Williams Street in the Vista currently ends in front of the Girl Scouts of South Carolina - Mountains to Midlands headquarters. | Photo by COLAtoday
If you’ve ever turned down Williams Street in the Vista, you know it just… ends. That could soon change. A new multi-phase city project would extend the road from Blossom to Senate Street, adding sidewalks, bike lanes, and riverfront access on Columbia’s side of the Congaree.
ColaWalkBike supports a pedestrian-first vision, while Congaree Riverkeeper has emphasized protecting the river, floodplain, and Kinsler Creek. That message came through at Monday’s public meeting, where city officials detailed phase one plans and the environmental review process. Nearby residents raised concerns about traffic and the impact of new development on the narrow street.
Next up? The Planning Commission is set to review the project on Thursday, July 10. In the meantime, public comment is open through Monday, June 23 at 5 p.m.
Events
Events
Wednesday, June 18
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.
Forest Acres Farmers Market | 2-6 p.m. | Gills Creek Memorial Park | Free | Browse local farmers and artisans bringing fruit, produce, eggs, meats, honey, dog treats, and more.
Lexington County Blowfish vs. Macon Bacon | 7:05 p.m. | Lexington County Baseball Stadium, Lexington | $11 | It’s “SC is the REAL Peach State Night,” where the Blowfish serve up sass (and hand out peaches) as they take on the team from Georgia.
Thursday, June 19
Juneteenth at the CMA | 10 a.m.-8 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art | Free | Join guided tours of both exhibitions at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., led by Dr. Nancy Tolson, CMA commissioner and USC’s Assistant Director of African American Studies.
Meet the Author & Illustrator: Breanna J. McDaniel & April Harrison | 6-7:30 p.m. | Columbia Children’s Theatre | Free | Join this creative duo as they discuss their careers, collaboration, and their award-winning children’s book “Go Forth and Tell: The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller.”
Friday, June 20
Arts & Draughts | 6-10 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art | $15 | Party with art, live music, food trucks, hands-on activities, and late-night museum vibes.
The south end of Riverfront Park at 312 Laurel St. is temporarily closed for asphalt replacement and concrete upgrades near the Columbia Canal. The area will reopen Saturday, June 21. In the meantime, guests can visit the north end of the park, Granby Park, or Saluda Riverwalk.
Community
Cayce’s $10 million Avenues Drainage Project is now underway to reduce flooding across the neighborhood. To ease disruptions, city officials launched a website with alerts, mailers, and a resident hotline. Construction will continue into 2026.
Sports
Columbia native and Gamecock standout Collin Murray‑Boyles is heading to the NBA Draft green room in New York on Wednesday, June 25. He’s one of 19 players invited so far and is ranked No. 14 on ESPN’s big board. (ESPN)
Eat
City Limits Barbeque came up just shy of a James Beard win, with owner Robbie Robinson named a finalist for Best Chef: Southeast for the second year in a row. Pro tip: On Sundays, the West Columbia barbecue joint offers a “Sandy’s style” slaw dog, honoring the bygone Midlands chain. (The State)
Civic
Forest Acres City Council is weighing upgrades for Citadel Park after Hurricane Helene downed 20 trees. The city shared a rendering of proposed improvements, which include new tree plantings, shade structures, and repairs to damaged surfaces and equipment. The public can weigh in at the Tuesday, July 8 council meeting.
Try This
The SC State Museum’s weekly Summer Curator Spotlight series continues Friday, June 20 at 12:30 p.m. with Dr. Ramon Jackson discussing the “Matriarchs of the Lowcountry” portrait series and recent African American history acquisitions. Each Friday features a new curator and object from SC’s collection.
Does your business have an upcoming event? Promote it in COLAtoday. Head to our self-service ad portal to find an option that works for your budget — from eye-catching banner ads to engaging social posts.
Home
Still climbing ladders to clean your gutters? HomeBuddy installs premium gutter guards in just a few hours — and it’s 100% no-clog guaranteed. See your local offer.*
Environment
Help keep our community clean — Richland County offers free pet waste stations to residents, neighborhoods, HOAs, businesses, churches, and more. You install and maintain it, they provide the rest. Apply online or call (803)-929-6000 and ask for the Stormwater Outreach Coordinator.*
Category
🎆 Red, white, and boom
Scout out your spot to watch the fireworks blast off over the Lake Murray Dam. | Photo by COLAtoday
Lake Murray’s 37th annual Independence Day Celebration lights up the sky Saturday, June 28, with SC’s largest fireworks show. At dark (around 9:15 p.m.), twin displays will launch from Spence and Dreher Islands, set to patriotic music on 93.1 The Lake and streamed live on WIS News 10.
The best views? By boat or from Dreher Island State Park ($3 adults, $1.50 seniors, $1 kids). The fireworks highlight a weekend of “Spirit of Americana” events, including the Great Race Grand Finish in Irmo the following day, Sunday, June 29, where vintage cars will roll into Moore Park.
Heads up: The annual boat parade is on pause this year due to dam construction. In case of thunderstorms, the fireworks will shift to Sunday. If you Google Lake Murray fireworks and see something about a cancellation, that’s San Diego. Ours in the Midlands is full steam ahead.
The Buy
A reversible couch cover that’s waterproof, machine washable, and pet hair resistant. Bonus: It seamlessly converts into an outdoor blanket.
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.
“Baptize that chicken.” That’s the newly trademarked catchphrase of Midlands “country exotic” cook Bernard Hardison, whose deep-fried cooking videos have earned him 1.9 million Instagram followers. You can try his viral food — baptized in piping hot oil — on Saturday, July 26 at the Looka That Festival Right There at the Historic Columbia Speedway in Cayce.
}})
