Featured events

• National Ride a Bike Day | Sunday, May 5 | Be sure to share your ride on social media using #bikeday and #wearecolumbia.
• Bike to Work Day | Friday, May 17 | 8:30 a.m. | Gather at the State House for a group photo, then enjoy a ride down Main Street to City Hall.

Rides and workshops

• Tour de Taco Rides | Sunday, May 5 | 11-11:30 a.m. | Choose from two scenic routes with a taco treat at the end. The rides start at Cycle Center or Steel Hands Brewery.
• Outspokin’ Bike Maintenance Clinic | Tuesday, May 14 | 6:15-7:30 p.m. | Sharpen your bike maintenance skills at Outspokin’ Bicycles. RSVP required.
• Preservation Bike Ride | All Month | Explore Hidden Columbia and 1960s Columbia on self-guided tours via the City of Columbia’s YouTube channel.

Challenge events

• National Bike Challenge | All Month | Log your miles and partake in national rankings.
• Race to the River | Sunday, May 19 | 10 a.m. | Compete in a thrilling mountain bike race at Harbison State Forest

Weekly rides

• Cycle Center Group Ride | Sundays | 11 a.m. | A 22-mile road ride perfect for all cycling enthusiasts
• Midlands SORBA Trail Ride | Sundays and Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. | Try this no-drop ride through Harbison State Forest.
• Rosewood Ride | Mondays | 6 p.m. | Join in this family-friendly five-mile ride around the neighborhood.

• Ask the Gardener Happy Hour | Wednesday, May 1 | 4-6 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, 1211 Franklin St., Columbia | Free | Learn about organic solutions to those pesky pests and diseases.
• The Market | Wednesday, May 1 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly St., Columbia | Price of purchase | Celebrate Small Business Week by shopping local at Richland Library Main.

• First Thursday on Main | Thursday, May 2 | 5-10 p.m. | Main Street District, 1400 Main St., Columbia | Free | Enjoy events up-and-down Main Street, with a headlining performance from Leone and the Ascension + Autocorrect live in Boyd Plaza.
• Pete Davidson: Prehab Tour | Thursday, May 2 | 7 p.m. | The Senate, 1022B Senate St., Columbia | $55-$65 | The actor and former Saturday Night Live comedian stops by the Vista for a night of laughs.

• Paul Thorn at Newberry Opera House | Friday, May 3 | 8 p.m. | Newberry Opera House, 1201 McKibben St., Newberry | $35-$45 | Don’t miss Paul Thorn’s muscular brand of roots music — a soulful blend of blues, rock, and Southern charm that has captivated audiences worldwide.

• Soda City Market | Saturday, May 4 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Main Street, 1300-1600 Main St., Columbia | Free | Find everything to satisfy your brain, body, and belly — and made with love by local vendors.

• Artisphere presented by TD Bank | Friday, May 10-Sunday, May 12 | Times vary | Main Street, Greenville SC , South Main St., Greenville | Free | Mark your calendars: Artisphere presented by TD Bank is back for its 20th year in downtown Greenville, May 10-12. Enjoy crafts, delicious food, live painting, street performers, and more.*

• Melodies For Mom: A Mother’s Day Show | Sunday, May 12 | 7 p.m. | The Venue on Main, 1626 on Main, Columbia | $45-$55 | Celebrate Mother’s Day with beautiful music courtesy of DSG and Brittany Turnipseed as they honor the special women in our lives.*

• Surf’s Up Acai Bowls: Serving Columbia’s original gourmet soft serve açaí.
• The Hollow: A forest-to-table restaurant specializing in the traditions of rustic American cooking (think: a rotating menu of bison, quail, boar, rabbit, and seasonal vegetables).

• Bitty & Beau’s Coffee: A human rights movement disguised as a coffee shop, Bitty & Beau’s Coffee proudly employs 400+ individuals with disabilities nationwide.
• Dulce Bakery and Café: A family-owned and operated spot offering a variety of cakes, cupcakes, pastries, and more.

• The Devine Cinnamon Roll Deli on Devine Street — a popular breakfast and lunch spot featured by Food Network and People Magazine — is expanding. Plans include a second dining area, bakery, and more parking. (The Post and Courier)

• The Cayce Fire Department launched “Muffin Cares,” a program featuring Muffin, SC’s first Fire Department Therapy Horse. The mini horse, trained to Pet Partners’ standards, aims to foster connection and communication at community events.

• Celebrating National Safe Boating Week, SC State Parks, along with the SCDNR and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, will host ACA Kayaking 101 at Aiken and Chester State Parks on Saturday, May 18. Nationally-certified instructors offer instruction for $15 per person, including equipment.

• Gumshoe Books, a local independent antiquarian bookstore in the Red Lion Antique Store (1929 Hampton St., Columbia), is hosting a 50% off sale throughout May. The bookstore offers 54 bookcases filled with what may be your next treasure.

• SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities received national accreditation from ACCPAS, joining 17 schools nationwide. Reaccreditation covers all programs for 10 years, including the new Film program offering opportunities for young filmmakers.

• What are the Carolina Panthers’ new position needs after the 2024 draft? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

• We want you. Yes, you: The curious-about-the-world person who is a creative thinker, passionate writer, big reader, hard worker, and organized desk-haver. If these traits describe you, see if you’d be a fit for our Junior Branded Copywriter role. We’re hiring now.

• Millions of Americans are caring for an aging family member, and many more are stepping into this role every day. Learn how you can best care for an aging loved one.*

• We love the ease of this grilled salmon with avocado bruschetta recipe almost as much as the health factor. The flavors of tomatoes and basil on top reminds us of summer (yes, we’re already thinking about the next season). Bonus: It’s ready in 40 minutes — including prep time.*

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