By Emily Reed / Special to the Reporter

VINCENT – As the trend of painting rocks and hiding them in public places throughout various towns in Alabama continues to grow, a group in Vincent hopes to use the concept to make lasting friendships.

Kathy Copeland, along with several of her relatives from Florida, and those at the Vincent Library are hosting a rock painting and ice cream sundae party on July 19 at 2 p.m. at the Information Center in Vincent located at 42735 Highway 25.

“This event is a little different in that the hope is that some of the kids that attend can make a new friend from another state through the experience, and perhaps develop a pen pal friendship,” Copeland said. “Social media has taken the fun of getting mail in your mailbox away from this generation.”

Copeland said it was a family member recently visiting Alabama from Florida that found a painted rock, and helped get the idea for the event started.

“When we realized this was a growing trend around Vincent, Harpersville, and Chelsea, I called Sandra at the Vincent Library to see if she was interested in working together to do a rock painting party,” Copeland said. “She said she was interested and filled me in on how many libraries and church groups are painting rocks. We want to use this event to create an opportunity for others to make new friends and perhaps pen pals.”

Copeland said supplies such as rocks, paint, and paintbrushes will be provided for those interested in attending the event.

“Everyone can paint rocks and while the rocks are drying, we will have an ice cream party,” Copeland said. “After everyone eats we can then go hide the rocks downtown at the post office, churches, City Hall, Dollar General, etc. This is a chance for people that have found rocks to be able to replace the ones they have found.”

Copeland said the event is not geared just for kids, but is also meant to include adults as well.

“There will be adults at the event,” Copeland said. “Adults are attracted to the idea because it is all about smiles. This is back to the basics in painting rocks for the purpose of making people smile with ice cream on a hot summer day. It doesn’t get much better.”