bars,” Gilliam said.
According to Alan Lovette, the owner of Melvin’s, businesses can take advantage of the Hike.
“We have taken part in the Hike the past couple of years, and we got our beer permit just for the Hike,” Lovette said. “We’re going to expand our horizons for the Hike, but also this summer, until 3 a.m.”
Melvin’s is opening its bar officially Friday night called 5 o’clock, where Bowls! used to be, so now people can order beer and mixed drinks, Lovette said.
“We’re ready and expecting between 2,500 – 3,000 people,” he said. “We’ll be serving food and drinks, and we hope that we can help the street by being open for the Hike.”
The Farmhouse, like Melvin’s, expects to see a big turnout starting around 7 to 8 p.m. and being at full capacity until about 2 a.m.
“We did a certain amount of business last year, and we are hoping to go double that this year,” Rieger said. “Now that we have an official bar, and we missed out on the Hike in the fall, I’m assuming that this spring will be a lot better.”
Smith said she likes the fact that the bars and restaurants are really receptive to everyone.
“It’s so fun that people can just walk up and down Hillsborough with all their friends and enjoy good times with good friends before exams and graduation,” she said.
