Your hosts for the 2024 College GameDay broadcast. | Photo via ESPN
ESPN’s “College GameDay” is coming to Gamecock Park this Saturday, ahead of the Gamecock’s matchup against No. 16 LSU. It’s the first time the show has broadcast live from Columbia in 10 years, so fans won’t want to miss the excitement.
Event details
The live broadcast begins at 9 a.m. and runs until 12 p.m., with the final hour moving inside Williams-Brice Stadium. Gamecock Park opens at 6 a.m., with the ESPN pit opening at 6:30 a.m. The pit is first-come, first-served, and wristbands are required for entry.
Shuttle Services
An early shuttle service will start from the Russell House at 5:45 a.m., with free rides for students and $5 for others. The Bull Street Garage will also open for parking at $20 per car.
What to bring
Fans are encouraged to wear team colors + bring your most creative signs — just be sure to follow the rules. Don’t forget sunscreen and a poncho. The forecast predicts a 40% chance of rain with temperatures around 82 degrees during the day.
Gamecock fan experience
The Gamecock Walk starts around 10 a.m. as the team enters the stadium led by Cocky, the drumline, and spirit teams. Afterward, head to the Pregame Pep Rally at Gamecock Park Amphitheater at 10:20 a.m., featuring the Mighty Sound of the Southeast and the Gamecock spirit teams.
Gamecock Village will also host pregame activities, opening at 8 a.m. Enjoy live music by the Reggie Sullivan Band, food trucks, beer tents, and autograph sessions with the Gamecock women’s basketball team (9:15 a.m. to 10 a.m.).
Make a day of it
After the broadcast, buy a ticket and stay for the game. If you’re not attending the game, local restaurants like J’s Corner and hanging out in Gamecock Village are great ways to keep the fun going.
A Conversation With Stephen Satterfield | Tuesday, Sept. 10 | 6 p.m. | Darla Moore School of Business (Hootie Johnson Performance Hall) | Free | Satterfield is the director of the critically acclaimed Netflix docu-series “High on the Hog.”
Celtic Music Night | Tuesday, Sept. 10 | 7:30-10:30 p.m. | The Aristocrat | Free | This music night is headed up by Syr band member Worth Lewallen and followed by an open jam.
Wednesday, Sept. 11
Morning Yoga on Boyd Plaza | Wednesday, Sept. 11 | 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Columbia Museum of Art | Free | Begin your day with a gentle and restorative yoga session.
2024 State of the University Address | Wednesday, Sept. 11 | 10-11 a.m. | University of South Carolina | Free | President Michael Amiridis will reflect on the past year’s achievements and look to the future.
9/11 Memorial Workout | Wednesday, Sept. 11 | 6 p.m. | SC State House | Free | Climb all 92 steps in honor of the 2,200 steps bravely ascended by firefighters.
Thursday, Sept. 12
Concert in the Gardens | Thursday, Sept. 12 | 5-7 p.m. | Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens | $20 | Bring your own blanket or chairs, and pack a picnic if you’d like.
Friday, Sept. 13
Album Release Show | Friday, Sept. 13 | 7-10 p.m. | Indah Coffee | Free | Join Admiral Radio as they release their next album, “Good Things Take Time.”
Centennial Celebration Concert: 100 Years of Music at Carolina | Friday, Sept. 13 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | $8+ | This concert features all of the large student ensembles on, around, and under both the Gonzalez Hall stage inside and the Plaza stage outdoors.
1624 Bistro, a new quick-service breakfast and lunch spot, will open at 1624 Main St. The new spot will offer grab-and-go meals like sandwiches, salads, and flatbreads. A soft opening is planned for Monday, Sept. 23. (The Post and Courier)
Outdoors
The Town of Lexington will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Old Mill Pond Trail on Friday, Sept. 13 at 10:30 a.m. The 1.15-mile paved loop of the Old Mill Pond Trail offers scenic views of the Lexington Mill Pond, with various bridges, outlooks, and seating areas for enjoying nature.
Announced
Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “The Lost Christmas Eve” tour is coming to Colonial Life Arena on Saturday, Dec. 12. The annual rock holiday tour returns with an all-new version of the show. Tickets go on sale this Friday at 10 a.m.
Regional
Fury 325 at Carowinds was named “Best Steel Coaster” for the eighth time at the 2024 Golden Ticket Awards. Carowinds is set to host the 2025 Golden Ticket Awards in September 2025.
Edu
What would your high school’s football team do with $100,000? School officials can register your school for the chance to win T-Mobile’s Friday Night 5G Lights contest. We’re looking at you, CA Johnson High School. Psst — give COLAtoday a tag when you rally on social media so we can boost it.
Try This
Today’s Best voting is in full swing and there is still time to give your two cents. Remember, you can vote once per day. Share the love for your favorite local businesses here.
Sports
Phil Mafah’s big game was crucial for Clemson’s win against App State. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Clemson Tigerswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Finance
Rates just dropped. Now could be the perfect time for you to tap into your home equity — calculate your payment.*
Home
Calling all home decorators. Color matching just got easier with the Nix Mini 3. Use it to match any hue with thousands of name-brand paint colors.*
The Buddies, Not Bullies Rally & Inaugural Parade begins at the corner of Main and Blandings Streets. | Photo provided by Super Beauty Foundation
Nearly one in five students are affected by bullying, and local artist and entrepreneur TiffanyJ is working to shine a light on it through the Super Beauty Foundation.
On Sunday, Oct. 6, the seventh Annual Buddies, Not Bullies Rally and Parade will bring the Columbia community together to raise awareness about the impact of bullying and promote mental health.
Starting at 3 p.m. at the corner of Main and Blanding Streets and ending at the State House, the event will feature a mobile art show and competition, where artwork from young artists across the Carolinas will be displayed. Winners, judged by the Studio Art Department at Benedict College, will receive cash prizes and trophies.
Sponsored by the SC Arts Commission and TJ’s Elements, the event will also include performances and guest speakers promoting unity, kindness, and inclusion.
Kudos to everyone involved in the Meeting Street Music Fest for putting on such a wonderful event. I spent Saturday enjoying the WeCo sunset and watching fantastic performances by Brittany Turnipseed, George Fetner and the Strays, Who’s Bad, and of course, headliner WAR, who played a killer sunset set. Plus, the Gamecocks were pouncing on Kentucky, so the vibes were great.
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