Farm of the Week:

Sara’s FreshMarket

WSouth Carolina is the largest peach producer in the South, growing over 67,000 TONS of the tasty summer fruit (2022). I’ve found it difficult to find good peaches at the grocery store – most of their peaches come from California. South Carolina peaches are the tastiest by far, and the best peaches are coming in right now. Head to Sara’s Fresh Market Stands for hand-picked, tree-ripened fruit. Look for peaches that have a deep yellow color (the pink blush does not indicate ripeness) and that give slightly when gently squeezed. Sara’s Fresh Market is a division of Titan Farms, the largest peach producer in South Carolina. They sell homemade ice cream, peach bread, peach salsa and peach fritters along with peaches and fresh produce! Open 7 days a week with three locations. More here.

Dear Evan Hansen

Wednesday June 28 – Sunday July 2

DEAR EVAN HANSEN has struck a remarkable chord with audiences and critics everywhere, including The Washington Post who says DEAR EVAN HANSEN is “Theatrical magic. One of the most remarkable shows in musical theatre history.” The New York Times calls it “a breathtaking knockout of a musical.” And NBC Nightly News declares the musical “an anthem resonating on Broadway and beyond. Tickets here.

Tombo Grille – Try Their New Menu!

Tombo Grille’s new menu consists of fresh, seasonal dishes as well as twists on classic favorites. Bringing back Chicken Parmesan and Seared Ahi Tuna small bite! Including new southern style dishes such as our fried green tomatoes and rotating assortment of deviled eggs. Changing seasons means changing drinks! Come check out some of our new cocktails!  Call (803) 782-9665 or reserve a table here.

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Independence Day Celebration, Concert and Fireworks

Friday June 30

Location:  Icehouse Amphitheater, Lexington. Join the Town of Lexington for an Independence Day Celebration at Icehouse Amphitheater! The 246th Army Band will play a concert beginning at 7pm and there will be fireworks following the show. FREE. More here.

Community Movie Night

Friday June 30

Location: JC’s Outdoors, Gilbert. Bring your lawn chairs and blankets and enjoy the movie “Jungle Cruise”. FREE. Food trucks onsite. Opens at 6:30, movie begins at dusk. More here.

Patriot Paw Parade

Saturday July 1

Location: 150 Laurens St SW, Aiken. Gather at 9:45am for parade that begins at 10am. Bring your best dressed doggie (patriotism theme) – prize for the best! More here.

Kids 4th of July Parade

Saturday July 1

Location: Downtown Camden.  Decorate your bicycles, scooters, and wagons and wear those patriotic colors when you join us for pre-parade activities and a short program in front of Camden City Hall at 10:00 am. The parade starts at 10:30 am. This is a free event. Free snow cones will be available to all participants following the parade, courtesy of the Camden Fire Department. Details on Facebook. 

Boat Parade on Lake Murray

Saturday July 1

Location: Lake Murray. Enjoy the patriotic display as locals & visitors decorate their boats in ways that will leave you amazed! Viewable from the park sites at the Lake Murray Dam after 12:30 PM or by boat! This year’s theme is “Red, White, Blue and You”. More here.

Rockin’ Red, White and Blue Celebration

Saturday July 1

Location:  Doko Meadows Park, Blythewood. Bring your own lawn chairs (no coolers) and enjoy music, games, giveaways, food trucks, vendors and more. 4pm. More on Facebook.

Independence Day Fireworks,  Celebration and Concert

Saturday July 1

Location: Hilton Field, Fort Jackson, Columbia. Gates open at 4 p.m. Enjoy an exciting variety of food trucks and children’s carnival rides, live music, beer tents and of course, fireworks. Practice your Git Up dance because Blanco Brown is our headlining performer. This event is free to enter and open to the public. More here.

Fireworks at Lake Murray

Saturday July 1

Location: Spence Island and Dreher Island, Lake Murray. Fireworks will launch at dark (roughly 9:30 PM) from two lake locations. Fireworks do not launch from the park sites at the dam. The best viewing location is from a boat or from Dreher Island State Park. More here.

246th Army Band

Saturday June 24

Location: NoMa Warehouse, Columbia. Shop 20+ local vendors from the LBGTQ+ community and the full time vendors at NoMa Warehouse. Enjoy great shopping, good food, fun drinks, and a good time! More here.

Negro League Weekend with Fireworks

Saturday June 24

Location: Segra Park, Columbia. Columbia Fireflies vs. Fredericksburg. Celebrate the league that helped make baseball a game everyone can play. After game fireworks. Tickets here.

Springdale Summerfest and Golf Cart Parade

Sunday and Monday July 2-3

Location: Sumter Opera House (Sunday) and Newberry Opera House (Monday). Free concert featuring the 246th Army Band from McIntire Joint National Guard Air Base.  They utilize the full range of their members’ musicianship to play everything from ceremonial concert music and marches to rock, jazz, pop, big band, and brass band repertoire. Details (Newberry). Details (Sumter)

Irmo Independence Day Laser Show

Monday July 3

Location: Irmo Community Park. Gates open at 7pm and laser show starts at 9pm. FREE HOT DOGS! Presented by the Town of Irmo and Capital Building Services. Details on Facebook.

Pajamarama Storytime

Monday July 3

Location: Richland Library Ballentine. Wear your pajamas and snuggle up for bedtime stories and songs. 6pm. More here.

Independence Day Celebration

Monday July 3

Location: Segra Park, Columbia. Watch the Fireflies game and stay for fantastic fireworks display. Tickets here.

Lexington County Peach Festival

Tuesday July 4

Location: Gilbert Community Park, Gilbert. Parade, car show, festival food, live music, arts and crafts, pageants, fireworks, fresh peaches and more. Details here.

Fireworks with the Phil

Tuesday July 4

Location: Segra Park, Columbia. The SC Philharmonic performs a concert followed by fireworks. 8pm. Tickets here.

Toucan Tuesday

Tuesdays until August 8

Location: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Columbia. Bring two cans of non-perishable food for Harvest Hope Food Bank and pay two-for-one admission during Toucan Tuesdays every Tuesday through August 8th. Info here.

New Restaurants and New Biz

Banh Mi Boys Location: 635 Whaley St., Columbia. Vietnamese “po boys” – a sandwich shop with a twist. Now open. Details here.

Elizabeth’s Speisehaus Location: 1587-A Main St. Little Mountain. Authentic German cuisine. Hours vary. Open now. See Facebook for particulars. 

Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant Location: 945 Sabal St. (BullStreet District) Columbia. Signature brews and a big food menu. Now open. More here.

Ivy House Lexington Location: 4211 Augusta Road. 65 beautifully staged booths filled with fun home decor, art, clothing, jewelry, gifts furniture and more. Now open. Info on Facebook. 

Bierkeller Columbia Location: 600 Canal St. Unit 1009 Columbia. Bierkeller brews exclusively German styles. Columbia’s original riverfront Biergarten and restaurant. Projected opening date is Saturday July 29. More here.

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