COLUMBIA, S.C. — Summer is winding down. Some school districts are scheduled to have students back in classes as early as July 30.
But, just for today, let's push that aside and explore some lighter, brighter things to do in the Columbia area through Sunday, July 28. Best of all, some are FREE!
THURSDAY, July 25
Public Tour: (Un)Settled, 2-3 p.m. Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St. The new exhibition explores the rich, complicated, and evolving topic of what it means to be American. Free.
Spritz Mix Happy Hour, 4-7 p.m. Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St. Build-your-own-spritz bar is the perfect way to chill out after a hot summer’s day. Admission is free; cash bar features beer, wine and spritzes.
Meeting Street Artisan Market, 4-7 p.m. Interactive Art Park, 425 Meeting St., West Columbia. Check out the local artisans, crafters, bakers, and their unique creations.
Cinderella, 7:30 p.m. Harbison Theatre, 7300 College St, Irmo. Chapin Theatre Company presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic Cinderella musical. Perfect for the whole family. Thursday is opening night with performances scheduled through August 4.
FRIDAY, July 26
Margaritaville Night, 7:05 p.m., Segra Park, 1640 Freed St. Baseball, Buffett tunes and beach vibes make for a fun evening. Come on out and watch the Columbia Fireflies take on the Lynchburg Hillcats. The first 1,000 fans through the gates will snag a Hawaiian shirt and stick around for the post-game specialty jersey auction.
Meet the Author: Wiley Cash, 7-9:30 p.m. Richland Library Main, 1431 Assembly St. New York Times bestselling author Wiley Cash will discuss his recent works The Last Ballad and When Ghosts Come Home as part of Richland Library's Broader Bookshelf program. The author’s talk will be followed by a reception, book sale, and book signing.
SATURDAY, July 27
Public Summer Book Sale, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Richland Library Operations Center, 130 Lancewood Rd., Columbia. More than 30,000 gently-used items to choose from, available in all genres for children, teens and adults. Prices for paperbacks start at $1, and prices for hardbacks start at $2.
Cayce Cool Down, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Granby Gardens Park, 1800 12th Street, Cayce. A perfect way to escape the summer heat, this free family-friendly event features inflatable water slides, water balloons and soakers, sprinklers, snow cones and more.
Barbie Night, 7 p.m. Leroy Moss Multipurpose Center, 950 Jackson Avenue., Columbia, SC 29203. Columbia Parks & Rec sponsors this free, family-friendly evening. Bring a blanket and chairs and watch the Barbie movie for free. There will be a Barbie & Ken lookalike contest, trivia contest and a dance party! Free popcorn and drinks available while they last – coolers welcome (without alcohol and glass).
SATURDAY & SUNDAY, July 27-28
Psychic & Holistic Extravaganza, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Columbia Metropolitan Conventions Center, 1101 Lincoln St. This 2-day event features psychics, mediums, holistic healers, artisans and vendors. Get henna inked or photograph your aura. Readings $20 per session.
SUNDAY, July 28
SC Book Lovers Expo & Food Truck Festival, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Gala Event Center, 1801 Bush River Rd. Featuring 40 diverse regional authors representing all genres, this expo seamlessly transitions into a culinary delight for food enthusiasts by hosting five of the finest regional food vendors offering a diverse array of mouthwatering dishes. Fun for the entire family.
Public Tour: Behind the Collection, 1-2 p.m., Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St. Look behind the scenes into the science of creating materials, the lives of the artists, the thought process of acquiring art and protecting and preserving art for the ages. FREE.
COMING UP:
Tuesday, July 30: Fishing with Friends, 9 a.m. until park closes, Southeast Park, 951 Hazelwood Rd. off Garners Ferry. Bring your own fishing equipment and get ready for a day of fun, including a biggest fish competition and casting contest. A limited supply of live bait will be available. Coolers are welcome, just don't bring any glass containers. Pets are welcome on a leash. No cost to participate, no fishing license necessary for the event.
Friday-Sunday, August 2-4: SC Tax Free Weekend. Load up on things you need for school, work, and life.
