Plus, Cottontown Art Crawl applications open.
 
10.10.2024 6AM-Top banner logo-small.png

SUBSCRIBE
Allsouth Federal Credit Union

Today’s Forecast

75º | 0% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:25 a.m. | Sunset 6:55 p.m.
Full Weather Report | Traffic Report
 

A Message From Our Team
Please join us in supporting recovery efforts for our neighbors in Western NC. Our hearts are heavy for our friends, family, and team members affected by the destruction of Hurricane Helene and its aftermath. 100% of donations will be sent to BeLoved Asheville, supporting food and water distribution, clothing and supply deliveries, and debris cleanup across the region.
 

Options galore
Storm Water Studios-8271.jpg
The Midlands Clay Arts Society 23rd Annual Holiday Sale is coming up in December at Stormwater Studios seen here. | Photo by COLAtoday
Whether you’ve lived here for 50 years or are just here for a visit, there are plenty of exciting activities + areas to explore in the Soda City, if you can find them.

Instead of turning to Google this time, let your dedicated COLAtoday City Editors offer up some alternatives to well-known spots.

Columbia Museum of Art

Don’t get us wrong, we love the CMA, but there are several other spots to see great art around the Soda City. In addition to a day at the museum, we recommend:
USC Arboretum.jpg

This Rhododendron is one of many unique plants you’ll see in the W. Gordon Belser Arboretum.

|

Photo via W. Gordon Belser Arboretum

Take a walk

We love our afternoon walks on Columbia’s riverwalks, but they aren’t the only spots to close those rings around the Soda City. Here are a few more spots to stroll.
  • Southeast Park features six miles of trails around the lake and through the woods.
  • Take a walk along the Linder Circle Trail in the W. Gordon Belser Arboretum and view the collection of ten different plant communities.
City Editor David here, my favorite downtown walking loop is to park near Capstone (it’s usually wide open in the evenings) and walk through campus, the Historic Horseshoe, around the State House, and back.

202204_pimento_sandwichdepot_002 Sandwich Depot Pimento Cheese (1)

Take a bite of the crunchy grilled pimento cheese sandwich from Sandwich Depot. | Photo by Forrest Clonts

All kinds of barbecue

If you claim Columbian status, it’s more or less mandatory to espouse the merits of South Carolina’s barbecue every chance you get. That being said, the Midlands is bursting with other award-winning options.
Have any other local haunts you think should make the list? Let us know and we’ll add it to the itinerary.
Try these too
SC State Election Commission
 
