The drone show lights up the night after select Fireflies home games. | Photo via Columbia Fireflies
The Fireflies are rebranding as their alter ego, Los Chicharrones de Columbia, this weekend, Friday through Sunday, June 13-15, as part of Minor League Baseball’s Copa de la Diversión — a nationwide celebration of Hispanic and Latino culture.
Highlights include music from Latin Caravan each night, chicken flautas as the featured ballpark bite, and a Sugar Skull Bobblehead giveaway Friday night. After the game, stick around for a 100-drone light show.
Saturday brings flamenco dancers and fireworks, while Sunday wraps things up with Father’s Day fun: a vintage car show, autograph session, and kids running the bases.
Pro tip: Snag the 4 for $54 deal for Friday night — it gets you four tickets, hot dogs, and drinks.
Events
Events
Monday, June 9
Southeastern Piano Festival | 1-2 p.m. | Koger Center | Free | Bring your lunch and enjoy an informal concert in the lobby from the rising artists studying piano at USC.
Morning Blend: A Jazz, Soul, and Coffee Series | 7:30-10:30 a.m. | Columbia Museum of Art | Free | Relax with jazz music, local coffee from Curiosity Coffee Bar, and vegan breakfast options from Drake’s Duck-in.
Build It Better with the Three Little Pigs | 3-4 p.m. | Richland Library Main | Free | The wee piggies work together to keep the Big Bad Wolf at bay in this performance from the Columbia Marionette Theatre.
Thursday, June 12
Historic Horseshoe History Tour | 12-1 p.m. | University of South Carolina | Free | University Archivist Elizabeth West shares the history of Carolina and its traditions.
Kids can meet their favorite characters all in one place during Mascot Day. | Photo provided by EdVenture
Calling all kids (and kids at heart).
National Mascot Day is Tuesday, June 17, and EdVenture is celebrating with an exciting meet-and-greet event featuring popular characters from Columbia and beyond. From sports to schools, there will be a mascot for everyone. It’s going to be epic.
During the Mascot Meetup, happening from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the museum, families can:
Interact with their favorite local mascots (bring your best high-fives, fist-bumps, and dance moves).
Columbia’s getting a big assist. Brazilian soccer club Fluminense FC will train at USC’s Stone Stadium ahead of the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. The team takes on Borussia Dortmund on Tuesday, June 17 in New Jersey. Training sessions are closed. (WLTX)
Outdoors
Yes, there are gators in Columbia’s rivers — and now there’s a guide for that. SCDNR launched GatorWise to help folks coexist with alligators in spots like the Congaree, Broad, and Columbia Canal. Rule No. 1: Assume they’re there. Rule No. 2: Don’t feed them.
Shop
West Columbia’s summer artisan market is back. The Meeting Street Artisan Market Summer Series runs Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Interactive Art Park near State Street through August, except the week of July 4.
Read
Ashley Poston’s newest novel, “Sounds Like Love,” drops Tuesday, June 17 — and it’s already landing on summer must-read lists from The New York Times, People, and more. The Midlands author weaves a magical story about two musicians linked by an unexplainable connection.
Mansion Monday
Pull up to a fountain at this lakefront stunner in Spence Plantation on Lake Murray. This 6700-sqft home features a saltwater pool, sauna, home theater, and chef’s kitchen — all made for relaxing weekends or hosting friends.
The Congaree Riverkeeper hosts several clean-up events throughout the year. | Photo by COLAtoday
Fishing is a great way to get outside, whether you make it a family affair or use it as an oppor-tuna-ty to snag some much-needed alone time out in nature. Don’t know where to go? We put together a list of local fishing spots + resources for you to have a reely good time while you fish around Columbia.
The Saluda stretches ~170 miles throughout SC and hosts a variety of species.
One of the popular + easy access points for this river can be found at Saluda Shoals Park, located at 5605 Bush River Rd. Pro tip: purchase a Fisherman’s Pass, allowing visitors 24/7 entry for $80 a year.
Hope Ferry Landing, located at 1047 Hope Ferry Rd., Lexington, is another popular fishing spot + free to visitors.
The perfect athleisure tennis dress, available in summer colors like pink sorbet, iconic black, and heated red. Our favorite part: A built-in medium-support shelf bra and built-in shorts with a pocket.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
Keep your eyes out for the new West Columbia mural in Triangle City. The new mural is located on the side of Creative Sewing Machine Center, just across from Zesto and the iconic cone in the sky.
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