Festivalgoers join in for a community dance at last year’s Jubilee Festival. | Photo via Historic Columbia
Live music, local eats, and history come together at this free, family-friendly celebration in downtown Columbia.
Historic Columbia’s 47th annual Jubilee Festival returns Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. with performances headlined by LADY STOUT, plus sets from Preach Jacobs & The Negro League, Chukk Gregory, Cr3Wizdom, and Sir Chance.
It’s all happening outdoors at the Mann-Simons Site in downtown Columbia, with free tours + history bus rides, along with cultural demonstrations like sweetgrass basket weaving, local vendors to browse, and plenty of food to dig into.
The Kids Zone features robotics, face painting, free books, and visits from SCETV’s Smart Cat and Gordon the Purple Yam. Interested in lending a helping hand? Volunteer slots are still available.
The Fireflies need your cheers tonight with the championship on the line. Columbia fell 6-5 in extra innings to Lynchburg in Game One of the Carolina League Championship Series. Game Two is tonight at 7:05 p.m. at Segra Park — and if they win, Game Three is Wednesday.
Drink
Bierkeller Columbia is taking over the former River Rat Brewery near Williams-Brice, dubbing the new production space the Ratskeller. The German-style brewery will begin statewide distribution this fall + host a free launch party on Saturday, Sept. 20. (The State)
Eat
Bahn Sai, one of the most popular food trucks in Wilmington, NC, will open a new spot in Columbia at the Gather COLA food hall, expected to open in the BullStreet District this fall. In May, Eater named it one of the hottest new spots.
Open
Discover Riverbanks from above. The Saluda Skyride offers panoramic views of the Zoo, Garden, and Saluda River. Plus, admission or membership includes your ride. Start your adventure.*
Coming Soon
A new Qdoba and four short-term rentals are coming to a historic 1929 building on Gervais Street in the Vista. Developer Frank Cason says the mixed-use project should open in early 2026. (The Post and Courier)
Concert
Kevin James is bringing his “Eat the Frog” tour to Township Auditorium on Saturday, Jan. 31. Presale opens tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 17, at 10 a.m., with general tickets available Friday, Sept. 19.
Network
Tech on Tap returns to the Boyd Innovation Center Thursday, Sept. 18 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. Join founder Mason Gates for a talk on how internships fuel growth — for both students and startups.
Family
Former MLB player Travis Snider headlines “Beyond the Scoreboard,” a presentation on building a healthier youth sports culture. Expect strategies for reducing stress and pressure in kids’ athletics.
Older Adults
If you need extra cash flow in retirement, a reverse mortgage could help. These loans let homeowners 62 and older convert part of their home’s equity into tax-free cash, while keeping the title (given you live in the home and maintain upkeep). Explore top reverse mortgage providers.*
Featured Deal
Go green and save big. Richland County Stormwater and Columbia Water are offering discounted 50-gallon Ivy Rain Barrels and 65-gallon compost bins — available for a limited time while supplies last. Pre-order now for pickup at Historic Columbia’s Fall Plant Sale on October 11.*
Cause
Join your community in the fight against Alzheimer’s at the 2025 Walk to End Alzheimer’s on Saturday, Oct. 4. Starting at 9:45 a.m., head to Segra Park for a free two-mile walk to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association’s care, support, and research programs. Learn more + register.*
Job
Ready to kickstart your career in digital media sales remotely? We’re looking for a Sales Coordinator to fuel our fast-paced sales team, with a competitive salary, premium benefits, unlimited PTO, and real growth opportunities to boot. Apply to join our team.
Read
Stay sharp and informed with The Signal’s free daily newsletter with global context and critical perspective. Join 100,000+ subscribers when you sign up today.*
David here. Rosewood Market is one of my favorite spots to grab a guilt-free lunch, and I couldn’t be more excited about the new downtown location at the corner of Blossom and Main streets. Take a look inside the new Rosewood (Mini) Market, which will offer a lot of the same health-focused favorites you’ll find at the Rosewood location.
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.
I spent the afternoon working at Piecewise Coffee on Devine Street, and even though it’s PSL season, I held onto the last days of summer by ordering an iced Honeysuckle latte. It’s a nice afternoon sweet treat and just enough caffeine to give me a little pep through the end of the day.
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