For the adventurous dad

For the videogamer

For the foodie fathers

For the proudly bearded

For the music lover

For the fashionable father

• Mental Health Film & Panel | Thursday, June 13 | 6-8:30 p.m. | The Nickelodeon Theater, 1607 Main St., Columbia | $8 | Join The Nick for a screening of the film “Clean, Shaven,” followed by an engaging discussion aimed at destigmatizing mental illness.

• Midlands Youth Queer Prom | Friday, June 14 | 7-10 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Gardens at Historic Columbia, 1615 Blanding St., Columbia | Free | Midlands Queer Prom provides a space where attendees can express themselves authentically, free from judgment.
• 2024 Southeastern BBQ Showdown | Friday, June 14-Saturday, June 15 | Segra Park, 1640 Freed St., Columbia | $37-$50 | 30 BBQ teams from across the competition BBQ world will cook and provide samples.

• Dog Dad Day Celebration | Saturday, June 15 | 12-2 p.m. | Modern Companion Pet Boutique, 508B Lexington Ave., Chapin | Free | Modern Companion is celebrating the dog dads of the midlands with photo ops, hats, and more.
• Reggaetronic Lake Murray Music Festival 2024 | Saturday, June 15 | 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. | Spence Island Lake Murray, Lexington | $25-$275 | Enjoy this floating music festival on Lake Murray.

• Free Sundays Presented by Richland County | Hampton-Preston Mansion | Sunday, June 16 | 1-4 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion, 1615 Blanding St., Columbia | Free | On the third Sunday of each month, residents of Richland + Lexington counties can tour one of Historic Columbia’s house museums for free.

• Gates open at 6:30 p.m.
• The SCU Kids Zone is open from 6:30-8 p.m.
• The concert begins at 8 p.m.
• Tickets are $10 + military personnel get a $2 discount, courtesy of Combined Insurance.

• SC’s primary elections happened on Tuesday, and the results are in, covering county councils to candidates running for the House, the Senate, and congressional districts. Take a look. (WLTX)

• The statue of Dawn Staley that was announced last year is en route from Australia to Columbia and is set to arrive by the end of next month. The location of the 11-ft statue is still to be determined. (The State)

• A USC finance major, Andrew Nye, created Qatalyst Health — a technology resource helping to streamline nursing facility billing. He joined GrowCo’s ColaStarts program, which mentors startups + is funded by the Boyd Foundation. (The Post and Courier)

• USC hired three new head coaches. Along with Paul Mainieri for baseball, USC hired Ashley Chastain for softball + Rob Bradley for men’s golf. Chastain (a former USC athlete) returns from the Charlotte 49ers, and Bradley is coming from Purdue. (WLTX)

• SCDOT will host a virtual meeting on Wednesday, June 26, from 5:30-6:30 p.m., to discuss the 2024 Statewide Rail Plan. The plan aims to improve rail safety for the next 20 years. Register for the Zoom meeting to participate. (SC Biz News)

• Azalea Coffee Bar is celebrating Chappell Roan’s visit to Columbia with its new “Midwest Princess” drink. This white chocolate cold brew is available only for today + features strawberry cold foam, pink glitter, and a disco ball straw.

• USC’s football game vs. LSU is among the most underrated in the SEC’s 2024 Slate. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the South Carolina Gamecocks with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
  

• If you’re like us, you plan to get outside this summer. Pro tip: Don’t forget to check for ticks (especially when you’ve been in wooded or grassy areas) + know these tips to protect yourself from Lyme disease.*

• $8,000. That’s how much we’re looking to raise to support our staff and mission here at COLAtoday — and our fundraising ends tomorrow. If you love the free community resource you’re reading right now (we sure do), support us today with a one-time donation. See how close we are to our goal.

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