Are you a local business owner? It’s time to brag on yourself. We want you to nominate your biz for Today’s Best. If you’re feeling extra generous, nominate your fellow movers and shakers. Nominations are due Friday, October 3, and voting begins Monday, October 20.
🎡 Choose your adventure
The circus happens three times each day and is free with entry. | Photo via SC State Fair
Step right up — the SC State Fair is back Thursday, Oct. 8, through Sunday, Oct. 19, and you get to choose your adventure. Will it be new rides, fried cheesecake, or a front-row seat at the circus? Well, maybe save the fried cheesecake until after your twirl on the Crazy Mouse.
Here’s a sample of what’s waiting at the fairgrounds this year.
For the foodie
Try 15 new eats like the Surf ‘n Turf Alfredo Sundae, deep-fried enchiladas over rice, parmesan-crusted steak on a stick, and cotton candy lemonade.
For the thrill-seeker
Choose from 70 different rides, including new thrills like the Downdraft, Flash Dance, and Mulligan Swing.
Under the big top
Catch the daily CIRCUS featuring aerialists, tight-wire acts, clowns, and roller skating.
Plan Ahead
Discount tickets are $10 at Circle K or $11 online through Tuesday, October 7, and increase to $15–$20 during the fair. Ride vouchers are $32–$33 in advance.
The Gamecocks will face LSU under the lights in Baton Rouge on Saturday, Oct. 11. Kickoff is set for between 7 and 7:45 p.m. on ESPN, ABC, or SEC Network, following the conclusion of other games on Saturday. USC last won in Death Valley in 1994.
Development
A Courtyard Marriott is breaking ground in downtown Lexington today. The four-story hotel, built by Mashburn Construction, will feature 111 rooms and a terrace overlooking Main Street.
Opening
The historic Tapps building is reopening as the Shoppes at Tapps this week during First Thursday on Main, bringing local vendors + creators under one roof. Enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and a glass of bubbly while you browse.
Closed
The Venue at 1626 Main has closed after 13 years. Hanabi Hibachi & Sushi has already moved in, shifting its entrance to the former event space and adding a new “flower room experience.” (Free Times)
Coming Soon
Jim Hudson Automotive Group purchased 15 acres on Columbia Avenue in Chapin to construct a Ford dealership that will employ nearly 80 people. The $4.5 million project, planned near I-26 exit 91, is expected to open in the summer of 2027.
Film
The 2nd Act Film Project returns Thursday, Oct. 23 with its ninth annual screening, moving to Harbison Theatre to meet demand. Sixteen teams will premiere short films, with over $2,000 in prizes and a new Tom Hall Indie Spirit Award.
Seasonal
The Art of Real Estate is hosting a community pumpkin picking at Hunter-Gatherer Brewery at Owens Field on Sunday, Oct. 5 from 2 to 4 p.m. Guests can enjoy the fall air, grab a pumpkin, and connect with neighbors.
Drink
The Great American Whiskey Fair returns Friday, Oct. 3, to The Grand Hall at 701 Whaley. Guests can sample over 300 whiskeys from more than 100 distillers, meet the makers, and explore global whiskey traditions.
Did you know?Lexington County and the town of Lexington are named after a key Revolutionary War battle. Visit the Cayce Historical Museum to explore the county’s history + stories that helped shape the nation — just ahead of the 250th anniversary of America’s independence.*
Watch
Psst … you shouldn’t be paying for multiple streaming services. Save money and watch all your favorite blockbusters when you bundle Disney+, Hulu, and HBO Max. Plans start at $16.99.*
Finance
Tackling debt is crucial for many Americans in 2025. This trending card — “worth its weight in gold,” according to experts — offers 0% intro APR on balance transfers into 2027. (Read: Nearly two years of interest-free payments.)Learn more + apply.*
The Buy
Photo frames for those wedding/vacation/grandkid photos you’ve been meaning to hang. Americanflat is having a sale on its stock of photo frames, exclusive for Prime members:
🖼️ Get a set of 10 frames for under $20 and build an instant gallery wall.
💌 Frame the person closest to your heart with 25% off a heart mat insert frame.
🎓 Finally hang your diplomas in your Zoom background with a diploma frame set for under $12.
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.
There’s a bonus to exploring the Goodman Building this year — mystery vendors will hand out daily coupons for a free “Meet Me at the Rocket” book, which tells the history of the SC State Fair.
