COLUMBIA, S.C. — Yes, we said queens -- as in beauty queens and Queen Quey of the Gullah/Geechee will all be in the Columbia area this weekend.
Tonight starts the Miss South Carolina and Teen South Carolina pageants at Township Auditorium and you can purchase tickets to the preliminary contests or show your support to your local contestant in Saturday's finales. Also, on Saturday morning, Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, will be reading from her books at South Carolina State Library's Center for the Book.
And, we've listed Fourth of July events so that you can plan next week's mid-week fireworks experience. See details below.
WEDNESDAY through SATURDAY, June 26-29
Miss South Carolina Pageant, various times, Township Auditorium. Preliminary competitions on Wednesday through Friday evenings with the Teen South Carolina Final at 2 p.m. and Miss South Carolina Final at 8 p.m. Saturday
WEDNESDAY through SUNDAY, through June 30
Sergio Hudson: Focused on the Fit, Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St. A showcase of Ridgeway native fashion designer Serio Hudson’s career. His clients include Beyonce, Serena Williams, Michelle Obama, Issa Rae and Keke Palmer.
FRIDAY, June 28
Don Giovanni presented by Varna International, 7:30 p.m. Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St. Considered one of the greatest operas of all time, Mozart’s Don Giovanni is about a Spanish playboy’s questionable choices in life and love.
Speaker at the Center: Modern Day Bluesman, THE Dubber, 7:30-9 p.m. SC Center for the Book, SC State Library, 1430 Senate St. Enjoy a histo-musical performance from THE Dubber. Free, but registration is required.
SATURDAY, June 29
Gamecock City Farmers Market, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 853 Broad St., Sumter, SC. This new market features a diverse array of offerings including food trucks, local artisans, bakers, clothiers, and health and beauty vendors (over 50+ vendors).
Pierce Freelon: Black Music Month Celebration for Families, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly St. Get your morning started with stories and selections from the Grammy-nominated children’s music albums “AnceStars” and “Black to the Future.” Free.
Speaker at the Center: Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation. 11 a.m.-noon, SC Center for the Book, SC State Library, 1430 Senate St. Queen Quet will read from her children’s books and an interactive Gullah/Geechee experience. Book signing will follow the presentations. Free, but registration is required.
4th of July Celebration on Lake Murray, after dark – roughly 9:30 p.m., Dreher Island State Park and Spence Island. Tie up your boat near the islands or arrive early at the parks (park fees apply) and take in the show. Patriotic music will be broadcast on 93.1 The Lake.
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, June 29 & 30
The BIG Plant Expo, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, SC State Fairgrounds, Columbia. Rare plant market features three local plant vendors and national plant sellers with plants, supplies, apparel, live music, food trucks and more.
MAKE PLANS FOR JULY 4
Note: If you plan on creating your own fireworks show in the back yard, remember that Richland County put in place a new fireworks ordinance in 2023 limiting the hours you can shoot off fireworks and the fines you can expect to pay if you violate the law.
JULY 3: Blythewood Rockin’ Red, White & Blue Celebration, 4-10 p.m. Doko Meadows Park. Food, live music with the Blue Dogs, and fireworks after dark
Born in the USA Four Miler, rain or shine, the races kick off at 7:04 a.m. Choose between the 4-miler, the 4-miler 2-person relay, or the Firecracker Youth Run. Starting location is the corner of Trenholm Road and Forest Drive in Forest Acres. Sponsored by Strictly Running
Lexington County Peach Festival, 9 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Gilbert Community Park, Gilbert. Car show, parade, food trucks, live entertainment, and everything peachy. Fireworks start around 9:15 p.m.
Lexington Independence Day Celebration, 7 p.m., Icehouse Amphitheater, Lexington. The 246th Army Band takes the stage at 7 p.m. and later, tune in to 93.1FM The Lake to listen to patriotic music during the fireworks show. Note: parking lots along Church Street will be closed
Fort Jackson Independence Day Celebration, 4-9 p.m. Hilton Field, Fort Jackson. Carnival rides, food and beer trucks, misting stations, live music and fireworks show (around 9 p.m.). Free and open to the public.
Fireworks with the Phil, gates open at 6:30 p.m., Segra Park. Enjoy an evening of live orchestral music celebrating the 4th of July. Kids Zone open until 8, closing when concert begins. Fireworks after dark. Food and beverages available for purchase. Tickets start at $10