Butch the Grizzly Bear at Riverbanks Zoo

Franken-lantern

Happy COLAween

Mean Muggin’

• South Carolina State Fair | Friday, Oct. 20-Sunday, Oct. 22 | Times vary | SC State Fair Grounds, 1200 Rosewood Dr., Columbia | $10-$15 | It’s the last weekend to enjoy this annual event with fried food, rides, entertainment, shows, and more.
• Halloween Costume Swap | Friday, Oct. 20 | 6-8 p.m. | NoMa Warehouse, 2222 Sumter St., Columbia | Free | Bring costume pieces, accessories, full outfits, or any “dress up” items that you’re ready to pass on and swap with others to build some new costumes.

• 6th Annual Holiday Market | Saturday, Oct. 21 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Lexington United Methodist Church, 309 E. Main St., Lexington | Free | Shop 20+ artisan vendors as well as baked goods — hot dogs and hamburgers will also be for sale.
• Walk to End Alzheimer’s | Saturday, Oct. 21 | 9 a.m. | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | Free registration with fundraising encouraged | Help raise awareness and funds to end Alzheimer’s.

• Sunset Sundayz | Sunday, Oct. 22 | 8 p.m. | My House Restaurant and Bar, 7205 Two Notch Rd., Columbia | $30-$300 | Enjoy a dazzling sunset while listening to live music and noshing on delicious bites.

• Cooking with Richland Library: Bubble Tea Workshop | Monday, Oct. 23 | 6-7:30 p.m. | Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly St., Columbia | Free | Learn ow to make two types of bubble tea; this event is for ages 12-18.
• Customer Appreciation Day | Monday, Oct. 23 | 9 a.m.-6 p.m. | Hawthorne Sunset Pharmacy, 2854 Sunset Blvd., West Columbia | Free | Hawthorne Sunset Pharmacy is celebrating customers with raffle prizes, snacks, walk-in flu shots, and more.*

• This lightweight candy pass-out bowl is large enough for all your snacks.
• Want an easy costume (that’s still comfy)? Try this women’s black bat zip hoodie.
• Another easy costume: this men’s “Where’s Waldo?” costume.
• Floating witch hats will make the front porch festive.
• Light the way for trick-or-treaters with orange string lights.

• The Las Vegas Aces beat the New York Liberty on Wednesday, Oct. 18, winning the 2023 WNBA championship title + becoming the first team to win back-to-back championships in 21 years. A’ja Wilson scored 24 points in the game and was crowned as the WNBA Finals MVP. Congrats, A’ja.

• Pawmetto Lifeline + McDaniel Subaru of Columbia have partnered to host the Subaru Loves Pets adoption event happening on Saturday, Oct. 21, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. There will be reduced adoption fees and Subaru will donate $100 to the organization for every pet adopted this month.

• The Studio Square, a rental photography studio in Cayce, will close by Sunday, Dec. 17. In a post on Instagram, The Studio Square thanked Piecewise Coffee for being its host and stated the studio would close to give the coffee shop more space as it continues to grow.

• The Orionid meteor shower is predicted to peak during the early morning hours of Saturday, Oct. 21 and Sunday, Oct. 22. The best times to view the shower will be between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. Try watching the shower in a spot with minimal light pollution for the best views. (USA Today)

• Don’t miss the chance to enjoy the Nomadic Supper Club 12-Course Dim Sum Dinner at The Dragon Room on Monday, Oct. 23, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. View the menu crafted by The Dragon Room chefs Alex Strickland and Kristian Niemi + Chef Blair Machado from Hamfish.

• West Columbia’s annual Fall Back Fest returns on Friday, Nov. 3, from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the 100 block of State Street. The free event will feature live music, food and drinks from local vendors, and Cola artists painting temporary murals on the streets.

• Entries are now open for the South Carolina Young Filmmakers Project — an annual high school competition run by the South Carolina Film Commission and Trident Technical College. Competitors will have the chance to win prize money, with $500 going to the first-place winner. See the competition guidelines.

• The cult-favorite brand of guys (and girlfriends everywhere) just released a new taming tool: The Lawn Mower® 5.0 Ultra. MANSCAPED®'s fifth generation groin and body hair trimmer features interchangeable dual SkinSafe® blades so you can trim first, then go completely smooth. Get 20% off + free shipping.*

• Love whiskey? Join Vinovest’s exclusive whiskey investing community and own your own casks hassle-free. Sell casks for a profit, or opt to bottle them to drink.*