Imagine this: It’s a Carolina game day, and the skyline is glowing garnet as fans of the opposing team come to town. Come June, it shifts to a rainbow for Pride. On Veterans Day, it beams red, white, and blue. That’s the vision behind Tripp Roche’s lighting initiative — and it’s starting to take shape.
The 20-year-old Columbian has been rallying support for programmable LED lighting on downtown buildings. Inspired by Charlotte’s skyline and Capstone’s celebratory glow, Tripp wants Columbia to have its own visual identity — one that reflects the spirit of the city year-round.
He’s already working with building owners, the City of Columbia, USC, and organizations like One Columbia and the Audubon Society. The goal is to light up the skyline 20–25 times per year, with themes tied to local events, nonprofit causes, and city pride to help activate the community.
“I don’t want it to be, ‘Tripp Roche decided what the skyline lights up for.’ I want the people to decide,” said Roche.
So we asked. Scroll down to see what you said.
Events
Events
Friday, Aug. 8
Food Truck Friday | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | 2300 Bull St. (REI Co-op parking lot) | Price of purchase | This week’s lineup features Calabash Caribbean Grill, La Dolce Vita Pizza, Mama’s Taste of the World, and Wise Squeezed Lemonade.
Artists for Africa’s 13th Annual Performance Series Event | 7 p.m. | The Township Auditorium | $25+ | Dancers from New York City Ballet, Columbia Repertory Dance Company, South Carolina Ballet and more will perform, alongside a silent auction — all proceeds benefit arts education in Kenya.
Saturday, Aug. 9
Soda City Market | 9 a.m.-1 p.m. | Main Street | Free | Browse this lively downtown market to find local artisans, businesses, and food vendors — rain or shine.
Learn Freely Fest 2025 | 2-5 p.m. | Richland Library Main | Free | Choose from more than a dozen fun and informative sessions – make crafts, play games, get active, explore library resources, and pick up some good-to-know life skills.
The McKoy Brothers Band | Bill’s Music Shop, West Columbia | Suggested Donation | Head to the pickin’ parlor to hear San Diego’s homegrown California Southern fried rock band.
Sunday, Aug. 10
Burn, Barre, Breathe Workout | 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | Craft And Draft Irmo | $40 | Your ticket for the 90-minute workout includes a choice of beverage to be enjoyed after the event.
The Front Row Brunch | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | The Mansion on Blanding | $61+ | This luxe brunch experience for creatives and entrepreneurs includes a champagne lounge welcome drink, passed hors d’oeuvres, brand activations, and a live DJ.
The Revue At 1626: Drag Brunch Edition | 12-3 p.m. | The Venue |1626 on Main | $13 | Snack on brunch delicacies while a stellar cast of queens and live beats by DJ Alonzo keep you entertained.
Na’cho Margarita has opened its second location in Lexington, replacing RF’s Corner Grill. The seafood-forward Mexican restaurant offers shrimp and octopus towers, fundidos, and nearly 30 lunch specials under $10. (The State)
Festival
The first-ever Batesburg-Leesville Brew Fest kicks off tomorrow with unlimited tastings from regional breweries, food trucks, and live music. The $39 ticketed event, hosted by Homeland Craft Beer & Wine, celebrates local flavor and small-town pride.
Award
Gamecock football edge rusher Dylan Stewart was named to The Sporting News’ preseason All-America first team. The sophomore earned freshman All-America honors last year and is now on watch lists for major national awards. USC opens the season Sunday, Aug. 31 vs. Virginia Tech.
Number
$107 million — that’s how much USC Athletics and the Gamecock Club raised in 2024–25, a record-breaking total that includes the largest single gift in program history. The milestone more than doubles the previous major gift record and supports scholarships, facilities, and student-athletes.
Cause
Westinghouse Electric Co. donated $45,000 to Richland One schools to support STEM programs, supplies, and student awards for the 2025–26 school year. The gift comes from its Columbia Fuel Fabrication Facility, which has operated in Lower Richland County since 1968.
Traffic
USC move-in begins this weekend, and the downtown area is bracing for increased traffic near campus. Drivers and pedestrians are urged to stay alert as the fall semester starts Tuesday, Aug. 19. Local businesses say they’re ready for the student rush after a slow summer. (WLTX)
Job
Are you the one we’re looking for? We’re on the hunt for a sales-driven leader to help us land significant brand partnerships at a national scale as a Sales Executive. From a competitive benefits package to 401k matching, we’re a pretty amazing company to work for. Join our team and apply today.
From sweeping historical fiction to gripping memoirs and heartfelt debut novels, these picks have something for every kind of reader. Check out our roundup from the Bookendz Bookclub at Still Hopes.*
Home
Need a roof you can rely on? Use HomeBuddy to compare prices, read reviews, and get matched with local roofing pros. Get started for free.*
Category
City
What deserves the skyline spotlight?
A rendering of what the skyline project could look like lit up at night. | Rendering by Jayson Jeffers, Gamecock Football Creative Media Team
COLAtoday readers submitted dozens of ideas — here are some of your favorites, grouped by theme.
Local pride + game day glow
David J. | USC and other local college events (think: garnet for USC, gold for Benedict, blue for Allen)
Ashish D. + AJ H. | Gamecock home games and major holidays
Awareness + local causes
Brenda H. | Breast cancer awareness (pink), mental health awareness (green)
C.W. | National Disability Employment Awareness Month (purple)
Susan L. | Special Olympics South Carolina State Games in May (red or blue)
Holidays + community celebration
Jane T. | July 4
Gregory T. | Juneteenth
Barbara G., Linda T., Reba M., Rita W. | Memorial Day and Veterans Day
Environmental concerns
Several readers expressed concerns about wildlife and light pollution. According to the Audubon Society, which provided lighting suggestions, Columbia ranks 9 out of 10 on the national light pollution scale. But Tripp says the project won’t worsen the issues — and may even help raise awareness.
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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.
Today is International Cat Day, so here’s my feisty feline Huma, adopted from the “Fat Cat Room” at Columbia Animal Services years ago. If you’re looking to adopt a cat of your own, check out our guide to local services.
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