COLUMBIA, S.C. — Need something to do this weekend? Check out these events in the Columbia and Lexington area:
THURSDAY & FRIDAY, May 15 & 16
Squonk: Brouhaha, 6 p.m. Koger Center, 1051 Greene St. Squonk’s latest show, Brouhaha is an immersive outdoor spectacle with music, imagery, and audience participation.
THURSDAY through SUNDAY, May 15-19
Los Chicharrones de Columbia (Columbia Fireflies) baseball versus Charleston RiverDogs, various times at Segra Park. The Fireflies transforn into Los Chiccarrones for the annual Copa de la Diversion Weekend. Buy individual game tickets and check out daily promotions and highlights -- from Food Fight Thursday to kids running the bases. Saturday features post-game fireworks.
Disney On Ice: Magic In The Stars, various times, Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St.
FRIDAY, May 17
Taste of Black Columbia, 7:30-11 p.m., Columbia Museum of Art, African American culinary traditions are on display in this leadup to Columbia Black Expo. Enjoy great food and live music. Tickets $100 per person.
Red, White and Brews, 5-8 p.m. Irmo Town Park, 1227 Lexington Ave. Enjoy hand-selected wines, craft beer, local foods, and live music. Tickets $40 per person
SATURDAY, May 18
Canoeing for Kids, 10 a.m. Raft Day 2024 puts in at 114 Riverchase Ct in Lexington for a morning of rafting down the Saluda and Congaree rivers, with take out point at Granby Park in Columbia. Enjoy the wildlife along the river and Mill Race Rapids -- whitewater in the Midlands -- near Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens. Call or text Jay (803) 348-0348 to reserve a spot. Tickets, $55 per person, paid at time of the event.
Columbia Black Expo, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cantey, Goodman & Rosewood buildings at SC State Fairgrounds, enter gate 6 on George Rogers Blvd. Cultural exhibits, enriching talks, wine and spirits tasting, and a showcase of Black business excellence. Tickets range from $10-$40
2024 Spring Festival at The FARM 1780, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., 1127 Corley Mill Rd., Lexington. This family-friendly event features children's play area, craft stations, bounce house, petting zoo. Items for purchase include fresh produce and eggs, wine and beer and food. Parking starts at $25 per vehicle in advance, $30 day of event. Because this is an eighth generation working farm, no pets allowed.
SC Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival at SC State Fairgrounds, noon-5 p.m. features dozens of regional food trucks, regional and national brews. Enter gate 6 on George Rogers Blvd. Tickets $5 in advance, $10 at the gate for general admission; $20 Foodie VIP (enter event at 11 a.m. + one free dessert from the VIP dessert truck); $32 Beer Lovers package (enter event at 11 a.m. + 3 craft drinks + FTFA Koozie bottled water); $50 Beer 6-Package (enter event at 11 a.m. + 6 craft drinks + FTFA Koozie bottled water)
Hop to Trot Beer Fest, noon-6 p.m. Columbia Craft, 520 Greene St. Live music and brews from South Carolina brewers Edmund’s Oast, Wild Leap, Pangaea, Savannah River, Holy City Brewing, Peak Drift, and 2 Blokes. Tickets $50 per person, includes unlimited 9-oz pours, live music and best dressed derby outfit contest
SUNDAY, May 19
Drink Pink Rose Festival, noon-4 p.m. Hampton Preston Mansion and Gardens, 1615 Blanding St. The Southeast’s largest rose wine festival features a wild assortment of over 100 rose wines to sip, delicious food and 3 different varieties of paella from Chef Kristian Niemi. Tickets $75 per person, $45 for designated driver
Mushroom Magic Artisan Market, noon-4 p.m. Flora & Fauna Marketplace, 4773 Sunset Blvd., Lexington. All fun things fungi, free entry, outdoor market with arts & crafts, and Kusina Filipina food truck.
Open House at W Gordon Belser Arboretum, 1-4 p.m., 4080 Bloomwood Rd., Columbia. Visit the botanic garden horseshoe, pollinator display gardens, and walk through 10 biomes of South Carolina along a 1/3 mile trail. Free admission. No pets, no restroom facilities.
WEDNESDAY, May 22
Tour of Tea: Every Sip Tells A Story, 4-6 p.m. Five Points Fountain, 747 Saluda Ave. celebrates Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month with a sampling of teas and snacks from six diverse nations. Tickets $15 per person
May 23
Power of the Purse, 5:30-9 p.m. at 1208 Washington Place. Presented by Women in Philanthropy, this auction of one-of-a-kind items – including designer purses and vacation getaways – raises money for women and children’s causes in the Midlands
May 23-26
Iris Festival at Swan Lake in Sumter, South Carolina’s oldest continuous festival begins Thursday evening with a Taste at the Gardens opening ceremony, followed by three days of live music, arts & crafts, car shows, family activities and food from local restaurants.
Black Cowboy Festival, Greenfield Farm, 4585 Spencer Rd., Rembert. A full weekend of events kicks off with an educational day and fish fry on Thursday; cowboy trail ride, line dancing and Western dinner on Friday; rodeo horse shows, live music, food and Motown Jam Show Saturday; and Sunday worship service and brunch. Tickets range from $15-$30
