10.02.2023

Today’s Forecast

82º | Sunny | 0% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:19 a.m. | Sunset 7:07 p.m.

🔪 Can you win the carving crown?

Try this: COLAtoday’s 2023 pumpkin carving contest

The SC Farmer’s Market has pumpkins in all shapes and sizes. | Photo by COLAtoday

Carve some time into your schedule. We’ve got a festive contest for you to participate in this spooky season — the COLAtoday Pumpkin Carving Contest.

Whether you plan to carve a pumpkin this season or not, this is your excuse to run to the nearest pumpkin patch or garden store, pick out your perfect pumpkin, and get creative. Don’t forget the carving kit.

The rules + details:

Create your own pumpkin masterpiece; carve, paint, shave, use stickers, or get creative in a way that is fun for you.

To make a submission, take a picture of your pumpkin + submit it here, along with a name for your art, a short description, your name, and your email address. Submissions are open through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15.

While traditional pumpkin carvings and designs will be accepted, bonus points will be awarded to original and locally-themed designs. (Think: local landmarks, businesses, and icons.) Any submissions with offensive language or artwork will not be accepted.

Finalists will be selected by our team and announced in our newsletter on Friday, Oct. 20. These finalists will go head-to-head for the chance to be crowned best jack-o’-lantern of 2023 — you, our readers, will be the ones to vote — and the winner will be announced on Friday, Oct. 27.

Want some pumpkin art inspo before you get started? Here are a few no carve ideas and some pumpkin carving pro tips.

Submit here

Events

Monday, Oct. 2

Arcane Carolinas: Folklore, Urban Legends, and Tales of Modern Weird | Monday, Oct. 2-Thursday, Oct. 12 | 1 p.m. | South Carolina State Library, 1500 Senate St., Columbia | Free | This Speaker at the Center Author Talk features Charlie Mewshaw, author of Arcane Carolinas and co-host of the Arcane Carolinas Podcast.

Tuesday, Oct. 3

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.

Wednesday, Oct. 4

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.

Thursday, Oct. 5

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.

Friday, Oct. 6

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.”

Calendar events here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Announced

Dawndy Mercer Plank, a staple of Midlands TV news for nearly 30 years at WIS, announced her departure. Dawndy, who began at WIS in 1992, shared on Facebook that leaving was one of her toughest decisions. She plans to pursue independent contracting, marathon training, and getting her minor in French.

Arts

One Columbia for Arts and Culture + Experience Columbia SC are partnering on a new mural and looking for an artist. The organizations seek a wall installation for the Experience Columbia SC lobby in the SC State Museum. The budget is $2,000, and the application deadline is Friday, Oct. 20.

Community

Columbia Mayor Daniel Rickenmann will unveil the “Columbia Streams Art” program on Wednesday, Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. at Boyd Plaza. The program engages local artists and students in citywide art projects, including decorated trout sculptures and transformed newspaper boxes. (Cola Daily)

Drink

The State newspaper is searching for the Midlands caffeine king with its latest contest. Vote for your favorite local coffee shop from a curated list of 19, with national chains excluded.

Job

Experience Columbia SC is looking for a new Digital Marketing Associate to work with website management and events. If that’s you or someone you know, apply today.

Traffic

Sunday drivers to the right. SCDOT has installed new signs on the interstate reminding drivers to Slower Traffic Move Right per state law. This should help prevent congestion and keep traffic flowing through Malfunction Junction.

Eat

Calling all air fryer aficionados. Here’s a simple way to step up your salad game with a crispy tortilla shell bowl.*

Finance

One platform is unlocking the $1.7 trillion “billionaires asset class” for everyday investors. Introducing Masterworks, an award-winning platform for investing in blue-chip art. Investors have benefited from 16 sales with returns including 13.9%, 27.3%, and 35.0%. Interested? COLAtoday readers can skip the waitlist and join.†*

† Past performance is not indicative of future returns; investing involves risk. See disclosures masterworks . com/cd

Seasonal

🌽 “A single mom who works two cobs”

Reba McEntire corn mazes in South Carolina

Get lost in Reba’s cowboy hat at McArthur Farms. | Photo provided by McArthur Farm

In celebration of her upcoming book “Not That Fancy,” Reba McEntire has teamed up with The MAiZE Inc. to create 40 Reba-themed corn mazes nationwide, with three located in SC.

In addition to the fall fun, visitors have a chance to win a trip to Nashville for the “Not That Fancy: An Evening with Reba & Friends,” scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 5. Plus, one lucky guest from each farm will receive an autographed copy of Reba’s book, set to release on Tuesday, Oct. 10.

Experience the fun at one of these SC Reba Mazes:

Denver Downs Farm,1515 Denver Rd., Anderson, SC | $24.95 | Located two hours from Columbia, choose a time slot and be sure to purchase your ticket in advance.

McArthur Farms,1708 Hwy. 38 South, Bennettsville | $16.99 | Located an hour and a half from Columbia, visit the 12-acre corn maze and enjoy the wagon rides and the s’mores bonfire.

Stewart Farms, 6600 Hwy. 92, Enoree | $8 | Located 30 minutes from Columbia, this corn maze turns into the Big Boo haunted maze at night.

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The Wrap

David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

And the winner is... Edisto River Boys. I had a blast judging at the Animal Mission’s Palmetto Peanut Boil again this year. My favorite creative peanut was Chapin Boy’s wing nut, covered in buffalo sauce. I initially gave it a little side-eye, but the flavor won me over.

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