Lake Murray
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JANUARY-DECEMBER COLUMBIA
$1.00 admission to the South Carolina State Museum the first Sunday of each month. Contact: South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. 898-4321. Weekends 898-4978.
JANUARY COLUMBIA
BOAT SHOW. See, even purchase, the latest in boats, personal watercraft, marine related equipment and interests at South Carolina's oldest and most exciting boat show. Contact: Miriam Atria, PO Box 1783, Irmo, South Carolina, 29063. Phone: (803) 781-2105 or toll free (866) SC Jewel.
MARCH LAKE MURRAY
LAKE MURRAY POWER SQUADRON'S BOATING COURSE. Contact Kathy Wilson at 957-8508 for more information.
MARCH COLUMBIA PALMETTO
SPORTSMAN CLASSIC. Fishing, hunting and outdoor equipment for show and sale by 250 exhibitors. Seminars on hunting, fishing and wildlife, and related exhibits held throughout this three-day show. Contact: Mary Pugh, PO Box 167, Columbia, South Carolina, 29202. Phone 734-4008.
MARCH COLUMBIA
ST PATRICK'S DAY FESTIVAL. The capital city turns green with a parade, children's entertainment and rides, arts and crafts, bands and lots of food and spirits. Contact: 5-Points Merchants Assn. Phone: 782-7947.
MARCH COLUMBIA
KIDS DAY COLUMBIA. A festival just for kids and their parents features entertainment, food, fun and games at Finlay Park. Contact: Columbia Action Council, 722 Blanding Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. Phone: (803) 343-8750.
MARCH CHAPIN
SPRING MADNESS CRAFT SHOW. Featuring many exhibitors displaying their crafts at Crooked Creek Park, 1098 Old Lexington Hwy, Chapin. Contact: Terry Stewart at 945-6181.
APRIL LAKE MURRAY
LAKE MURRAY POKER RUN. A fundraiser card game where boaters visit 5 out of 10 designated marinas and landings on Lake Murray from 9am-3pm. Contact The Lake Murray News, PO Box 175, Irmo, South Carolina 29063. Phone: 772-5584.
APRIL NEWBERRY
NEWBERRY COUNTY AGRIFEST. Newberry County's agriculture industry is honored with a parade, entertainment, arts and crafts, games, displays, street dance and more. Always the 4th Saturday of April. Contact: George Burk 276-8747.
APRIL LEXINGTON
LEXINGTON EASTER EXTRAVAGANZA. Featuring egg hunts and entertainment at Virginia Hylton Park. Be sure to bring your Easter Basket and a canned good. Contanct: Stephanie Turbeville, Lexington Couny Recreation and Aging Commission, 363 South Lake Drive, Lexington, South Carolina. Phone: 957-7828.
APRIL COLUMBIA
MIDLANDS PLANT & FLOWER SHOW. Produced by the Department of Agriculture and held at the Columbia State Farmers Market, this four-day event will feature exhibitors from across the state. The public can purchase all types of flowers, plants, garden supplies, outdoor furniture and specialty items. Contact: Dick Felder, Department of Agriculture, PO Box 11280, Columbia, South Carolina 29211. Phone: (803) 734-2210.
APRIL COLUMBIA
3 RIVERS MUSIC FESTIVAL. In historic and revitalized vista of downtown Columbia. Several stages offering a variety of artists. Contact: Virgina Bedford. Phone: 401-8990.
MAY COLUMBIA
RIVERFEST/RIVERRUN. Sponsored in conjunction with the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department, this event along the Congaree River features the Mayors' 5k Road Race, riverwalk, arts, music and a great variety of food. Contact: Christine Porter, Epilepsy Association of the Midlands, 815 Elmwood Ave, Room 307, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. Phone: (803) 733-6210.
MAY BATESBURG-LEESVILLE
SOUTH CAROLINA POULTRY FESTIVAL. A salute to the poultry industry featuring parade, a street dance, contests, exhibits, entertainment, arts, and crafts. Contact: Brent Shealy, PO Box 349, Batesburg-Leesville, South Carolina 29006. Phone: (803) 532-4339.
