🎡 Rides

• The Zipper: Returning with thrilling vertical G-forces, spins, and delightful surprises.
• The Wave Swinger: This ride tilts at its peak, offering a cooling breeze as it takes riders of all ages to new heights.
• Flying Dumbos: This kiddie ride sends young ones soaring.
• Double Decker Carousel: The enchanting double-decker carousel is making a comeback.
• Celebration Wheel: A 150-ft Ferris wheel that accommodates up to six people, providing breathtaking views of Columbia.

🍩 Food

• Billy G’s Carolina BBQ
• Pumpkin spice funnel cake
• Dill pickle pizza
• Donut dog
• Wisconsin cheese curds
• Fried salted caramel pretzel brownies
• Mighty mango tea
• Oliver Gospel Mission coffee
• See a map of the vendors here.

🎪 Entertainment

• CIRCUS | The circus will be performing three 40-minute-long shows each day. Shows begin at 2 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m. The CIRCUS is free with admission + is located near the South Gate Entrance.
• Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibition | Immerse yourself in the life of Princess Diana with a unique walkthrough documentary showcasing iconic and intimate moments in Royal Family history from Diana’s perspective.

• Women’s Night Out by Lexington Medical Center | Tuesday, Oct. 3 | 5:30-9 p.m. | The Senate, 1022B Senate St., Columbia | $60 | Enjoy drinks with friends while participating in various preshow activities, including awareness and education exhibits, raffle prizes, and 360 flytography.
• Sip & Plant Workshop: Edible Fall Planter | Tuesday, Oct. 3 | 6:30-8 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St., Columbia | $45 | Get into the autumn spirit with friends as you craft your very own edible fall planter in a 14-inch pot to take home.

• 1 Million Cups | Wednesday, Oct. 4 | 9-10 a.m. | Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly St., Columbia | Free | Join this event for local entrepreneurs to meet and present their startups to the thriving peer network of founders in Columbia.
• Blythewood Farmers Market | Wednesday, Oct. 4 | 4-7 p.m. | Doko Meadows Park, 171 Langford Rd., Blythewood | Price of purchase | This market has food, live music, and special promotional events throughout the year.

• First Thursday on Main | Thursday, Oct. 5 | 6 p.m. | Main Street, Columbia | Free | On the first Thursday of each month, businesses in downtown Columbia stay open late with live music in front of the CMA.
• 120th Diamond Gala | Thursday, Oct. 5 | 5:30-9 p.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | This celebratory business gathering will bring together influential leaders, trailblazing entrepreneurs, and notable professionals for an unforgettable experience.
• Restaurant Week Midlands | Thursday, Oct. 5 | Various locations, Columbia | Price of purchase | Restaurant Week gives you a chance to enjoy meals at discounted prices while giving restaurants exposure.

• 2023 Corn Maze at Clinton Sease Farm | Friday, Oct. 6-Sunday, Oct. 8 | Times vary | Clinton Sease Farm, 382 Olde Farm Rd., Lexington | $15 | The corn maze at Clinton Sease Farm is back and this year the event is themed “The Jewel of South Carolina.”

• Under cabinet lighting
• Luxury plank flooring throughout
• Tile backsplash
• Granite countertops
• Terraces with treetop sunset and sunrise views
• And more

• A complimentary Starbucks coffee bar
• Work-from-home space
• A lush courtyard with a fire pit, loungers, and grill
• And more

• Several organizations will pack 3,000 boxes of non-perishable food at Walmart Supercenter on Forest Drive tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for Greg’s Groceries program. The event honors fallen Officer Greg Alia. The Greg’s Groceries program has delivered over 85,000 meals packed by local officers.

• Aliyah Boston, the No. 1 pick in the WNBA draft and a former USC basketball player, was named the WNBA Rookie of the Year. She averaged 14.5 points, 8.4 rebounds, and set a rookie record with a 57.8% field goal percentage. Aliyah also led the league in field goal percentage, becoming the first rookie to do so since 2018. (ESPN)

• The Bush River Road entrance to Saluda Shoals Park is currently closed for bridge repairs. Repairs will likely conclude on Friday, Oct. 6, and a reopening will be announced. During this time, all park traffic should use the east gate entrance on 6071 St. Andrew Rd.

• Enjoy Oktoberfest at River Rat this Saturday, Oct. 7, from 12 to 10 p.m. The fall event features live music, including Die Lustigen Musikanten Band and Bob Planner, specialty drinks, and a variety of Oktoberfest food like schnitzel, bratwurst, pretzels, and more.

• The historic South Caroliniana Library, the oldest freestanding academic library in the US, is set to reopen after an extensive multi-year renovation. A media sneak peek will take place tomorrow + a ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place on Thursday, Oct. 5, followed by public access on Friday, Oct. 6

• Gamecock Athletics is offering a “BUY Week” ticket promotion for the Saturday, Nov. 4 game against Jacksonville State. This limited-time “BUY Week” promotion is available until Saturday at midnight. Fans can purchase $25 tickets through Ticketmaster. (Gamecocks Online)

• The State Museum has announced their October events and show schedule (including the month-long lighting of the planetarium dome to look like a pumpkin), just in time for Halloween. See the lineup.*

• Make this fall a season of personal growth and warmth. Nearly 5 million people get professional online therapy with BetterHelp — try it for 25% off today.*

• Savor select sushi and sip on select cocktails for half price every Wednesday at SakiTumi Grill & Sushi Bar in the Vista from 5-10 p.m. See the menu.*