COLUMBIA, S.C. — Well, football fans, this is your weekend. Both the South Carolina Gamecocks and Clemson Tigers take the field in their respective season openers -- USC here at home in Columbia at Williams-Brice against Old Dominion, Clemson taking on Georgia at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (neutral ground) in Atlanta.
Not such a fan of football? There's still a lot to do this weekend, even if you just take the time to relax in the sun. It's Labor Day Weekend after all. Some of you lucky folks actually have Monday, September 2, off work and school.
And even though pumpkin spice is in the air and Halloween and Christmas decorations are on store shelves, consider this weekend the last hurrah before the hectic year-end holiday season begins.
WEDNESDAY, August 28
Forest Acres Farmers Market, 2-6 p.m., 24 Forest Lake Place. Fresh meats and veggies from area farms, arts and crafts and food trucks.
THURSDAY, August 29
Public Tour: (Un)Settled, 2-3 p.m. Columbia Museum of Art. Free guided tour of the new exhibition exploring the rich, complicated, and evolving topic of what it means to be American.
Meeting Street Artisan Market, 4-8 p.m. Interactive Art Park, 425 Meeting St., West Columbia. Check out local artisans, crafters and bakers, grab a beverage from local breweries and food from local restaurants.
Spritz Mix Happy Hour, 4-7 p.m. Columbia Museum of Art. A build-your-own spritz bar, music with DJ, cash bar with beer and wine, gallery access is free.
THURSDAY & FRIDAY, August 29 & 30
Hootie & the Blowfish: Summer Camp with Trucks Tour, Colonial Life Arena. Columbia’s own iconic pop-rock band Hootie & the Blowfish with special guests Collective Soul & Edwin McCain
FRIDAY, August 30
Taylor Nation, 6-10 p.m., Icehouse Amphitheater, 111 S Church St., Lexington. Hey Swifties! Head over to Icehouse for an evening celebrating the career of Taylor Swift with the Taylor Nation Tribute Show. In addition to this sing-along tribute, there will be food, beer and wine available for purchase. Tickets online
FRIDAY through SUNDAY, August 30-September 1
Foodees Food & Culture Festival, 1-9 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Saturday, and 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday; Orangeburg County Fairgrounds, 350 Magnolia St., Orangeburg. Over 60 of the hottest food trucks and over 50 artisans, crafters and makers.
FRIDAY through MONDAY, August 30-September 2
Chapin Labor Day Festival & Parade. This multi-day event features:
- All weekend: Taste of Chapin restaurant weekend where you can sample fare from some of the town’s local restaurants
- Friday: 8 a.m., Fidelis Family 5K for a cause
- Saturday: 7-10 p.m., Latin Night on Beaufort Street with authentic Venezuelan food and Latin music and dancing
- Sunday: 6-11 p.m., Boots on Beaufort Country Concert with Johnny Meetze, Griffin Shelbe, and Noel Lindler and the Bank Walkers
- Monday: Labor Day Parade and Car Show, all-day festival on Beaufort Street, Clark Street, and Lexington Avenue
SATURDAY, August 31
Soda City Market, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Main Street, Columbia. Check out the arts and crafts, food trucks and more at this year-round Saturday market.
Little Red Riding Hood, 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Columbia Marionette Theatre, 401 Laurel St. A family-friendly, yet irreverent take on the classic fairy tale.
Spirit of the Midlands Festival, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., 819 Woodrow St. A family-friendly, community festival in the Old Shandon neighborhood of Columbia, South Carolina, sponsored by the Midlands Educational Economic Empowerment Center (MEEEC). Featuring music, games and food.
USC vs Old Dominion, 4:15 p.m. Saturday, August 31, Williams-Brice Stadium. The Gamecocks kick off the 2024 football season at home
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, August 31-September 1
NASCAR at Darlington Raceway, the track that’s too tough to tame! Get your tickets for Saturday, Sunday, or the entire weekend. Package deals available for families and students.
- Saturday, 3:30 p.m. Sports Clips Haircuts VFW Help A Hero 200 features NASCAR XFINITY Series rising stars
- Sunday, 6 p.m. Cook Out Southern 500, the last race of the NASCAR regular season is under the lights
SUNDAY, September 1
First Sunday at SC State Museum, noon-5 p.m., 301 Gervais St. General admission is $1 per person. Explore four floors of South Carolina art, cultural history, natural history and science/technology, including the Boeing Observatory and the Robert B. Arial Collection of Historical Astronomy located on the fourth floor. For an additional price, guests can enjoy a planetarium show and/or a 4D theater movie.
The Revue: Drag Brunch Edition, noon-3:30 p.m., The Venue, 1626 Main St. Columbia. Sip mimosas while the queens werk. Hosted by Paris Lefaris. Admission, $5 in advance, $10 at the door
Cola Town Throwdown, 3-6 p.m. Piecewise Coffee Co., 2001 State St., Cayce. The area’s first-ever latte art competition for local baristas. Celebrate coffee culture while baristas show off their latte foam art skills. Free to watch, $10 for competitors, over $500 in prizes.
COMING UP
September 6-7 Meeting Street Music Festival. Live bands, local food and drink.
