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66º | Heavy thunderstorms | 90% chance of rain
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🍻 Prost! Break out your lederhosen

7 Oktoberfest events in the Midlands
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Incarnation Lutheran Church on Devine Street hosts the annual Oktoberfest event. | Photo by COLAtoday
It’s almost the most brew-tiful time of the year: Oktoberfest.

This folk festival originated in Munich, Germany in 1810 to celebrate the marriage of Bavarian Crown Prince Louis to Princess Therese von Sachsen-Hildburghausen. The tradition has continued to grow into the world’s largest Volkfest — read: people festival — filled with beer, traditional Bavarian music, performances, parades, and German outfits.

But don’t worry, you won’t need to hop on a plane to join the festivities. We gathered seven celebrations to plan for a pitcher-perfect Oktoberfest.

Steel Hands Oktoberfest | Friday, Sept. 15 | Join the free Oktoberfest event at Steel Hands for German music, food, special beer releases, and various competitions, including a costume contest and traditional games.

Columbia Craft Oktoberfest | Saturday, Oct. 7 | Celebrate with the release of the new Festbier and grab a Curry Wurst from The Wurst Wagen.

Newberry Oktoberfest | Saturday, Oct. 7 | This free event is Newberry’s largest annual event and features live music all day, a best traditional dress contest, and wandering accordionist Bob Wilusz in full German clothing.

River Rat Brewery Oktoberfest | Saturday, Oct. 7 | Bring your appetite for brats, spaetzle, pretzels, and German beers.

Oktoberfest at WeCo Bottle and Biergarten | Friday, Oct. 13-15 | The West Columbia biergarten will double the food trucks for the weekend and have a rotation of German brews on tap.

Bierkeller Columbia | Saturday, Oct. 14 + Sunday, Oct. 15 | Bierkeller has that Oktoberfest feel year-round, but the new German inspired bar will host its first official festivities this year at the new Canalside location.

Oktoberfest Columbia | Friday, Oct. 20 - 22 | Columbia’s original Oktoberfest at Incarnation Lutheran Church offers authentic German beer, food, live oompah bands, pastries, and family-friendly entertainment.
City of West Columbia
 
Events
Friday, Sept. 8
  • Columbia Craft Kickoff | Friday, Sept. 8 | 7-9 p.m. | Columbia Craft Brewing Company, 520 Greene St., Columbia | $15 | Kickoff the USC football season at Columbia Craft with a tour of the brewery, live music, food trucks, and a free pint of your choice.
Saturday, Sept. 9
  • Trustus Theatre Season 39 Kickoff | Saturday, Sept. 9 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | Trustus Theatre, 520 Lady St., Columbia | $15 | Join Trustus to celebrate the kickoff of Season 39 with a block party featuring performances by local artists Natural Mystic, Pluto Wilson, Tony Opus, and performances from its season opener, Sweeney Todd.
Sunday, Sept. 10
  • Freeman Sundays @3 | Sunday, Sept. 10-Monday, Sept. 11 | 3-4:30 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St., Columbia | $15 | These Sunday concerts feature the university’s renowned music faculty in fresh and vibrant chamber music programs.
  • Colony House: The Cannonballers Tour | Sunday, Sept. 10 | 8 p.m. | The Senate, 1022B Senate St., Columbia | $23 | This indie rock band is made up of brothers Will and Caleb Chapman and is self described as “landlocked surf rock.”
Monday, Sept. 11
  • Stargazing at the Melton Observatory | Monday, Sept. 11 | 9-11 p.m. | Melton Observatory, 1429 Greene St., Columbia | Free | Melton Observatory is open to stargazers, weather permitting.
Tuesday, Sept. 12
  • Pass The Aux! with Stagbriar | Tuesday, Sept. 12 | 6-8 p.m. | femme x Columbia, 1501 Richland St., Columbia | Free | Pass the Aux! is a monthly listening series curated by SceneSC and Cola Love to support the local music and arts community.
Calendar events here
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News Notes
Outdoors
  • A new pedestrian bridge near the Botanical Gardens entrance to Riverbanks Zoo & Gardens in West Columbia is set for construction, enhancing Saluda River access. The joint initiative between West Columbia and Columbia promotes eco-tourism.
Development
  • A 250-unit apartment complex has been proposed for the 2.5-acre lot adjacent to the South Carolina State Museum on Huger Street by Ohio-based Silver Hills Development. Located a block east of the Congaree River, the project includes a 330-space parking garage. (The Post and Courier)
Sports
  • The Gamecock women’s basketball team revealed their 2023-24 SEC schedule. Highlights include matchups against traditional powerhouses like Tennessee and Kentucky. See the full schedule. (Gamecocks Online)
Real Estate
  • The church sanctuary at 1419 Anthony Ave. in Cottontown recently sold to Gretchen Lambert and Stan Gardner. Gretchen is an architect and owner of Studio 2LR Architecture + Interiors and intends to convert it into a residence. The church is relocating for its expanding congregation.
Arts
  • A 10-foot-tall robot head sculpture from local artist Clark Ellefson is set to be installed in Five Points and unveiled during JerryFest in October. This addition is part of the village’s public arts initiative, joining other sculptures like the Hootie & the Blowfish tribute and the large brick Hubbell sculpture. (Free Times)
Show
  • Richland Library Main’s gallery now features the “Evening Light” exhibit by artist Mary Gilkerson now through Friday, Sept. 29. The exhibit, inspired by the local landscapes of Lower Richland County, offers a reflective experience of nature and culture.
 
Sports

🛜 Williams-Brice’s tech boost

Here’s what’s new at Williams Brice in 2023
Williams Brice
In “The Program,” many football scenes were filmed at the Williams-Brice Stadium. | Photo by @sc_drone
When the Gamecocks kickoff at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday night in Williams-Brice Stadium, fans will witness new pre-game ceremonies on the field, including an enhanced 2001 entrance, as well as a new audio visiual hype experience.

From tech enhancements to revamped facilities, here’s a quick rundown of what’s new in the stadium for 2023:

Digital maps
  • Located on the Gamecocks app fans can navigate key locations inside the stadium including menus, water locations, restrooms, and first aid stations.
New concessions
Seating
  • The revamped West Main Patio will offer outdoor soft seating for fans seeking relaxation during the game.
Enhanced service
  • Enhanced cell phone coverage for Verizon
Safety first
  • Enhanced security measures, including walk-through metal detectors at all gates.
Gamecock Gastro Pub
  • This will be open on Friday nights of home games, offering a full-service pub bar happy hour experience inside Williams-Brice Stadium.
Sustainability
  • New recycling bins and a commitment to zero waste by 2025.
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The Wrap
 
David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

Today’s edition by:
David
From the editor
Bar None’s storage area is full and the 20+ year old Five Points bar is hosting a yard sale at 218 Woodrow St. on Saturday, Sept. 9 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Stop by if you’re looking for some Cola memorabilia or nostalgic bar art.
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