Events
Thursday, Oct. 10
  • Five After Five: Jimmy Buffett Tribute Night | 6 p.m. | Five Points Fountain | Free | Five After Five is a free concert series that transforms ordinary Thursday evenings into lively, musical extravaganza.
  • People, Places and Things | Thursday, Oct. 10-Saturday, Oct. 12 | Trustus Theatre | $30 | “People, Places and Things” is an exhilarating new play about surviving in the modern world.
  • Loading Dock Live | 5:30 p.m. | The Township Auditorium | Free | Terence Young and Finesse headline this free concert on the loading dock area directly behind the Township Auditorium.
Friday, Oct. 11
  • Music in the Garden | 6-9 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, Cottontown | Free | Have a glass of wine as Paisley Marie serenades you in the garden.
  • Monster Mash Family Party and Dance | 6-9 p.m. | Seven Oaks Park | $28 | Grab your best costume and enjoy dinner, dancing, trick-or-treating, a costume contest, games, a photo, and a goody bag.
Saturday, Oct. 12
  • Accessibility Morning - Trick or Treat | 9-11 a.m. | South Carolina State Museum | Free | This program provides free access for families of children, teenagers, young adults, and adults who would benefit from a quieter, sensory-friendly, and disability-adapted experience at the museum.
  • Soda City Market | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Main Street | Free | Find everything to satisfy your brain, body, and belly — and made with love by local vendors.
  • Hispanic Heritage Month Storytime | 10:30-11 a.m. | Richland Library Sandhills | Free | Bring the whole family for a storytime highlighting books by Hispanic and Latinx authors and illustrators with stories, songs, and more.
More fun this way
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Biz
  • 84 Lumber is investing $13.4 million to establish its second component plant in South Carolina, creating 78 jobs in Clarendon County. The new facility in Manning will focus on manufacturing floor and roof trusses for coastal Carolina markets.
Arts
  • The Seventh Annual Cottontown Art Crawl is now accepting artist applications through Friday, Nov. 15. The event, set for Saturday, March 8, will feature 200 artists, live music, and food trucks in the Cottontown neighborhood.
Community
  • Open up that photos app and search “pet” — the 2025 Paws for Preservation Photo Contest is accepting submissions. Send your favorite pic of your pet at a local historic site by Friday, Oct. 11 for a chance to be featured in the calendar. Winners will be announced in early November.
Watch
  • “Áróra,” a 4K planetarium experience of the Northern Lights, returns to the SC State Museum starting Saturday, Nov. 2. The immersive show explores Iceland’s landscapes and cultural interpretations of the aurora borealis.
Eat
  • The Seventh Annual Food Truck Rodeo is happening at the Epworth Millwood Campus today from 5-8 p.m. Admission is free, and donations will support Epworth Children’s Home’s local children and families.
Network
  • Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR) will host “Table for Six” on Thursday, Nov. 7 at 701 Whaley. Open to aspiring professionals, the event features small group discussions with sports leaders like Eric Mac Lain (ACC Network) and Brad Shank (Columbia Fireflies).
Cause
  • We’ve raised $9,900+ for BeLoved Asheville from readers across North and South Carolina — thank you. 100% of donations go toward supporting food and water distribution, clothing and supply deliveries, and debris cleanup across the region.
Sports
  • South Carolina linebacker quits on team? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Gamecocks with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
    Wellness
     
    Festival

    Get big MAD

    Get ready for the MAD Festival in Kershaw County
    MAD PEFORMER.jpeg
    The MAD Festival is a five-day festival celebrating music, art, drama, and dance. | Photo by MAD Festival
    The MAD Festival is here, celebrating music, arts, drama, and dance with events across Kershaw County. The highlight is the MAD Extravaganza happening on Saturday, Oct. 12, 10 a.m –5:30 p.m., at the Shull Pavilion in Camden. The event features live performances by Prettier Than Matt, John Wesley Satterfield, 3 of a Kind, and Reggie Sullivan Band, plus food trucks, an artists’ market, and activities for kids.

    Tonight’s free events at the Town Green in downtown Camden

    At 6 p.m., join Power Company Collaborative for “Instant Dance,” an interactive dance session from 6-6:30 p.m. Then, enjoy live music by Chris Daniels and the Kings at 6:30 p.m., featuring a mix of rock, blues, and Americana.

    Jazz brunch finale

    On Sunday, Oct. 13, the festival concludes with a Jazz Brunch at 12 p.m. at Grace Episcopal Church where you can eat brunch accompanied by COLAjazz trumpeter Mark Rapp.

    Find the full schedule, explore more events, and purchase tickets on the MAD Festival website.
    The Buy
     
    Suede Chelsea boots — they’re the perfect fall/winter staple for your closet that offers you comfortable wear with ankle support and a slim silhouette.
     
     
    The Wrap
     
    David Stringer wearing a dark button-down shirt

    Today’s edition by:
    David
    From the editor
    We’re almost at my favorite sports season in Cola — Gamecock basketball. We’ll get our first look at this year’s men’s team on Wed., Oct. 30, when they tip off at Colonial Life Arena against head coach Lamont Paris’ alma mater, College of Wooster. I can’t wait to cheer for our new hometown hero, Cam Scott.
    Missed our previous newsletter?     ›
    Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback     ›
    Advertise with us to stand out.     ›
    Games | Crossword, Sudoku, and More     ›
     
     

    Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

    Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

    Copyright © 2023 6AM City Inc, All rights reserved.

    P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

    ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY