Assembly Street in the snow in 1973 | Image via The State Newspaper Photograph Archive via Richland Library
Raise your hand if you remember Columbia’s great snowfall of 2010. In case you missed it (or were just a wee little snowflake at the time), here’s what happened: On Feb. 12, 2010, Soda Citizens got caught in a snowstorm, which began that afternoon + lasted into the next morning, bringing in 8.6 inches of fresh powder in total.
While the day did bring its fair share of grief, like thousands of power outages + a few car accidents, it’s certain that residents also celebrated the snowfall with plenty of snowball fights, hot chocolate making, and snowman building.
Here are some more snowtable fast facts about Columbia’s relationship with snow days:
Sip and Plant Workshop: Wreath Decorating | 6:30-8 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost, Cottontown | $55 | Create the perfect holiday gift and decoration by beautifying an organically sourced wreath.
Holiday Market | Wednesday, Dec. 18 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Richland Library Main | Free | Browse a charming array of handmade crafts, artisanal goods, and seasonal décor from local vendors.
Greek Dinner Night | Thursdays, Dec. 5-Jan. 16 | 5-9 p.m. | Sour & Salt Bakery | $16 | Order online for pick-up, delivery, or join in for a family-style meal.
Saturday, Dec. 21
Stroller Tour: French Moderns | 10:30-11:30 a.m. | Columbia Museum of Art | Free with admission or membership | Fussy, crying, or wiggly babies are welcome.
Sunday, Dec. 22
“Nutcracker” — South Carolina Ballet | Sunday, Dec. 22 | Times vary | Koger Center for the Arts | $35+ | Enjoy a magical holiday evening filled with ballet, romance, and a festive classic.
“Coastal Predators 4D” | Opening Dec. 26 | See dolphins, sharks, whales, and seals converge along the breathtaking South African coast for a feeding frenzy of epic proportions.
Morelia Ice Cream Paletas is coming soon to Forest Acres and will be located next to Flour Power Cooking Studios. The gourmet Mexican ice cream shop is known for its handmade pops made with natural ingredients. An opening date is to be determined.
Development
Addressing the railroads in Columbia has been in rotation at city council meetings for years, and SCDOT is currently floating three ideas. Whether it’s bridges, abandoning portions of the tracks, or going around them, the plans are still in the design phase. (The State)
Development
Speaking of development, restructuring and developing South Main Street has been in the works since 2017, and plans to wrap up by summer of 2025. The goal? Uniting local businesses with USC’s campus while promoting a pedestrian-friendly atmosphere. (The State)
Number
$99.6 million — that’s the amount Cardiff Products Corporation could invest in Lexington County, bringing ~100 jobs. The Canadian-based + plant-based beverage packing company will build a new manufacturing facility in West Columbia’s Saxe Gotha Industrial Park, where Amazon is located. (The Post and Courier)
Arts
Luke Hodges, a USC alum from the Department of English Language and Literature, co-produced a new documentary, “Cashing Out.” The film highlights the “AIDS profiteering” industry during the AIDS crisis and had its world premiere at the Provincetown International Film Festival last June.
Sports
The Clemson Tigers will face the Texas Longhorns in the College Football Playoffs. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Clemson Tigerswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Feel Good
Caffeine and community engagement. Those are the things that fuel our days here at COLAtoday. Donate now to support your COLAtoday team so we can continue to bring you this free, daily newsletter chock-full of local need-to-knows, upcoming events, city news, and more.
Older Adults
Finding the perfect gift can be challenging — but transitioning to retirement shouldn’t be. This holiday season, give your family peace of mind by gifting them your retirement moving plan while you’re still living independently. Discover local options.*
Holiday Pick
Looking for the perfect adult stocking stuffer? The SC Education Lottery has a fun lineup of Holiday Scratch-Offs featuring festive ticket art and cash prizes. Psst… You must be 18+ to play. Check off another gift.*
These best-selling men’s flannel pajama pants are comfortable, warm, and soft to the touch. Hello, new favorite pants of the season.*
Category
Sports
We’ll dink to that
The PPA Challenger Series event is estimated to bring in around $700,000 of revenue to the Columbia area. | Photo provided by Experience Columbia SC
PICKLE! The Professional Pickleball Association is partnering with Experience Columbia SC and the Lexington County Recreation + Aging Commission to host the inaugural season of the Challenger Series Powered by JOOLA — a tournament for amateur and aspiring professional pickleball players — in Columbia.
Over the weekend of March 28-30, pickleball players across America will come to the new Cayce Pickleball Complex at Henry C. Moore Park and pro divisions will compete for a prize pool of $10,000.
Get involved
Think you’ve got what it takes? Read through the tournament details and register by:
Picking your event (Men’s or Women’s Singles, Mixed Doubles, or Men’s or Women’s Doubles)
Determining your skill level
Completing registration
“We are super excited about our grand opening of this brand-new pickleball facility in Lexington County and we can think of no better way to kick it off than by partnering with ECSC Sports and the PPA Tour,” said Brian Clary, director of tennis/pickleball operations at the Lexington County Recreation + Aging Commission.
The Buy
The Buy
A pair of high waisted joggers. They’re constructed with ultra-soft modal fabric, making them perfect for casual hangouts with friends + family over the holidays.
With winter + the holidays around the corner, many local businesses have released seasonal menus, including Piecewise Coffee Co. I tried the rosemary and mint latte. If you like a cup of Joe that isn’t too sweet but still gives you a hint of mint and the aroma of rosemary as you sip, this is the seasonal drink for you. Check out the rest of its winter menu and order it hot or iced.
}})