MAY SALUDA
TIMBER FESTIVAL. Parade, festival events and exposition relating to the timber industry and its related products. Saluda recreation Complex, HWY 178, Saluda, South Carolina 29138. Contact: Dennis Wall, Phone: 637-6813
MAY COLUMBIA
NATIONAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION MONTH. Activities dedicated to the awareness of historic preservation in the Greater Columbia area. Walking tours, lectures and other programs including Historic Homes Tour of Lower Richland County. Contact: Historic Columbia Foundation, 1601 Richland Street, Columbia, South Carolina. Phone: (803) 252-1770.
JUNE-AUGUST COLUMBIA
SUMMER CONCERT SERIES. Live entertainment comes to Finlay Park every Saturday evening. Performances begin at 7pm and are free to the public. Contact: Columbia Action Council, 722 Blanding Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. Phone: (803) 343-8750.
JUNE WHITMIRE
PARTY IN THE PINES. Nestled in the shade of Sumter National Forest, Whitmire hosts one of SC's most unique festivals featuring a beauty pageant, road race, parade, arts and crafts, food, carnival rides and street dance. Contact: Sue Hollongsworth, Whitmire Jaycees, PO Box 173, Whitmire, South Carolina 29178. Phone: (803) 794-3797.
JULY COLUMBIA
CAROLINA CELEBRATION OF LIBERTY. Patriotic pageantry featuring the First Baptist Church of Columbia's Orchestra and Choir, drama, all brass band and also the 282 Army Band and Color Gaurds in 'Salute to Veterns in Armed Services' at the First Baptist Church, 360 Hampton Street, Columbia, South Carolina. Phone:343-8550.
JULY LAKE MURRAY
JULY 4TH CELEBRATION. It's always a Saturday event when Lake Murray shows its patriotic spirit. Over 100 boats of all types decorated in red, white and blue, parade around the lake. A spectacular fireworks display end the evening. Contact: Lake Murray Tourism and Recreation, PO Box 1783, Irmo, South Carolina 29063. Phone: (803) 781-5940 or (866) SC JEWEL.
JULY GILBERT
LEXINGTON COUNTY PEACH FESTIVAL. Parade, entertainment, arts and crafts, beauty contest, food, peaches, fireworks display and much more. Contact: Raymond Boozer, PO Box 124, Gilbert, South Carolina 29054. Phone: (803) 892-2473.
JULY COLUMBIA
CAROLINA CELEBRATION OF LIBERTY. Patriotic pageantry on the steps of the SC State House featuring the Columbia Community Band, the Governor's All Star Brass Band, and the First Baptist Church Choir. Contact: Steve Phillips, First Baptist Church, 1360 Hampton Street, Columbia, South Carolina. Phone: (803) 256-4251.
JULY-SEPTEMBER WEST COLUMBIA
MAJOR SOFTBALL TOURNAMENTS. Teams from all across the United States will cpmpete in the USSSA Youth Slow & Fast Pitch, USSSA 10 & Under Slow Pitch World Tournament, USSSA Mens D State, USSSA Women's World Series and A World, USSSA 35 and Over World Tournament, USSSA Mixed Adult World Tournament and many other Tournaments at the Pine Grove Sports Complex in West Columbia. Contact: Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission, 701 Old Barnwell Rd. West Columbia, South Carolina 29170. Phone: 356-4000.
AUGUST COLUMBIA
LITTLE MOUNTAIN REUNION. South Carolina's oldest folk festival features a road race, parade, arts and crafts, traditional "speakings", class and family reunions, barbecue, street dance, car show and children's rides. Contact: Bobbie Glasgow. Phone: 345-5413.
AUGUST PELION
PELION PEANUT PARTY. Peanuts in every fashion, road race, bicycle race, beauty pageants, parade, arts, crafts, carnival and free entertainment. Contact: Charlie Haggard, Phone: 345-5413.
