COLUMBIA, S.C. — The Columbia area events calendar is growing as temperatures rise. If you need something to do this weekend, how about check out this list of happenings in the area:
Friday, May 3
Leaping trout exhibit opens at Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St. Check out an exhibition of 35 leaping trout sculptures painted by local Columbia artists and art students on display and then attend the live auction 6 p.m. on May 15 in the Museum Loft. Proceeds from the auction go to fund public art programs in Columbia
Kashus Culpepper at New Brookland Tavern, 7 p.m., 632 Harden St., Columbia. Modern country music star Culpepper brings his unique sound to town.
A Flock of Seagulls: New Wave Legacy, 7:30 p.m., Harbison Theatre, 7300 College St., Irmo. Synth-heavy dance-pop group formed in 1980, known for their haircuts and “I Ran (So Far Away).” Tickets $50 per person, student, senior (over age 60), or military receive $5 discount
Friday & Saturday, May 3 & 4
Eastover 45th Annual Bar-B-Q Festival & Parade, 6-11 p.m. Friday, is the 4th Annual Eastover JAM FEST featuring West Love, 803 Fresh, Charmeka Joquelle, Jabriel, KJ and Frank Johnson! Sounds by DJ Natureboy and DJ Turnup! JAM FEST takes place at Eastover Park, 1031 Main Street, Eastover SC! Gates open at 5pm, showtime is 7pm. Tickets at available online at EventBrite.com (Eastover BBQ Jam Fest); and Eastover Town Hall in Eastover. On Saturday the parade starts at noon from Webber Elementary School down Main Street - floats, antique cars, car clubs, motorcycle clubs, horses and more. Following the parade, on stage at Town Hall, enjoy live music with Nu Look Band, TJ McBeth, Tumarra Taylor, Maserati Bud and DJ Franchise – at no charge. Food vendors will be on site for purchases.
Saturday, May 4
Touch A Truck at Soda City, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., 1700 block of Main St., Columbia. Great for kids or first responder vehicle aficionados. Trucks will be on display from various departments of the City of Columbia. Free event.
May the Fourth Be with You: Star Wars Day at Richland Library North Main, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m., 5306 North Main, Columbia. Enjoy Star Wars-related crafts and activities, showings of Star Wars movies, and grab an inflatable light saber for adults (while supplies last)
Free Comic Book Day, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Scratch N’ Spin, 513 12th St., West Columbia. Free comic books (limit 3 to a customer, while they last), all-ages costume contest, comic artists and cosplayers meet and greet, and more.
Backyard Saturday Flowers, 10 a.m.-noon, Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Rd. Head over to the Cattail Shelter in the Wetland for ranger-led interactive hikes and games.
Pickin’ & Piggin’ BBQ Cookoff, 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Rd. All-you-can-eat barbeque tastings (while supplies last) from over 20 competition cookers from across the Southeast. Purchase tickets online, $15 for adults, $5 children 12 and under
Rosewood Crawfish Festival, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., State Fairgrounds in Columbia. Celebrate the mudbug with Columbia's largest crawfish boil, live music and fun for the entire family. Remember to wear not-your-best attire because crawfish seasoning can stain! Tickets are available online, $12 in advance, $15 at the gate, and kids 12 and under enter free. You can also pre-order two-and-a-half pounds of prepared crawfish for $25, grab a group of friends and reserve a table for 8 (three sittings: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., or 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.) for an extra $295 (includes enough crawfish for eight and a bucket of beer, paper towels, hot sauce and hand washing station).
Play Freely: A Sensory Friendly Fun-Filled Event: Richland Library Southeast, noon-2 p.m., 7421 Garners Ferry Rd. Enjoy a morning of games, food and crafts and tour Southeast's Multisensory Room, a therapeutic environment that promotes an individual’s needs for intellectual stimulation, calmness and/or relaxation.
Saturday & Sunday, May 4 & 5
Orangeburg Festival of Roses, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 1-6 p.m. Sunday, Edisto Memorial Gardens, 200 Riverside Dr SW, Orangeburg. Revel in the beauty of roses at this family-friendly event. No charge for admission. Enjoy food, carnival rides, and arts and crafts.
Sunday, May 5
VegFest 2024 will be held from noon to 4 p.m. at City Roots, 1005 Airport Blvd., Columbia. Attendees will learn about the vegan lifestyle and enjoy live music, food trucks, and a family fun zone. Tickets are $10 per person, or you can select other levels: $15 includes a swag bag of coupons and samples, $25 VIP gets you in 30 minutes early plus an upgraded goody bag, or $35 VIP PLUS gets an early entry, reusable bag, and Unapologetically Vegan t-shirt.
Big Nosh, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tree of Life Synagogue, 6719 N Trenholm Rd. Free to get in, then buy your favorite kosher foods -- brisket, latkes, stuffed cabbage, pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, kugel and more.
Melrose Heights Art in the Yard, a 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. self-guided tour at 1601 Richland St. in Columbia, showcases local artists and artisans in yards throughout the Melrose Heights neighborhood. Food trucks and live music.
Monday, May 6
Stargazing at Melton Observatory, 9-11 p.m., every Monday, weather permitting, 1429 Greene St., on the University of South Carolina Horseshoe. Come out and enjoy this free event