08.01.2024

Today’s Forecast

96º | 20% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 6:35 a.m. | Sunset 8:24 p.m.
Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

A Message From Our Team

At COLAtoday, we share hyper-local and need-to-know information about your Columbia faves. Meet: COLAtoday’s Best. From restaurants to salons, we’re asking for your insight on the top-tier spots Columbia has to offer. Nominations are open until Friday, August 16.

These events are on the house

9 free fall festivals in Columbia

The Palmetto Peanut Boil on Devine Street is fun for the whole family. | Photo by COLAtoday

Nothing fills up faster than a Columbian’s fall calendar. Between Carolina football games, family gatherings, weddings, and festivals, your calendar is full before you know it. Here are nine free events to plan ahead for starting in September.

Meeting Street Festival | Friday, Sept. 6-Saturday, Sept. 7 | In its second year, this festival will expand to two days and is headlined by 1970s funk group WAR, best known for their songs “Low Rider” and “Why Can’t We Be Friends?”

Pro tip: tune into this episode of Song Exploder to learn the surprising way the iconic “Low Rider” tune came to be.

Palmetto Peanut Boil | Saturday, Sept. 28 | City Editor David here, as a two-time Peanut Boil judge, this event is one of my favorite events to attend. Devine Street is closed off at the 2900 block as teams boil peanuts, live bands play, and it’s all for a great cause to support the Animal Mission.

Sun Ra.jpg — Jam Room Music Festival brings nationally acclaimed acts to Main Street.
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Photo by Perry McLeod

SC Pride Festival | Friday, Oct. 18-Saturday, Oct. 19 | This year’s festival kicks off with a block party on Friday evening followed by the Get Lit Night Parade starting at sunset. Stick around for a dance party and concert celebration on Main Street.

Jam Room Music Festival | Saturday, Oct. 26 | Returning to the 1400 Block for its 11th year, this free music festival is headlined by Athens, GA band of Montreal and a soon to be announced co-headliner.

5 more free fests

Asked

What’s a bygone Columbia festival that you’d like to see return?

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Events

Thursday, Aug. 1

Shepard Fairey Facing the Giant: 3 Decades of Dissent | Thursday, Aug. 1-Friday, Aug. 2 | 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. | McKissick Museum, 816 Bull St., Columbia | Free | See an exhibition composed of 30 silkscreen and mixed media prints from the renowned street artist from Charleston.
First Thursday On Main | Thursday, Aug. 1 | 5:30-8:30 p.m. | Main Street District, Columbia | Free | Enjoy free music on Boyd Plaza, art in the Arcade Mall, and a soccer ball scavenger hunt.

Friday, Aug. 2

City of Columbia Food Truck Fridays | Friday, Aug. 2 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | REI Co-Op Parking Lot, Bull St., Columbia | Grab lunch from a variety of local food trucks lined up at the REI Co-op parking lot.
Kickin’ It in the Vista | Friday, Aug. 2 | 4-8 p.m. | Columbia Craft, 520 Greene St., Columbia | Free | The line-up for the concert, celebrating the Liverpool F.C. and Manchester United includes Eric Paslay, The Vegabonds, and MackMartin.
Nashville Nights Concert Series | Friday, Aug. 2 | 6 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, 2350 Foreman St., Cayce | Free | Nashville Nights features talented singer/songwriters traveling from Nashville, TN for special live music performances.
Brew at the Zoo | Friday, Aug. 2 | 7-9:30 p.m. | Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, 500 Wildlife Pkwy., Columbia | $75 | Tap into this sell-out event that supports wildlife and wild places with samples of cold, frothy beer.

Saturday, Aug. 3

803 Day | Saturday, Aug. 3 | 12-5 p.m. | Robert Mills House & Gardens, 1616 Blanding St., Columbia | Free | Explore the gardens, play some games, and immerse yourself in the rich history of the 803.
Manchester United v Liverpool | Saturday, Aug. 3 | 7:30 p.m. | Williams-Brice Stadium, 1174 George Rogers Blvd, Columbia | $88+ | Watch two of the biggest names in soccer on the pitch at Williams Brice.

Find your weekend plans

Click here to have your event featured.

