Exercise your right to vote during the early voting period, beginning two weeks before Election Day. | Photo provided by South Carolina Election Commission
Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 5) is less than a month away, and we have a feeling Columbia’s polls will be busy. The good news: South Carolina voters can take advantage of early voting during a presidential election for the first time ever. This initiative began in 2022 as a way to help voters beat the crowds and avoid last-minute delays on Election Day.
Ready to make your vote count? Here’s what you need to know:
When to vote early
Early voting is happening now; it started on Monday, Oct. 21.
Early voting ends on Saturday, Nov. 2.
Where to vote
Every county in South Carolina will have at least one early voting center. Find out where to go using the list of early voting locations for the 2024 General Election.
Voting hours
You can vote Mondays through Saturdays from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Early voting is closed on Sunday, Oct. 27.
What to expect
When you vote early, make sure to bring a valid photo ID. You’ll use the same voting machines that are used on Election Day, and your early vote will be counted just like the ones cast on Nov. 5. However, there won’t be any early election results announced, so you’ll still need to wait for the final count.
USC Fall Literary Festival 2024: Walter Mosley | 6 p.m. | USC Campus Room, Capstone Hall | Free | The acclaimed fiction writer is best known for his mystery novels, including those featuring detective Easy Rawlins.
Music Bingo | 7 p.m. | Village Idiot pizza | Free | Join Village Idiot pizza at its Olympia location for music bingo + pizza every Wednesday.
Wes Fulmer Collaboration Dinner | 6-8 p.m. | Hampton Street Vineyard | $125 | Wes Fulmer and Hampton Street Vineyard are collaborating on a four-course dinner paired with six wines from HSV’s deep cellar.
Thursday, Oct. 24
Not-so-Spooky Halloween Stroll | 2 p.m. | Richland County Public Library (Main Branch) | Free | Dress your family in their costumes and head downtown to celebrate Halloween with a trick-or-treat stroll through the library.
10 Minute Play Festival | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | University of South Carolina | $10 | Enjoy a fast-paced evening of laughter, heartbreak, and everything in between.
Historic Arcade Building Presents David Torn Live | 7:30-10 p.m. | Arcade Mall | $18 | Guitarist David Torn brings his “considered virtuosity” (Pitchfork) and “splinteringly Hendrixian” (The Guardian) music to Columbia for the first time ever.
Friday, Oct. 25
Frightmare on Main Street | 5-10 p.m. | Curiosity Coffee Bar | $10 | Stroll through a night of Halloween fun, music, prizes, local food, costumes, and more.
Saturday, Oct. 26
Brew Adoption Day | 10 a.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, Cayce | Free | Meet some amazing dogs and puppies available for foster and adoption during The Steel Hands Annual Halloween Party.
Jam Room Music Festival | 12-10 p.m. | Corner of Main and Hampton Streets | Free | The annual music festival returns to Columbia’s Main Street with headliners Real Estate, of Montreal, and Secret Agent 23 Skidoo, GRAMMY Award winners for Best Children’s Album.
Friday, November 1
Charlotte FC Home Playoff Match | Friday, Nov. 1 | 7:30-10 p.m. | Bank of America Stadium, 800 S. Mint St. , Charlotte | Join the party and watch Charlotte FC take on Orlando City in the MLS Cup Playoffs.*
đź‘Ź This inspiring podcast is celebrating 300 episodes
Presented by AMPLOS
You can listen to all past and upcoming episodes on the AMPLOS website, Apple Podcasts, and Spotify. | Photo provided by AMPLOS
Did you know? Only 1% of podcasts make it past their 20th episode. That’s why it’s a big deal that “The Growth Project” just hit its 300th episode.
This podcast was launched in 2017 by experts in sport and performance psychology from AMPLOS, and is an inspiring resource for personal + professional growth.
It offers practical advice for everyone from CEOS to athletes, and features interviews with guests like Clemson Tigers’ coach Dabo Swinney, Georgia Bulldogs’ coach Kirby Smart, NYT bestselling author Ryan Holiday, and many more.
South Carolina will retire A’ja Wilson’s jersey at Colonial Life Arena on Sunday, Feb. 2, prior to the Gamecocks’ game against Auburn. The Heathwood Hall grad was a four-time All-American and led the Gamecocks to their first NCAA title + set 22 program records. (Gamecocks Online)
Seasonal
The 39th annual Vista Lights returns on Thursday, Nov. 21 from 6-10 p.m. The family-friendly event will feature live music, performances, an artisan market, and a toy drive for Hurricane Helene relief.
Community
Downtown Lexington’s third annual Scarecrow Stroll features creative designs from over 35 local merchants. Visitors can pick up a map key along Main Street and vote for their favorite scarecrow via the Town of Lexington’s Facebook page until Wednesday, Oct. 30. (Cola Daily)
Concert
The Betsy Blackmon Dance Company at USC will perform its fall concert on Thursday and Friday, Nov. 7-8, at the Koger Center. The program will include ballet classics like La Bayadère and contemporary pieces by Colin Connor and Dwight Rhoden. The show begins at 7:30 p.m., with tickets priced at $15-$22, available online.
Try This
The 4th annual Blythewood Fall Championship Rodeo returns Friday and Saturday, Oct. 25-26 at the Prisma Health Arena. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and the rodeo starts at 7:30 p.m., featuring bronc riding, steer wrestling, barrel racing, and bull riding.
Sports
Here’s why it’s time for the Carolina Panthers to be sellers ahead of the NFL Trade deadline. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Arts
Swing into the holiday season with Boston Brass & the Brass All-Stars Big Band at Koger Center for the Arts on Sunday, Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. Enjoy fiery brass arrangements of holiday classics like “Greensleeves,” “Silent Night,” “Jingle Bells,” and more. Snag tix.*
Finance
Rates just dropped — now could be the time to tap into your home equity. Calculate your payment.*
Wellness
Inspired by ancient nutrition and modern science, MTE is designed to supercharge your energy, focus + productivity with clinically backed ingredients. Save $156 on your first order.*
Category
History
Witch way to the next clue?
Explore the interesting stories hidden in the historic Elmwood Cemetery.  | Photo by Historic Columbia
Unearth some history this Halloween. TalkDeath will host a Cemetery Scavenger Hunt at Columbia’s historic Elmwood Cemetery on Sunday, Oct. 27, starting at 2:30 p.m. encouraging people to appreciate + learn about the local cemetery and its history.
Just show up — no registration is needed. Arrive 10 minutes early and clues will be posted on TalkDeath’s Instagram, Facebook, and website.
Participants will hunt for symbolic monuments, historic names, and dates, snapping selfies along the way. Elmwood Cemetery, founded in 1854 and on the National Register of Historic Places, sets the scene with its unique graves, like the towering obelisk at prominent lawyer Benjamin Abney’s grave.
The 30-minute event ends at 3 p.m., with winners announced by 3:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for most clues found and creative photography. Happy hunting, and let us know what you learn.
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The Historic Elmwood Park neighborhood goes all out for Halloween, and every year I snap some photos to document the creative decorations. Some of these light up at night, so grab a sweet treat and take a little drive through the neighborhood. On Saturday, the neighborhood will host its annual Nightmare in Elmwood 5k, and on Halloween, the streets will close at 5 p.m. for trick or treating.
