At the Joye Law Firm, we are proud of what we do and we are honored to be a part of our community. We established Joye in the Community to give back to our neighbors, support local education, help local charities, and improve the health and well-being of those around us. Joye Law Firm is proud to share this event information with you; however, our firm is not directly affiliated with these events or organizations. Please contact them directly for more information. Check out the local events going on in Columbia, SC in August 2016.


South Carolina State House Tours

Anyone is welcome to schedule a South Carolina State House tour. There is a self-guided tour option available, allowing all visitors to explore the State House at their own pace with the help of a brochure (available inside the State House). A person can also attend a scheduled tour time with a guide. The tours serve as more than an opportunity to learn about local government and the historic building, but also as an educational outing for kids, especially when it is too hot outside to head to the park. Also, South Carolina State House tours are completely free!

Event at a Glance

Event: South Carolina State House Tours

Date and time:

Tours are available at the following dates and times:

  • January through May: Monday through Friday, every half hour from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with the exception of 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m.
  • June through December: Monday through Friday, every half hour from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with the exception of 12:30 p.m.
  • Year-round: Saturday tours at 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m. except the Saturdays following Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Cost: Admission and tours are free.

Learn More: To learn more about South Carolina State House Tours, or to make a reservation for a large group (required for groups larger than 10), visit the State House’s website.


Soda City Market

Soda City Market is more than a location to pick up some Coca-Cola or other fizzy beverage; it is a collection of dozens of local vendors featuring food, drink, baked goods, seafood, art, crafts, and more. The market is held on Saturday mornings, and is a fantastic opportunity to enjoy time outdoors, meet locals and hang out with neighbors, and encourage kids to eat well by letting them pick out their own locally-grown fruits and veggies. You can grab breakfast or lunch, find a great gift for that special someone, or just get your grocery shopping for the week done. Of course, if the veggies aren’t enticing, fried dough with sugar and cinnamon are also available.

Event at a Glance

Event: Soda City Market

Date: Every Saturday, rain or shine

Time: The market runs from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Where: The 1500 block of Main Street, Columbia, South Carolina

Cost: The market is completely free to wander through. If you want to purchase anything to eat, drink, or take home, you are more than welcome to.

Learn More: You can learn more about the Soda City Market, its history, hours, and local vendors that attend at SodaCitySC.com.


First Thursday on Main

First Thursday on Main is a monthly event that occurs on the first Thursday of every month, and takes place on Main Street in downtown Columbia. The lineup varies each month, but visitors to the event can expect local businesses to open up their doors – and keep them open later than regular hours – to showcase art, offer drinks and food, and feature music. The event is a collaboration between the City of Columbia and businesses in the area, and a complimentary shuttle service is offered by City Center Partnership’s Yellow Shirts. This is a great opportunity to get out of the house, do something different, and get to know your local artists, musicians, and businesses. Bring the whole family – kids are welcome.

Event at a Glance

Event: First Thursday on Main

Date: The first Thursday of the month, every month.

Time: The event runs from approximately 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., although visitors are certainly welcome to show up early.

Where: Main Street, Downtown Columbia, South Carolina

Cost: There is no entry fee for First Thursday. Businesses will be offering their wares and goods for sale, with many businesses offering discounted prices on food, drinks, and other items for sale.

Learn More: If you want to learn more, you can check out First Thursday on Main’s website, or their Facebook page.


Brew at the Zoo

If you love beer and bears, be sure to check out the Brew at the Zoo event this month. Hosted by the Riverbanks Zoo and Garden, Brew at the Zoo will feature more than 200 microbrews (both local and imported), food, and live entertainment. Guests will enjoy walking through the zoo and checking out the animals with their souvenir tasting glass in hand, and there will be special animal presentations and encounters that are available this night only! In addition to concession stands of food, there will also be a buffet available for purchase as well. The event is for those 21 years of age and older only. The proceeds of the event will be used to support education and conservation efforts at Riverbanks. VIP tickets are already sold out, so get your general admission tickets today!