Cause

How to get involved during Black Philanthropy Month

Two people pose for a picture at a Central Carolina Community Foundation giving event.

Black Philanthropy Month is all about celebrating giving to and by African-descent communities. | Photo provided by Central Carolina Community Foundation

August marks Black Philanthropy Month (BPM), a global movement celebrating African-descent giving and funding equity.

To inspire generosity while supporting 190+ local Black-led nonprofits, Central Carolina Community Foundation’s African American Philanthropy Committee is awarding $10,000 in prizes to eligible nonprofits.

The Foundation is doing their part to promote a more inclusive philanthropic landscape. Want to join the movement? You can choose from more than 600 nonprofits on the Midlands Gives platform.

Celebrate the spirit of giving

News Notes

Coming Soon

Barnes and Noble is returning to Columbia’s Harbison shopping district with a new location at Columbiana Centre Mall. Teased on social media, the store is set to open this fall. The previous Harbison Boulevard store closed in 2013. (The State)

Development

The city of Cayce and the Town of Springdale are collaborating on the $1 million Airport Boulevard Gateway Project to beautify the stretch from I-26 to the airport with trees and flowers. Planting begins this fall, aiming for completion by next summer. (WLTX)

Community

Mays Park off Trenholm Road is set for an upgrade, including a new playground, splash pad, improved walking paths, a rain garden, and a multi-use pickleball/tennis court. Construction will take place for six to eight months.

Concert

Hot 103.9/93.9 will celebrate 25 years with a concert featuring Sexyy Red, Lil Baby, and DaBaby on Friday, Nov. 1 at Colonial Life Arena. Tickets go on sale Friday, Aug. 2 at 10 a.m.

Edu

USC was honored for several historic preservation initiatives by Preservation SC and Historic Columbia. Awards include the renovation of the South Caroliniana Library, Longstreet Theatre’s restoration, and Campus Village’s revitalization.

Olympics

The 2024 Summer Olympics are happening now in Paris, France — keep up with Team USA and some of our favorite local athletes via WLTX. Today’s events include golf, 3x3 basketball, and women’s basketball starting at 7 a.m.

Sports

Listen to these takeaways from day five of the Carolina Panther training camp. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Panthers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.

Award

For the third year in a row, Lexington Medical Center was named the best hospital in the Columbia Metro area by U.S. News & World Report. Read: The hospital excels at factors such as clinical outcomes, level of nursing care, and patient experience. Learn more.*

Featured Home

Located in the heart of Earlewood, this 3-BD 4-BA home stands out for its unique architecture and mountain house vibes. Think: A deck surrounded by a lush outdoor oasis + bedrooms with stunning views. See inside.*

Shop

Get more from your Costco membership — this week only, get a $40 digital Costco shop card and $60 off an order of $200+ on Costco.com when you buy an Executive Membership on our deals site.*

Olympics

Paris Preview, Thursday, Aug. 1

Looking up from the ground at the Eiffel Tower in Paris, with the Olympic rings hung on the landmark's side. — Stay up-to-date with all of South Carolina’s athletes with coverage from WLTX.
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Photo by Shea Stapley, 6AM City

Fresh off their gold medal win in the team final, Simone Biles and Suni Lee will look to make history in the women’s gymnastics all-around final on Thursday.

Here’s some of the key events coming up on Thursday, Aug. 1 at the 2024 Paris Olympics:

Women’s gymnastics all-around final

If either Biles or Lee win on Thursday, they’d be the first woman to earn a second Summer Games all-around gold in 56 years.

US women’s basketball

The U.S. women’s basketball team will wrap up the group stage by facing Belgium, looking to extend its Olympic winning streak to 57 games.

This game is at 3 p.m.

See more coverage from WLTX

The Buy

The Buy 8.01.24 (Affiliate)

This Turkish cotton beach towel — it’s extremely absorbent, made with 100% natural cotton, and is the perfect soft aqua blue companion for your next trip to the ocean.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

Today’s edition by:
David

From the editor

Here’s a reminder that you can drop by the Carolina Room at Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. or 4:30-6:30 p.m. to learn about the new Downtown Columbia Strategic Plan. The open houses will introduce six ideas for downtown Cola.

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