This sign makes us feel just peachy. | Photo courtesy of Gilbert Community Club
Something sweet is coming to Gilbert. The Lexington County Peach Festival returns Friday, July 4. And it’s celebrating the ripe old age of 65.
The itinerary
The all-day event starts at 9 a.m. at Gilbert Community Park. Here are some of the highlights:
Kick off the day with a peach parade at 9:30 a.m. — but get there early to nab a good spot.
Shop 150+ vendors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Jam out to live Americana, folk, and roots music at the Gilbert Community Park Amphitheater. See the lineup.
Enjoy the fireworks show at 9:15 p.m.
Plus, there will be limited-edition peach treats and carnival rides all day.
Parking
Festival parking is $5, with proceeds benefiting local student groups. Check out the map to pick your parking spot.
Events
Events
Wednesday, July 2
Ask the Gardener Happy Hour | 4-6 p.m. | Gardener’s Outpost | Free | Grab a drink and chat with an expert about how to keep your garden thriving in all this heat.
Thursday, July 3
Fireworks with the Phil | 8 p.m. | Segra Park | $12+ | Enjoy this patriotic concert with a fireworks finale timed to the “1812 Overture” — heads up that the date changed due to weather.
Friday, July 4
Lake Wateree State Park Fireworks | 5-10 p.m. | Lake Wateree State Park | Free with park admission | Bring something to sit on for this stunning fireworks display.
Born in the USA Four Miler | 7:04 p.m. | Corner of Trenholm Road and Forest Drive | $45+ | Baby, we were born to run in this race, which features a $100 cash prize for those who are fast enough.
Saturday, July 5
Columbia Anime & Video Game Expo | Saturday, July 5-Sunday, July 6 | Times vary | Jamil Temple | $17+ | It’s game on at this convention featuring 100+ vendors, celebrity guests, panels, and a free-play arcade.
Several former Gamecocks will play in the WNBA All-Star Game on Saturday, July 19. A’ja Wilson, Aliyah Boston, and Allisha Gray were all selected as starters. And you know Dawn Staley had to flex on them — make sure to tune in on ABC, Disney+, and ESPN+.
Travel
Good news for traveling parents. Columbia Metropolitan Airport has two new amenity rooms. A lactation room and family restroom are now available in the Commuter Lounge. Take a look.
Seasonal
Get your prize-winning pig ready. Registration is now open for the SC State Fair’s competitive exhibits — think: 4-H showmanship, livestock, flowers, and art. Sign up online.
Plan Ahead
Have you tried Historic Columbia’s Free Sundays yet? Step back in time and explore one of Columbia’s oldest homes with free guided tours offered every third Sunday. On Sunday, July 20, starting at 1 p.m., learn about the Hampton-Preston Mansion and the people who shaped it, all while enjoying the lush historic gardens.
Art
Calling all local artists. You have less than a month to submit your work to The Koger Center Project — an annual art competition showcasing SC talent. Submission is free.
Pets
Columbia Animal Services now offers $10 microchipping. It’s a good idea to chip your pets ahead of the Fourth of July — it helps get them home if they run away. Head to 127 Humane Ln., Monday-Friday from noon to 5 p.m.
Listen
The Free Agency and Re-Sign Phase for the NHL is finally here. But what’s in store for the Carolina Hurricanes? Go beyond the scoreboard and behind the scenes of the Carolina Hurricaneswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Home
Give your Fourth of July party an unforgettable shine with $50 off when you bundle driveway and sidewalk cleaning from Ford & Sims Pressure Washing, now through the end of the month. It’s a great way to get your space sparkling — whether you’re prepping for guests or cleaning up after the fireworks.*
Featured Deal
Planet Fitness is currently offering memberships for $1 down and $15 a month through July 11. The deal is available to new members who join in-club, online, or in the app (additional fees and restrictions may apply) — check with your nearby Planet Fitness for more information.*
Number
1 million. That’s how many working professionals subscribe to Superhuman AI to learn the latest AI skills, tools, and news. Sign up for free.*
Category
The Buy
Save up to 70% at local restaurants, spas, museums, gyms, and more with curated deals from Groupon. New deals appear every day so you can discover your next “why-didn’t-we-do-this-sooner” at the click of a button.
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.
How many tons of peaches does South Carolina produce during a good year?
Y’all know your peaches. Nearly 60% of our readers knew that SC can produce up to 90,000 tons of peaches annually.
Compare that to the measly ~40,000 tons Georgia manages.
The Wrap
The Wrap
I like creepy crawlers and weird critters. So this video of horseshoe crabs at the South Carolina Aquarium really did it for me.
According to the aquarium, “Over 440 million years ago, horseshoe crabs hit the evolutionary jackpot and have remained virtually unchanged throughout the millennia.”
Fast forward to today, and now you can get your hands on evolutionary excellence at the aquarium’s new touch tank experience.
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