Lettuce talk about farmers markets 🥬

Farmers markets in Columbia

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Soda City Market happens year-round, no matter the weather. | Photo via @roadtripsandrollercoasters

Get ready to fill up your reusable shopping bags with fruits and veggies, Soda City.

In the spirit of supporting all things local, we’ve rounded up 10 farmers markets in the Columbia area where you’ll find fresh food, live music, and local vendors.

SC State Farmers Market | Daily, year-round | 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Features: Fresh, seasonal produce and the Market Restaurant
Parking: Free parking in the Market Center lot
Space: Indoors and outdoors

Soda City Market | Saturdays, year-round | 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Features: 150 producer vendors per week, including exotic fruits, antiques, and lots of dogs
Parking: Free street parking
Space: Outdoors

Meeting-Street-Artisan-Market-Vendors133 — Check out the Meeting Street Artisan Market, showcasing local vendors and creators. | Photo via Meeting Street Artisan Market

Meeting Street Artisan Market | Saturdays, year-round | 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Features: Original crafts from local makers, produce, and prepared food vendors
Parking: Free parking in the pavilion lot
Space: Covered outdoors

Note: The Meeting Street Artisan Market hosts night markets on the second Thursday of every month from 4-8 p.m.

Cayce Farmer’s Market | Daily, year-round | Hours vary

Features: Fresh produce and flowers
Parking: Free parking in the Farmer’s Market lot
Space: Indoor

Features: Local artists, fresh produce, and baked goods
Parking: Free parking in the Icehouse Amphitheater lot
Space: Covered outdoors

Click the link below for a map and six more markets.

FIND MORE FARMERS MARKETS

How much revenue do farmers markets and on-farm stores bring in across the US?

A. $1.6 million
B. $10.6 million
C. $1.9 billion
D. $2.9 billion

ANSWER HERE

Click here to have your event featured.

Tuesday, March 7

USC Baseball vs. The Citadel Bulldogs Baseball | Tuesday, March 7 | 7 p.m. | Founders Park, 431 Williams St., Columbia | $12-$15 | Root root root for the Gamecocks as they take on The Citadel Bulldogs.
Old Forester Birthday Bourbon Dinner at Smoked | Tuesday, March 7 | 6-9 p.m. | Smoked, 1643 Main St, Columbia | $350 | This is a one-of-a-kind evening featuring four limited-release bottles of bourbon and a five-course dinner.
PRE-RELEASE: Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game | Tuesday, March 7 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Nickelodeon Theatre, 1607 Main St., Columbia | $20 | Both the Bragg Brothers and Roger Sharpe will be in attendance and we will be hosting a question and answer session after the film at Bang Back.

Thursday, March 9

Meeting Street Night Artisan Market | Thursday, March 9 | 4-8 p.m. | Interactive Art Park, 425 Meeting St., West Columbia | Free | The market includes vendors selling original art, crafts, foods, and produce.
Film Screening and Talkback: An Act of Worship | Thursday, March 9 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St., Columbia | Free with admission | Visit during extended hours at the CMA and enjoy a screening inspired by “Reverent Ornament: Art from the Islamic World,” followed by a panel featuring local Muslim activists and artists.*

Friday, March 10

Headshot Day at Irmo Chamber | Friday, March 10 | 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m. | Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce, 1235 Columbia Ave., Irmo | $150 | At the end of your session, you will see your headshots instantly and select your favorite image to be retouched and delivered to you in high resolution.
Carolina Classic Home & Garden Show | Friday, Mar. 10-Sunday, March 12 | Times vary | SC State Fair Grounds, 1200 Rosewood Dr., Columbia | Parking is $5, admission is free |Browse over 100 exhibitors, including a marketplace of vendors, a beer garden, live entertainment, educational seminars, and more.
Annual Doko Ribfest | Friday, March 10 | 6-10 p.m. | Doko Meadows Park, 171 Langford Rd., Blythewood | $2-$12 | Enjoy food trucks, specialty foods, sweets, and activities.