Event at a Glance

Event: Brew at the Zoo

Date: Friday, August 5, 2016

Time: 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Where: Riverbanks Zoo and Garden: I-26 and Greystone Boulevard near downtown Columbia.

Cost: The cost is $35 for existing Riverbanks Zoo members, and $45 for the general public.

Learn More: To learn more about the event and purchase your ticket before they sell out, visit Riverbank Zoo’s website. Advance tickets are on sale now!


Columbia Dance and Improvisational Festival

If you love to dance – whether as an instructor or as a student – the Columbia Dance and Improvisation Festival, held in early August of this year, is worth seeing. The third annual festival aims to attract dancers throughout South Carolina, and offers three days of intensive workshops that will touch on everything from discussion to informal performances. This year’s event will feature special guest artist Michael Crotty of the University of Utah.

Event at a Glance

Event: Columbia Dance and Improvisational Festival

Date: August 5, 2016 through August 7, 2016

Time: The festival features a number of intensive classes that span the entirety of the three days. The full schedule of classes can be found on the website of The Power Company Collaborative.

Where: The festival is being hosted by Columbia College, located at 1301 Columbia College Drive, Columbia, South Carolina, 29203.

Cost:

  • $120 – All class and events
  • $90 – Three-day festival price (all classes and events) for those who register by July 1, 2016)
  • $60 – Student and educator price for College students and SC k-12 dance educators – valid student/educator ID required
  • $12 – Individual classes can be purchased at $12 per class

Housing and meals are not included in prices.

Learn More: Those are interested in the Columbia Dance and Improvisational Festival and want to learn more or register for the event can do so on the website of The Power Company Collaborative.


Pickin’ With the Pros

A South Carolina summer wouldn’t be complete without a night of bluegrass music. To enjoy some of the best live music in West Columbia, check out Pickin’ with the Pros at Bill’s Music Shop. The bluegrass and acoustic open stage and jam will showcase the Edgar Loudermilk Band featuring Jeff Autry. Jeff Autry will be playing the last hour of the open stage, and then staying on to jam with audience and attendees. While little ones are welcome to attend, this event runs late and will be loud, so a babysitter may be preferred! Bring your own instrument and talent so that you can jam with the pros.

Event at a Glance:

Event: Pickin’ With the Pros

Date: Friday, August 12, 2016

Time: Open stage will begin at 7:30 p.m. From 9:00 p.m. until midnight, there will be jammin’!

Where: Pickin’ With the Pros will be hosted by Bill’s Music Shop, located at 710 Meeting Street, West Columbia, South Carolina, 29169.

Cost: The cost of admission is $10 per person.

Learn More: If you want to learn more, check out the website for Bill’s Music Shop. You can also call the shop at (803) 796-6477.


Midsummer Festival

The Lexington Presbyterian Church will be hosting a Midsummer Festival featuring live bluegrass music. Performers at the event include Sierra Hull, Ron Black, Cindy Morgan (who is a two-time Grammy nominee), and My Soul Among Lions. The event is both free and open to guests of all ages, making for a great and affordable summer family outing to beat the heat. In addition to music, there will also be six different food trucks in attendance, including Lowcountry Lobster, Wolf Pizza Company, Kona Ice, Belgian Waffle Truck, Pawley’s Mobile Eats, and the Wurst Wagon. Hosted on a Wednesday, the Midsummer Festival is sure to be a fun way to break up the monotony of the week, get out of the house, and enjoy great live music and delicious food.

Event at a Glance

Event: Midsummer Festival

Date: Wednesday, August 17, 2016

Time: 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Where: Lexington Presbyterian Church, located at 246 Barr Road, Lexington, South Carolina, 29072

Price: The event admissions and concerts are completely free; food from food trucks will be available for purchase.

Learn More: Want to learn more about this event? Check out the Midsummer Festival website. You can also learn more about the event on the event’s Facebook page.


