Whether it was meeting new friends, starting classes, or sliding down water slides on campus during the warm weather, the first week was action packed for PC students.

Before cheering on the Blue Hose in sports and dancing the night away at Bailey Stadium over the weekend, students, faculty and staff got a taste of Clinton during PC Party on the Square.

The block party was held around the city’s downtown square Thursday night. Local vendors offered everything from food to swag. Later in the evening, guests enjoyed music from Mighty McFly.

PC President Bob Staton and first lady Phyllis Staton were at the event to welcome students, along with local representatives and Clinton Mayor Bob McLean.

Allstate Insurance agent Jeff Smith, who is also a Main Street Clinton board member, said it’s important students know members of the community are here for them.

“We’re trying to do more events to incorporate the college so that we can interact together,” Smith said. “I think it’s important in a small town like this to have that integration between a college and the town.”

Smith said he and his wife, Kim, also like to support events on campus including games and concerts.

“Neither one of us are from Clinton. We met here in college, and then we moved here to live about eight years later,” he added. “So we’ve been here 17 years. I think we both felt the same way when we arrived on campus. We felt like we were home when we got to PC, and the town has that same feeling. So that’s why we want to be representatives of both.”

PC freshman Eliza Ackerman, of Sumter, shared a similar sentiment.

“My mom went to PC, and she loved it,” Ackerman said, “and as soon as I got on campus, it just kind of felt like home.”

Ackerman is looking forward to meeting new people, getting acclimated and learning the college during her freshman year. Week of Welcome events like PC Party on the Square gave her a head start.

“I think it’s a really good idea,” she said. “The whole community is coming together and showing students, especially incoming freshmen, what Clinton has to offer.”

For junior William Lowry, who enjoyed wings from AM to PM Bar & Grill while catching up with classmates, the block party was a chance for him to learn something new.

“I like being a part of the Clinton community and finding out about those new spots that I might not know are around town,” he said.