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🇺🇸 Observe Memorial Day around Columbia
If heading out to Lake Murray this weekend, be aware of increased boat traffic and exercise safety precautions. | Image via @scroughriders
Monday, May 26, is Memorial Day, which is observed on the last Monday in May every year to honor the brave men + women who have died while serving our country in the US Military.
Here are six ways to observe Memorial Day around Columbia, beginning this weekend.
Saturday, May 24
5th annual Memorial Day Remembrance | 3-5:30 p.m. | South Congaree Arena, West Columbia | Free | Participate in a Memorial Day tribute to fallen soldiers with special performances and recognitions.
Sunday, May 25
Palmetto Concert Band | 4 p.m. | Koger Center for the Arts | Free | Listen to a performance honoring members of the U.S. Armed Forces, comprised of professional and semi-professional musicians from throughout SC, NC, and GA.
Monday, May 26
Plaque unveiling at Williams-Brice Stadium | 10 a.m. | Free | Honor the Gamecocks who made the ultimate sacrifice at a special unveiling of a newly installed plaque that pays tribute to their courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacy.
South Carolina is home to how many venomous snake species?
Memorial Day is the unofficial start to summer — especially with this SC heat — but with warmer weather comes cold-blooded critters. Do you know your local reptile trivia?
Bollywood Beats + Balance | 5:30-7 p.m. | The Dens | Free | Hotel Trundle is partnering with Angela Sellers to host a free, soul-soothing evening celebrating Indian culture through mindful movement and music.
Monty Python’s Spamalot | Thursday, May 22-Sunday, June 1 | Times vary | Town Theatre | $25 | Join King Arthur and his absurdly loyal knights on a quest for the Holy Grail.
Taste of the Track | 12 p.m. | Carolina Motorsports Park, Kershaw | $149 | Get an introduction to what it feels like to drive on a professionally designed race track in your car.
Steel Hands Woodstock | 1-9 p.m. | Steel Hands Brewing, Cayce | Free | Party like it’s the Summer of ’69 with live music in the outdoor beer gardens.
Desert Dreams: Runway & Summer Party | 6:30-10 p.m. | Coble Plaza, 209 Gervais St. | $55 | Enjoy a perfect mix of runway, fashion, food, drinks, and fun for a night to remember with friends.
Memorial Day marks the beginning of the recreational swim season for the City of Columbia’s outdoor pools and splash pads/spray pools. Maxcy Gregg Pool + Greenview Pool will open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. The recreational swim season will remain open until Monday, Sept. 1.
Open
The Town of Lexington hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony last week for its first antique store, Reuben Wade’s Antiques. The antique store is located on Main Street next to Private Property + specializes in pre-Civil War items. (Lexington Chronicle)
Number
29 — that’s the number of games Gamecock baseball lost this season. 24 of those games were against SEC teams, making it the worst season in over 130 years. The State reported that Paul Mainieri will remain head coach next year, despite backlash from Gamecock fans.(The State + Post and Courier)
Biz
Homanit, a wood materials manufacturer, is investing $250 million to establish operations in Clarendon County. The investment will create 300 new jobs, and operations are expected to be online in 2028.
Holiday
DNR urges locals to exercise boat safety and shared that they expect higher traffic on waterways this weekend. Double-check safety gear, make sure everyone is fitted with a life jacket, and extra law enforcement will be patrolling. (WLTX)
Listen
South Carolina’s baseball season comes to an end. Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the South Carolina Gamecockswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Number
$4,000. That’s how much an ounce of gold is expected to cost in 2026. And since gold thrives in unstable markets, its rally appears far from over.Check out gold IRAs, which let you own physical gold while taking advantage of IRA tax breaks.†*
Community
When it rains, it pollutes. Stormwater carries trash, chemicals, and pet waste straight into our rivers — the same ones that supply your drinking water (read: what goes down the drain could end up in your glass). Do your part by keeping drains clear and always pick up after your pet. Learn more.*
Category
Civic
🚜 How Public Works works
The development of the Five Points parking lot. | Photo via City of Columbia, SC Public Works
It’s National Public Works Week, and this year’s theme is “People, Purpose, Presence.” The City of Columbia wanted to join in on a trend + honor the public works professionals to serve in their communities every day in style.
If there are any citizens out there curious about how Public Works works in Richland County, we’re here to help — and so are they. The Public Works Department performs daily tasks that support the infrastructural maintenance, repairs, and improvement of 836 miles of the County Road Maintenance System.
What does that look like?
Road Maintenance and Repair | Think: filling in potholes, smaller paving jobs, curb and gutter maintenance, sidewalk repairs, and more.
Drainage Maintenance | Think: clearing of pipes, reinforcing concrete in pipes, installation of drainage pipes, and more.
Traffic Control and Traffic Safety | Think: installing stop signs, speed humps, road painting, and other traffic operations.
The SC State Museum also announced the return of its Blue Star Museums Program, a national appreciation program to thank military families for their service. Active military and their families can enjoy free general admission to the museum through Labor Day, Sept. 1.
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