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🇮🇪 Your lucky guide to St. Pat’s
South Carolina’s own Congress the Band returns this year as a headliner. | Photo by COLAtoday
Last year, we dove into the history of St. Pat’s in Five Points — tracing how a small neighborhood celebration grew into one of SC’s largest one-day festivals. The festival returns on Saturday, March 14, for a full day of music, food, and fun.
Festival highlights
Get to the Green Race | Start the day with Get to the Green, featuring a 10K at 7:30 a.m., a 5K at 7:45 a.m., and a 1-Mile Family Fun Run at 8 a.m., starting and finishing on Blossom Street.
Parade | The St. Pat’s Parade begins at 10 a.m. at Devine Street and Sims Avenue and travels through Five Points before ending on College Street.
Live music | Enjoy live music across six stages with headliners Grace Potter, Switchfoot, The Creekers, and Congress the Band.
The Lucky Fork | The new centralized food hall will feature festival favorites and Irish-inspired bites, along with a live music stage.
Plan your day of live music and catch all of your favorite acts. | Photo by St. Pat’s in Five Points
Tickets
Advance tickets are $30 through Friday, March 13, and $35 at the gate. VIP experiences are also available.
Community members explore, connect, and create at Richland Library — where every story matters. | Photo provided by Richland Library
What’s your Richland Library story? From childhood storytimes and after-school homework sessions to career resources and community events, Richland Library has long been a place where connections are made and memories are created.
Now, the library is inviting the community to be part of something special.
Through its Library Joy initiative, customers can share personal stories on an interactive map highlighting how the library has made an impact in their lives. Whether it was discovering a favorite author, attending a life-changing workshop, or simply finding a quiet space to think, every story adds to a collective celebration of community.
No road trip required. Downtown Beach Bar and Grill will open Saturday, March 14, in the former Social Bar and Lounge space in the Vista. The bar features a beach theme with sand, tiki vibes, and coastal-inspired food + cocktails. (Free Times)
Open
The Traveling Penny opens in Gather Cola today. Stop by from 12 to 7 p.m. to shop its charm bar and permanent jewelry with the option of custom engraving.
Sports
The Gamecock Club will launch a Garnet and Black Road Trip this spring with fan events in Spartanburg, Charleston, and Columbia. The tour stops at Gather COLA on Wednesday, May 6, at 5 p.m., where fans can meet Gamecock athletes and coaches during autograph sessions, photo opportunities, and a coaches panel.
Festival
The Irmo Cherry Blossom Festival returns Saturday, March 21 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Irmo City Park, celebrating the bloom of six Yoshino cherry trees planted in 2001. The family-friendly event includes blossom viewing, a Japanese import car show, plein air art, and vendors.
Watch
South Carolina men’s basketball opens SEC Tournament play tomorrow night, March 11, against Oklahoma at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Tipoff is set for 9:30 p.m. on SEC Network — or about 25 minutes after the day’s third game.
Try This
The SC State Museum will host Flock Fest on Saturday, March 21, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., a day dedicated to birding, conservation, and nature education — or as organizers describe it, an “ornithological celebration.” The event includes gallery tours, expert talks, photography tips, and outdoor birding activities.
Health
Colorectal cancers are on the rise — make sure you know your screening options. Your primary care provider may recommend a colonoscopy, Cologuard®, or a FIT test. Book an appointment with your Prisma Health team today — they’re here to help.*
Finance
According to Motley Fool Money, the average person with $5,000 in credit card debt pays $1,200+ in interest every year. The solution? An expert-approved balance transfer card with 0% interest for up to 21 months. Learn more + apply.*
Health
If food noise and constant hunger are exhausting, MEDVi offers clinician-guided GLP-1 care built for real life. It starts with an evaluation by a licensed U.S. provider, followed by ongoing monitoring and dosage adjustments. See if you qualify + start an intro month at $179.‡*
Category
Arts
A visionary arts leader
Columbia arts leader Larry Hembree will receive One Columbia’s 2026 Stephen G. Morrison Visionary Award. | Photo provided by One Columbia
Columbia’s arts community will celebrate one of its most influential champions this month. One Columbia for Arts and Culture has named Larry Andrew Hembree the 2026 recipient of the Stephen G. Morrison Visionary Award, honoring decades of leadership that have helped shape the Midlands’ cultural landscape.
Hembree currently serves as Executive Artistic Director of the Inclusive Theatre Company of SC, where he works to create opportunities for performers of all abilities to share their talents on stage.
Over the years, he has played key leadership roles across Columbia’s arts community, including:
Executive Director, Nickelodeon Theatre
Managing Director, Trustus Theatre
Executive Director, Columbia Children’s Theatre
Director of Performing Arts, South Carolina Arts Commission
Hembree will be honored on Friday, March 20 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Koger Center for the Arts.
The Buy
We’ve got something just for you: the perfect handbag for every occasion. Add these five bags to your closet + complete any look, any time.
👜 Everyday: On sale for over 50% off, American Leather Company’s hobo bag has multiple pockets + a top zip closure to secure all your essentials
💄 Date night: This versatile leather wristlet and clutch brings style + elegance to any outfit.
🎶 Concert: A chic, stadium-approved clear bag is a wardrobe must-have. We love this one’s durable and trendy design.
🌴 Spring break: Enter vacay mode with this boho rattan bag that easily converts to a crossbody with the included detachable strap.
🧳 Workday: This leather leather Kate Spade tote can fit your laptop, wallet, and more — get it while it’s 68% off.
It doesn’t seem like a day goes by without news of an opening or something new coming soon in the BullStreet District. In addition to the Traveling Penny opening today, signage is up for Coastal Crust, the new pizza shop coming to the former Williams Building. It’s great to see all those years of work finally coming to fruition.
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‡Prescription-only GLP-1 treatment requires evaluation by a licensed U.S. provider. Treatment is provided only if medically appropriate; not all patients qualify. Results vary. Compounded medications, if prescribed, are prepared by licensed U.S. pharmacies and are not FDA-approved as finished products. See program terms for details.