AUGUST SALUDA
SALUDA COUNTY TRUCK AND TRACTOR PULL. This popular annual sporting event features competitions between amateur and professional drivers of the southeast held at the Saluda Recreation Complex. Contact: Pat Rodgers, 409 N. Main Street, Saluda, South Carolina 29138. Phone: (864) 445-2104.
AUGUST SALUDA
SALUDA PULL-IT FESTIVAL. Parade and festival featuring arts, crafts, food, kiddie rides, entertainment and street dance held on Courthouse Square, Main Street, Saluda, South Carolina 29138. Contact: Saluda County Chamber of Commerce, 864-445-4100.
AUGUST WARD
CLINTON WARD FALL FESTIVAL. The town of Ward in Saluda County will have a parade, arts, crafts, children's games and lots of country music and entertainment. Contact: Town Hall, Rt. 1, Box 233, Ward, South Carolina 29166. Phone: (803) 685-5832.
SEPTEMBER CHAPIN
CHAPIN LABOR DAY FESTIVAL. Parade, beauty pageants, arts, crafts, carnival rides, live entertainment and kiddie rides to celebrate Labor Day. Contact: Town of Chapin, PO Box 183, Chapin, South Carolina 29036. Phone: (803) 345-2444 or 345-1100.
SEPTEMBER LEXINGTON
LEXINGTON FUN FEST. Street dance, arts, and crafts, family entertainment and other activities. Contact: Ben Livingston, 359-3454.
SEPTEMBER COLUMBIA
JUBILEE: FESTIVAL OF HERITAGE. A celebration of African-American culture with arts, crafts, storytelling, entertainment, and exhibits at the Mann-Simons Cottage. Contact: Historic Columbia Foundation, 1601 Richland Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. (803) 252-7742.
SEPTEMBER LAKE MURRAY
LAKE MURRAY POWER SQUADRON'S BOATING COURSE. Call Kathy Wilson (803) 957-8508.
SEPTEMBER COLUMBIA
GREEK FESTIVAL WEEKEND. Enjoy live entertainment while sampling homemade Greek cuisine at this outdoors-festival event. Contact: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, corner of Sumter & Calhoun Streets, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. Phone: (803) 252-6758.
SEPTEMBER PINE RIDGE/S. CONGAREE
CONGAREE WESTERN WEEKEND. Cowboys, rodeos, street dances, live country music, carnival, parade, and barbecue cook-off. Contact: H.R. Williams, 1433 Pine Street, West Columbia, South Carolina 29172. Phone: (803) 755-2512.
SEPTEMBER IRMO
OKRA STRUT. Family oriented arts and crafts festival featuring live bands and entertainment, food, parade, street dance, and "DamRun" road race. Contact: Jim Twitty, Town of Irmo, PO Box 406, Irmo, South Carolina 29063. Phone: (803) 781-7050.
OCTOBER RIDGE SPRING
RIDGE SPRING HARVEST FESTIVAL. All day festival featuring parade, shag contest, food, kiddie rides, entertainment arts, and crafts. Contact: Florence Householder, Town Hall, Ridge Spring, South Carolina 29129. Phone: (803) 685-5511.
OCTOBER COLUMBIA
SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR. Midway rides, agricultural, home and art displays, live concerts nightly, food and special attractions. Contact: Gary Goodman, South Carolina State Fair, PO Box 393, Columbia, South Carolina 29202. Phone: (803) 799-3387.
OCTOBER GASTON
GASTON COLLARD FESTIVAL. Granny pageant, crafts, parade, carnival, entertainment and collards, of course! Contact: Jennifer Poole, Gaston Town Hall, Carlisle Street, Gaston, South Carolina 29053. Phone: (803) 796-7725.
OCTOBER
GHOST TOURS. October 29-31. Join us for a Spooktacular evening of amazing tales of ghosts and unexplained phenomena in Columbia's historic downtown! We will tour by trolley several sites rumored to be haunted and see if we can discover the proof for ourselves! Call Melissa Spotts at 898-4933 for details.
