Earth Day Climate Action Fair

Earth Day Celebration

Richland Earth Day: Free Drop-Off

Make and Create: Trash2Treasure

Earth Day with Congaree Riverkeeper

Explore more Earth Day

• The 2025 Earth Day Action Toolkit — your resource for all things Earth Day and environmental advocacy.
• The Earth Day event finder — search for local events taking place near you.
• The Climate Literacy Communications Toolkit — learn about the key messaging and research behind climate literacy.

• Senator Gaylord Nelson spearheaded the creation of Earth Day after witnessing an oil spill in Santa Barbara, CA. Under his leadership, the first Earth Day was in 1970.
• The first Earth Day sparked an outpouring of environmental activism, and less than six months later, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the US Environmental Protection Agency were formed.
• Earth Day went global in 1990.

• Gamecocks Baseball vs. Charleston Southern University Buccaneers Baseball | Tuesday, Apr. 18 | 7 p.m. | Founders Park, 431 Williams St., Columbia | $12-$15 | Root, root, root for the home team as the Gamecocks take on Charleston Southern in this midweek matchup.
• Spring Fair Food Drive-Through | Sunday, April 16-Saturday, April 22 | Times vary | South Carolina State Fairgrounds, Gate 6, 1200 Rosewood Dr., Columbia | Free | The week-long food event, featuring a wide variety of traditional fair food and drinks, will culminate with movie nights under the stars.

• Ask the Gardener Happy Hour | Wednesday, Apr. 19 | 4-6 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St., Columbia | Free | Join the resident gardener for drink specials and free gardening discussion.
• Columbia Fireflies vs. Fayetteville Woodpeckers | Wednesday, Apr. 19 | 7:05 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $5-$7 | Bringing your dog to the game with you is free but all dogs must sit in the Bojangles’ Berm.*

• Forks, Knives, & Spoonbills Conservation Dinner at Terra | Thursday, Apr. 20 | 6-9:30 p.m. | Terra, 100 State St., West Columbia | $120 | As each course is served, SCWF Industry Habitat Manager Jay Keck will share information about each species and the conservation efforts needed to help them thrive.
• Harlem Globetrotters | Thursday, Apr. 20 | 7 p.m. | Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St., Columbia | $27-$107 | Your favorite Globetrotter stars will bring their amazing basketball skill, outrageous athleticism, and a non-stop good time.

• Sensory Night | Friday, Apr. 21 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | EdVenture Children’s Museum, 211 Gervais St., Columbia | Free | Guests can look forward to lowered lighting and sounds, limited crowd size, programming from educators, and resources from partner organizations.
• Judah & the Lion | Friday, Apr. 21 | 8 p.m. | The Senate, 1022B Senate St., Columbia | $30 | Sing along with this American alternative rock and folk band from Nashville, TN.

• Entrepreneurial + Business Environment
• Innovative Capacity
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• Employment Index

• Sweet GG’s Bakery is hosting a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, April 21 at 1 p.m. Head to 631-B Harden St. on Saturday from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. to enjoy giveaways and a live DJ from 2-4 p.m. On Sunday, it will be open from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. for coffee and pastries in addition to baked goods. A percentage of the sales will go to the Ronald McDonald House.

• Mayor Rickenmann proposed a tax credit that could help lighten local businesses’ tax burdens. The goal is to reduce taxes for non-owner-occupied properties from six to four percent, hopefully promoting local business growth. The Post and Courier recaps the plan, the why behind it, who it could affect, and when it could go into effect. (The Post and Courier)
• Did you know that Midlands Biz offers a webpage that sources all local public meetings by location? If you want to be a more involved citizen and stay in the know about your local government happenings, click here to find City Council meeting times and agendas.

• Steel Hands Brewing is collaborating with Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) for its Summer Ambassador program. The brewery is looking for a creative brand ambassador to spend three months creating content. The chosen ambassador will receive a round-trip flight to Miami in June. Explore more details about the program.

• Calling all local green thumbs. The Public Works Solid Waste Division is hosting a free compost giveaway for residents. Head to 123 Humane Ln. on May 6 and 13 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. and Public Works will help load materials into your vehicles.

• Looking for some plans tonight? Head to tonight’s Fireflies game for HBCU Night which will include marching band performances from both Benedict College and Allen University. Watch as the Fireflies take on the Fayetteville Woodpeckers at 7:05 p.m. Don’t forget — Miller Lite’s are $2 on Tuesdays. (The Post and Courier)

• How does a local manufacturing company give back to the community? See how Nephron Pharmaceuticals aims to make a positive impact in Columbia through sponsorships, donations, workshops, and more.*

• Meet Bianca Crawford Shelton. She’s an Experience Columbia SC 2023 Ambassador, and she recently told us a few of the things she loves most about living here. Read on for weekend inspo.*

• Hawthorne Pharmacy is giving away two General Admission tickets to Columbia Food and Wine Festival’s sold-out Grand Tasting on Sunday, April 23. To enter, check out the Instagram post now through Wednesday, April 19 at noon.*

• What trip would be worth leaving Columbia? For City Editor Sam, it’s Italy — to see where her mom grew up and explore the countryside. Sign up for Going to get notified when flight prices drop so you can book your dream trip and feel great about it. Join for free.

• This wedding season make sure to shower the happy couple with the perfect gift. Our online store (Six & Main) features presents such as dinner napkins by Willow Ship and celebratory cards by Joy Paper Co. Start shopping.