Friday Night Laser Lights

The South Carolina State Museum will be hosting a laser light show on a recurring basis throughout 2016. The laser show will take place on the fourth Friday of every month, and be set to popular musical compositions. In August, laser light show attendees can expect music from The Eagles, Jimi Hendrix, Metallica, and Pink Floyd. The event is open for both children and adults, and food and beverages will be available for purchase.

Event at a Glance

Event: Friday Night Laser Lights

Date: The fourth Friday of every month. The August event will be hosted on Friday, August 26, 2016.

Time: There will be multiple show times offered each month. For the August 26 event, show times are as follows:

  • 7:00 p.m. – The Eagles
  • 8:00 p.m. – Jimi Hendrix
  • 9:00 p.m. – Metallica
  • 10:00 p.m. – Pink Floyd: The Wall

Where: South Carolina State Museum planetarium, located at 301 Gervais Street, Columbia, South Carolina, 29201

Cost: Event attendees can choose to buy a ticket to one show, or a ticket that allows access to one, two, or three shows.

  • One show – $8 for the general public, and $6 for museum members
  • Two shows – $12 for the general public, and $10 for museum members
  • Three shows – $15 for the general public, and $12 for museum members

Learn More: To learn more about the event and follow the event schedule, visit the website of the South Carolina State Museum.


August Harvest Dinner and a Show

The August Harvest Dinner and Show is a unique opportunity to enjoy a special, professional chef-prepared farm-to-table dinner that utilizes local and seasonal ingredients. In addition to the four-course meal, prepared by executive chefs Travis Rayle (Rosso Trattoria) and Frank Bradley (Bourbon) and served family style, live music will also be performed by local musicians – Dave Britt and Bobby Sutton. The farm-to-table meal will be paired with featured wines, and guests will also be offered a complimentary cocktail. Wine pairings will be provided by Advintage.

Event at a Glance:

Event: August Harvest Dinner and a Show

Date: August 22, 2016

Time: The dinner begins at 6:30 p.m., and is estimated to last for a total of three hours.

Where: August Harvest Dinner and a Show will be held at Music Farm, located at 1022 Senate Street, Columbia, South Carolina, 29201.

Cost: The cost of a ticket is $85, and includes the four-course meal, a cocktail, and live music. The ticket does not include wine pairing, tax, or gratuity.

Learn More: You can learn more about the event and purchase your ticket by visiting the Eventbrite website.


Five After Five

Pencil in Five After Five on the fourth Thursday of every month throughout the month of October. This completely free, outdoor live concert series is hosted in the Five Points neighborhood of Columbia, and offers a combination of great local music, local food vendors, local brews, arts and crafts, and more. Kids are welcome – there is even kid-friendly entertainment! Check this event out with friends, your significant other, or the whole family for what’s sure to be a fantastic evening of food, drink, and music.

Event at a Glance

Event date: The fourth Thursday of every month through October. Remaining event data are:

  • July 28, 2016
  • August 25, 2016
  • September 22, 2016
  • October 27, 2016

Time: The Five After Five events begin at 6:30 p.m. and run until 10:00 p.m.

Where: The event is hosted in Columbia’s Five Points neighborhood, located at 532 Congaree Avenue, Columbia South Carolina, 29205

Cost: The event is completely free to attend. Food, drinks, art, crafts, and more are available for purchase.

Learn more: To learn more about the Five After Five free outdoor concert series, including an event lineup and features performers, check out Five Points Columbia’s website. You can also visit the Facebook page for the event.

About the Author

Since 1968, the South Carolina personal injury and workers’ compensation attorneys of Joye Law Firm have been committed to securing compensation for accident and injury victims. Our compassionate and dedicated lawyers have over 300 years of combined litigation experience, and many of them have been recognized as South Carolina Super Lawyers. For many years, our South Carolina personal injury law firm has been listed with an AV rating in the prestigious Martindale-Hubbell legal directory.

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