NOVEMBER COLUMBIA
GOVERNOR'S CAROLIGHTING. Choirs, bands, bellringers and the official lighting of the state tree inaugurate the Christmas season. Contact: Hunter Rentz, 794-7360.
NOVEMBER COLUMBIA
VISTA LIGHTS CELEBRATION. Take a candlelight tour through Congaree Vista Merchant's shops where you can enjoy refreshments and live musical entertainment. Contact: Bob Medlock, Phone: 738-1499.
NOVEMBER SALUDA
SALUDA COUNTY FARM-CITY WEEK. A week of events featuring rural and urban food and entertainment. Contact: Clemson Extension Service, 201 East Church Street, Saluda, South Carolina 29138. Phone: (864) 445-8117.
NOVEMBER COLUMBIA
VETERAN'S DAY PARADE. This parade gives Columbians the opportunity to honor veterans as they march up Main Street from Laurel Street to the State House. Contact: Columbia Action Council, 722 Blanding Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. Phone: (083) 343-8750.
NOVEMBER COLUMBIA
SOUTH CAROLINA CELEBRATION OF BLUES AND JAZZ. Music, dancing and food at the State Museum as some of South Carolina's blues and jazz musicians provide an evening of entertainment. Contact: Melissa Spotts, Phone: 898-4933.
NOVEMBER COLUMBIA
FESTIVAL OF TREES. View over 200 Christmas Trees at the State Museum decorated by businesses and individuals. Public may bid on the trees and wreaths to be auctioned. Contact Sarah Patrick, Palmetto Health Foundation, 434-7275.
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER COLUMBIA
LIGHTS BEFORE CHRISTMAS AT RIVERBANKS ZOO. Over a million lights transform the zoo into a winter wonderland from 5:30 to 8:30pm beginning the day after Thanksgiving. Contact: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, PO Box 1060, Columbia, South Carolina 29202. Phone: 779-8717.
DECEMBER LEXINGTON
CHRISTMAS SAMPLER AND THE PEDDLER. Local and regional artists show seasonal handcrafts for purchase. Contact: Karla Childers, Phone 359-9961.
DECEMBER IRMO/LAKE
MURRAY HISTORIC CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE. Survivor of the Civil War, the Lorick Plantation House is now home to the Lake Murray Country Visitors Center. Local Garden Clubs turn the antebellum home into Christmas as it would have been in 1840. Contact: Miriam Atria, Capital City/Lake Murray Country, PO Box 1783, Irmo, South Carolina 29063/Phone: (803) 781-5940 or 866 SC JEWEL.
DECEMBER COLUMBIA
CAROLINA CARILLON CHRISTMAS PARADE. Christmas season in the capital city is welcomed with bands, floats, community groups, beauty queens, and of course, Santa Claus. Contact:312-0006.
DECEMBER LEXINGTON
CHRISTMAS PARADE. Christmas season is welcomed in the town of Lexington with this afternoon parade featuring bands, floats, beauty queens and more. Contact: Tripp Leonard, 456 Windy Road, Gilbert, South Carolina 29054. Phone: 359-2504.
DECEMBER COLUMBIA
CHRISTMAS TRADITIONS. Decorations, costumes, displays and other Yuletide traditions from the 1700's all together at the Cayce Historical Museum, 1800 Twelfth Street, Cayce, South Carolina 29033. Phone: (803) 796-9020.
DECEMBER COLUMBIA
CHRISTMAS CANDLELIGHT TOURS. Evening tours of historic homes and mansions in Columbia. Contact: Historic Columbia Foundation, 1601 Richland Street, Columbia, South Carolina 29201. Phone: (803) 252-1770.
DECEMBER COLUMBIA
"THE NUTCRACKER." A Christmas Tradition-the Columbia City Ballet presents several performances at the Roger Center of the Arts in Columbia. Contact: 777-5112.
DECEMBER COLUMBIA
WOW '02 NEW YEAR'S EVE CELEBRATION. Columbia's official New Year's Celebration features live entertainment, street performers, unlimited children's rides and a spectacular fireworks show in the heart of downtown. December 31. Contact: Columbia Action Council, 343-8750
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