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🚡 What’s up with the Saluda Skyride?
This is what your journey could look like on the Saluda Skyride. | Rendering via Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is soaring to new heights with the Saluda Skyride, an aerial gondola that’s under construction. Currently, towers stand on both sides of the Saluda River for the development that will connect the zoo and botanical garden.
The aerial lift is set to open later this year and will give riders a bird’s-eye view of the Saluda River + its surrounding areas. While we can’t see those panoramic views yet, we can take a look at some of the project’s numbers:
2.5 minutes — the duration of the ride
19 — the number of cabins, each with capacity to hold eight passengers
1,600 — how many riders can be transported per hour
The transit ride is part of phase 2 of the Zoo’s Bridge to the Wild project that anticipates having a $175 million annual impact on the local economy.
Oscar Shorts 2025: Animation | Friday, Feb. 28-Wednesday, March 5 | Times vary | The Nick | $10 | Toon in to the five short films nominated for the Academy Award in the animation category.
Love Letters to Black Musicians Listening Party | 2-4 p.m. | Richland Library Southeast | Free | Listen to music and celebrate Black musicians with history, trivia, and light refreshments.
“Puccini PLUS” featuring Gianni Schicchi | Friday, Feb. 28-Sunday, March 2 | Times vary | Drayton Hall Theatre | $25+ | This comic opera tells the tale of a scheming, ingenious peasant trying to cash in on an old man’s vulnerability.
Saturday, March 1
Pups + Pints Adoption Event | 12-3 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, Cayce | Free | Meet adoptable dogs, feed them treats, and bring donations to support local animal services.
15th Annual Mardi Gras Columbia Parade + Festival | 12-7 p.m. | City Roots | $10 | Celebrate this grassroots festival with three stages of live music, beads, food trucks, and Abita beer — kicked off by a free parade in Rosewood.
Killer Queen | 8 p.m. | The Township Auditorium | $45+ | Break free with this Queen tribute where Patrick Myers will rock you as he portrays Freddie Mercury.
Sunday, March 2
Columbia Girls Who Walk: Lake Murray Dam Walk | 11 a.m. | Lake Murray Public Park | Free | Join the walking club as you trek this 3.6-mile trail, and make new friends in the process.
Clemson Tigers vs. USC Gamecocks Baseball | 5 p.m. | Founders Park | $76+ | Catch this SC showdown on the baseball diamond — the first 1,000 fans will receive a free Rally Towel.
Art Charleston is centered around innovation and fashion this year. | Photos by MCG Photography
Ready for a Lowcountry road trip? Immerse yourself in the Holy City’s creative culture during Art Charleston, happening Wednesday, April 23–Sunday, April 27 at The Gibbes Museum of Art.
The five-day festival highlights the visual arts with:
Signature events including the Art of Design Luncheon, Gibbes on the Street, Sew Surreal Fashion Show, and Artisan Fair
Earlier this week, crews broke ground on an affordable housing development in the historic Lower Waverly/Martin Luther King community. The revitalization project will construct four houses on vacant lots and expects first-time homebuyers will move in to the completed dwellings.
Environment
Richland County has partnered with the SC Department of Commerce + Scout Motors to launch a conservation project benefiting areas around the Congaree River. The effort will protect 5,000 acres at the COWASEE Basin in addition to aiding a streams preservation project at Sumter National Forest.
Health
Prisma Health’s Cancer Institute hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of its Midlands Radiation Oncology clinic. The new Columbia office is part of a network that treats 8,000+ patients annually, and it hopes to enhance offerings while keeping treatment closer to home. (WACH)
Transit
Columbia Metropolitan Airport will host CAE’s AirSafe, its internal emergency training, on Thursday, March 6. The educational drills are conducted every third year to prepare staff + partners to respond to incidents quickly. On the day of training, passersby may see smoke, fire, or emergency vehicles at the airport.
Award
The SC Department of Agriculture has awarded its inaugural crop of Fresh on the Menu People’s Choice Awards, given to restaurants committed to using local ingredients. The votes were tallied, and five SC restaurants received the honor, including The Mediterranean Cafe in Lexington representing the Midlands.
Plan Ahead
Grillmasters, get ready. The Doko Ribfest Cook-Off is returning to Blythewood for its sixth year on Saturday, March 8. The saucy celebration will feature $2.50 rib tastings as chefs compete for prizes, but there will also be music, vendors, and family activities. (Cola Daily)
Sports
Preview the USC vs. Clemson baseball series that kicks off today with a game at Doug Kingsmore Stadium. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the South Carolina Gamecockswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Community
Calling all book lovers and friendly faces:Read Freely Fest is looking for volunteers (18+) to make this festival one for the books. From assisting with book signings and info tables to helping with setup, breakdown, and more — there are plenty of ways to lend a hand. Sign up here.*
Have a young artist in your household? The CMA is offering a variety of unique camps this summer for teens and kids ages 4+. Registration opens to the public on Tuesday, March 4 (with priority registration for members through March 3). See FAQs.*
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🥚 Columbia’s egg hunt
If you find eggs at Trader Joe’s, consider yourself lucky. | Photo via COLAtoday
If you’re scrambling to find eggs in Columbia, you’re not alone. Prices are increasing across the US due to impacts from bird flu; the national average for a dozen large, white eggs recently hit a record-breaking $8.07.
Columbia has felt the impact of the egg shortage, but you’ll likely pay less than the national average for eggs — if you can find them. Here are some prices for a dozen large, white eggs we spotted this week:
Lowes Foods (Forum Drive) — $5.59
Publix (Trenholm Plaza) — $5.53
Kroger (Two Notch Road) — $4.99
The Fresh Market (Forest Drive) — $4.99
Trader Joe’s (Forest Drive) — $3.49
Eggs are likely to get more eggspensive before prices come down, but you could try browsing local farmers markets to try finding eggs, or mix it up by purchasing a different ingredient. This could also be an opportunity to try quail eggs, which are available at Manchester Farms.
The Buy
The Buy
An at-home golf simulator. Get back in the game before golf season starts with $100 off a Phigolf Home Golf Game Simulator, which comes with a sensor that can fit into your own clubs and 38,000+ GPS-mapped golf courses to play. Fun fact: It was successfully funded on Kickstarter.
Can I let you in on a secret? I love The Baked Bear, and the company is celebrating Customer Appreciation Day tomorrow with free scoops at all of its stores — including the Harden Street location. Plus, the weather looks great for the occasion; my forecast is reading sunny with a chance of cookie dough.
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