Saturday, March 11

Nature Discovery Walk at Congaree National Park | Saturday, March 11 | Times vary | Free | Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Rd., Hopkins | Join this guided hike on the park’s boardwalk trail to learn about the flora and fauna that calls Congaree National Park home.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

How Wake Forest can prep your high school student for college ✏️

If your child is intrigued by a certain subject, like medicine, and would like to explore it in-depth before college, here is their chance. | Photo provided by Wake Forest University

Are there subjects your high school student is considering studying in college, but they want to know more about it first? Here’s their chance to do so. Wake Forest University’s Online Immersion Program, designed for high schoolers ages 13+, was created for this exact purpose. Through online coursework led by Wake Forest University professors, it covers exciting topics, including:

Bioscience
Business
Criminal Law
Investing
Medicine
Psychology
And more*

STUDY WITH WAKE FOREST THIS SUMMER

Weather

81º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain ☀️

Sports

USC’s baseball team defeated Clemson, 7-1, Sunday afternoon at Founders Park, winning the weekend series over the Tigers during a sellout game. The Gamecock’s record is currently 11-1 as they take on The Citadel tonight at 7 p.m. in Founders Park.

Biz

Following the $2 billion investment from Scout Motors, The State listed seven of the biggest investments (within the last six years) that have created jobs in Richland County. The list includes BlueCross BlueShield of SC, Mark Anthony Brewing, and more. Read through the full list. 💰
Zach Steinhauser, Wingard’s Market Wildlife Specialist, announced The Carolina Safari Company. The new business will take guests on guided tours across southeastern landscapes and showcase wildlife. Join The Carolina Safari Co. on planned expeditions that range from rare birdwatching to up-close encounters and paddling trips.

Community

The SC State Museum is hosting an Accessibility Morning this Saturday, March 11 from 9-11 a.m. Guests who are neurodiverse, autistic, or have other disabilities can experience the museum’s exhibitions at their own pace and enjoy sensory-friendly activities. General admission is free.

Eat

Taco-bout tasty tacos. Tacos Nayarit and Cantina 76 are among the best taco shops in SC. The State pulled together data from Yelp to compile a list of restaurants serving tasty tacos. Read through the lineup here. 🌮

Number

106. That’s the age of Soda Citizen Lecie Worthy after celebrating her birthday over the weekend. Her family made custom t-shirts and 106 chicken breasts + 106 fish entrees to celebrate the milestone. Happy birthday, Lecie! 🎉 (WLTX)

Health

Looking to put your best foot forward during your workout? Consider trying barefoot training. MUSC Health Athletic Trainer Amber Andrews, ATC, explains the benefits of training without shoes.*

Wellness

Our go-to product to relieve tension and decrease under eye puffiness: an ice roller. Not to mention, it’s the perfect way to cool off your face after an intense workout or morning run. These ice globes are also a great skincare addition to help soothe and depuff. *

Content marked with an * is brought to you by our advertising partners and helps make this newsletter free.

Local companies for home renovations 🏡

What local companies do you use for home renovations?

Custom woodwork and cabinets can increase your home’s value. | Photo by COLAtoday

With warmer weather in full swing, home renovations may be top of mind for you. Whether you’re building from the ground up, going through an urgent repair, or adding value to your house, renovations and repairs can transform your home.

Thanks to you and your suggestions, we’ve gathered your tips and local business recommendations to help out around your home along with some other resources specific to Richland County.

🪵 Flooring

Willie Smith and Associates | “I recommend Willie Smith and Associates, for expert flooring and other household installations. I found them on Angie’s website. Thorough, honest, clean, and fast work. Did an awesome job on my kitchen floors!” – Deb B.

🗣️ General advice

Better Business Bureau | “Check out your contractor at the Better Business Bureau. You can find out if they are properly licensed, what kind of ratings and reviews they have from previous work done, and you will have free mediation if things go south!” – Marlo K.

🛠️ Renovation + repair

Bennett’s Cabinets | “Bennett’s Cabinets makes custom cabinets for your kitchen and bath. New builds and home remodeling.” – Dawn B.

Click the link below to read more local recommendations for home renovations or repairs when it comes to Richland County’s Resources, electrical work, home building or contracting, and more.

MORE RECOMMENDATIONS HERE

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Sam.

Editor’s pick: The answer to the quiz is D. $2.9 billion. According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s report, direct-to-consumer agricultural sales generated $2.9 billion in revenue in 2020.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Read about the $2 billion Scout Motors investment coming to Columbia, here.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Samantha Robertson, David Stringer, Erin McPherson, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith| Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Lindsey Rhinesmith| Advertise with us.

Content marked with an * was created in partnership with 6AM City’s advertising partners. Paid content helps keep this newsletter free. 6AM City may also receive a commission on purchases made through affiliate links in this newsletter.

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