19 fun-filled local summer camps | Keep your kiddos engaged this summer with camps and programs for science, outdoors, and the arts.
An introvert’s guide to Columbia | Looking to break out of your comfort zone as an introvert? Follow your interests and partake in these groups and gatherings.
Irish Fest Camden | 10 a.m.-5 p.m. | Kershaw County Airport, Camden | $20 | Enjoy live music, food, and Irish culture at Camden’s biggest Irish festival.
Oscar Shorts 2025: Live Action | Saturday, March 1-Sunday, March 2 | Times vary | The Nick | $10 | Check out all five Academy Award-nominated short films in the live-action category back-to-back.
Mardi Gras Columbia Parade and Festival | 12-7 p.m. | City Roots | $10 | Celebrate at this locals’ favorite grassroots festival ft. three stages of live music, beads, food trucks, Abita beer, and more, kicked off by a free parade in Rosewood.
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.
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 | $65+ | Catch this SC showdown on the baseball diamond, plus the first 1,000 fans will receive a free rally towel.
Telephobia. It’s a word to describe the fear some people — primarily Generation Z — have of making or getting phone calls. If your friend would prefer the written word over a call, send them this newsletter as a subtle message that you’d like to hang out this weekend. (CNBC)
Drink
Starbucks will cut 13 drinks from its offerings next week, with plans to shrink its menu by 30% by September. If you were faithful to the Chocolate Cookie Crumble Crème Frappuccino (say that five times fast), find your fix at a local coffee shop instead. (Business Insider)
Festival
Tickets to the second Fyre Festival, “Fyre 2,” went on sale earlier this week. According to the website, a $1,400+ ticket will get you access to a currently unannounced lineup of musical artists + activities like extreme sports and wellness events — or, you could play it safe and just grab tickets to St. Pat’s in Five Points.
Closing
In case you missed it, Joann Fabrics is closing all of its stores — including its Columbia location. After shopping the Joann discounts, you can find us hitting up local fabric stores like Forest Lake Fabrics. (Fast Company)
Sports
Cue the brass bonanza, it’s Whalers night. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Hurricaneswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
City Guide
City Guide
🗓️ Get your planner ready
A masked luchador hypes up the crowd at Segra Park’s Taco & Margarita Festival. | Photo via Columbia Fireflies
Lucky you. You just found COLAtoday’s Plan Ahead, a list of some of the biggest events taking place throughout Columbia each month.
Take out your calendar, grab your day planner, or text all your friends — these are the top events we recommend heading into March.
Festivals
Cottontown Art Crawl | Saturday, March 8 | 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Historic Cottontown Neighborhood | Free | Browse nearly 200 artists + live music, delicious food trucks, and interactive art experience.
St. Pat’s in Five Points | Saturday, March 15 | 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. | Five Points | The Southeast’s largest one-day St. Patrick’s Day celebration returns with a stacked lineup of live music, a 5K race, and a parade down Devine Street.
Read Freely Fest | Friday, March 28-Sunday, March 30 | Times vary | Richland Library Main | Free | Hear from bestselling author and join panels from emerging voices, performances, and interactive activities.
Seasonal events
Ramadan Night Market | Thursday, March 6 | 5-8 p.m. | Boyd Plaza at Columbia Museum of Art | Free | Shop with handicraft and clothing vendors or grab a post-sunset dinner from local food trucks.
Happy Saturday, Cola. I’m getting ready to attend the Mardi Gras Festival at City Roots this afternoon for a day of fun in the sun. I’m excited to see Admiral Radio perform and hear new tunes from their new album “Home Tonight.”
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