• Books & Brackets Basketball Challenge | Friday, March 3 | 8 a.m. | United Way of the Midlands, Columbia | $10 entry | Enter Books and Brackets to support readers in Pre-K through 3rd grade.
• Off The Wall & Onto The Stage: Dancing the Art of Jonathan Green | Friday, March 3 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | The Township Auditorium, 1703 Taylor St., Columbia | Columbia City Ballet presents Off the Wall and Onto the Stage: Dancing the Art of Jonathan Green bringing the Gullah-inspired paintings to life through creative choreography and innovative sets.
• 2023 Greater Irmo Chamber Awards Night & Gala | Friday, March 3-Saturday, March 4 | 6:30-11 p.m. | DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Columbia, South Carolina, 2100 Bush River Rd., Columbia | $150-$250 | An evening of fun for all including cocktails, dinner, dancing, and casino-style entertainment.

• March for Meals 5K | Saturday, Mar. 4 | 7:30 a.m. | Timmerman Trail, 1120 Fort Congaree Trail, Cayce | $15-$35 | In addition to raising additional funds to serve the Richland County seniors in need, this event raises awareness of the issues of senior poverty and food instability.
• Irmo Farmers Market at Irmo Community Park | Saturday, Mar. 4 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Free | Irmo Community Park, 7507 Eastview Dr., Irmo | Enjoy local homemade food and goodies from Irmo and the surrounding areas.
• Lexington Munching on Main Tour with Two Gals and Fork | Saturday, Mar. 4 | 3-5:30 p.m. | Downtown Lexington, Main St., Lexington | $50 | Eat at five top restaurants and learn cool local history.

• USC Gamecocks Baseball vs. Clemson Tigers Baseball | Sunday, Mar. 5 | 1:30 p.m. | Founders Park, 431 Williams St., Columbia | $20-$25 | Watch the Gamecocks take on the tigers this Sunday at Founders Park.
• Craftsmen’s Classic Art & Craft Festival | Friday, Mar. 3-Sunday, March 5 | Times vary | $8 | SC State Fair Grounds, 1200 Rosewood Dr., Columbia | This event features original designs and works from hundreds of talented artists from across the nation.

• Pull out your garnet + black gear and mark your calendars for April 15. The annual Gamecock Spring Football Game will be played under the lights at 7 p.m. in Williams-Brice Stadium. Admission is free for fans. 🏈

• In case you missed it, City Editor David woke up before the sun to see how Lizard’s Thicket makes each biscuit from scratch. Watch this reel to see the full-making process in less than 10 seconds. 🧈

• Have you been to Leo’s Landing inside Saluda Shoals Park? The inclusive park is very large and features ADA-compliant restrooms, activities, swings, slides, zip lines, and more. We highly recommend trying out this park if you’re looking for something to do with kids. Just pay $5 to park. 🌳

Act like a local

• Drink: Don’t sleep on the wine scene in Boise known for excellent syrahs, rieslings, and chardonnays. The Sunnyslope Wine Trail is a must-visit — Indian Creek particularly — but don’t be afraid get spicy with the jalapeño wine lemonade at Potter Wines.
• Family: Scope out the aquarium or splash around at a nearby water park during warmer weather months.

Where to stay

• Vrbo: North End couple’s getaway walking distance to downtown (~$82/night)*

• What’s your vacation vibe — cozy, luxurious, or chic? For a cozy stay, look no further than this snug and cheerful getaway on beachy St. Simons Island, Georgia. For luxury, book this lush Hawaiian resort on the island of Kaua’i. And for the chicest of stays, peep this renovated house in downtown Charleston.*

• Calling all bibliophiles. Level up your reading routine with an Audible Membership. Why we love it: we can listen to our favorite books and discover new titles while doing everyday tasks like commuting, walking the dog, cooking, and cleaning. Sign up for your first 30 days free. 📚*

• Level up your sleep hygiene and wake up feeling well-rested with a little help from two top-rated products: this blackout sleep mask with ~9,000 five-star reviews and this sleek white noise machine complete with 31 different soothing sounds. 💤 *