Even in early summer the heat of the long North Carolina days can be exhausting; while the cool breezes and clear skies of the summer nights are invigorating. Even the city seems to react to the change in temperature. At noon on a summer day, downtown Fayetteville is relaxed and content but on the evening of a 4th Friday it is vibrant and pulsating with activity. The shops and galleries stay open late and offer the community a family-friendly place to experience the best the city has to offer.

For families with children, the place to go is Fascinate-U. Located at 116 Green St., this children-focused museum is uniquely interactive. Children can roam around the miniature city and learn through their play. On June 27, for 4th Friday, the museum will remain open late and admission is free. From 7 to 9 p.m. the museum also offers a free craft for kids. Using stickers, construction paper, ribbons and a healthy dose of creativity, kids will create a patriotic paper lantern. For more information visit http://www.fascinate-u.com.

One of the best places in town to enjoy art on any day is The Arts Council. The gallery on 301 Hay Street offers various exhibits throughout the year. Over the course of the year, it will cradle works of many different artists and styles. The upcoming exhibit scheduled to open on 4th Friday is a great example of the huge variety of art and artists. The exhibit entitled “Urban Art: Expressions of an Environment” is an exploration of the modern urban environment. Most people think of urban art as simply graffiti, but this exhibit is far more. There will be spray paint, but through that medium both local and national artists explore and comment on the truths in modern cities. The gallery is open from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. for 4th Friday celebrations. For more information, visit www.theartscouncil.com.

History is also on display in Downtown Fayetteville at the Hay Street roundabout. The Market House is the center of downtown, a symbol. It holds the city’s history in both a literal and figurative sense. Within the Market House, there is a permanent exhibit called The View from the Square. This exhibit tells the history of Fayetteville in a building that witnessed it. Additionally, in the upstairs of the Market House is a rotating exhibit. This month it is Lafayette and it is open on Friday from 6 to 10 p.m.

This 4th Friday will also feature an exciting additional event. The theme is pirates. All throughout 4th Friday participants are encouraged to come out in their best pirate costumes and join the Downtown Alliance and downtown businesses for a rousing scavenger hunt and pirate-costume contest. Winners of the hunt and costume contest will both receive a treasure chest of downtown prizes. Clue sheets are available at 222 Hay St. from 6 to 9 p.m., and judging takes place at 7 p.m. For added entertainment, the Street Ratz Breakdance Crew will perform in front of 222 Hay St. and Fire/Trance Fusion Arts will perform in front of the Capitol Building. For more information, visit www.faydta.org.

The Cumberland County Library & Public Information System will host a Local Authors Showcase featuring writers from the Sandhills this 4th Friday from 7-9 p.m. in the Pate Room. The event is sponsored by Friends of the Library. Refreshments will be served. Visit www.cumberland.lib.nc.usto find out more.

To learn more about 4th Friday as a whole, visit www.theartscouncil.com.