Eat barbecue, learn about farm life, hear live music at Springfest and enjoy a car race, all in Sumter this weekend

SUMTER COUNTY

The Annual Barbecue Cook-Off Benefiting Boy Scouts of America will be held Saturday, March 23, at Sumter American Legion Fairgrounds, Sumter County Civic Center, 700 W. Liberty St. The competition will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. For information or tickets, visit www.sumterbbq.com.

Old McCaskills Farm will hold its 13th-Annual Sheep Shearing Day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at 377 Cantey Lane, Rembert. This family friendly event provides an opportunity for visitors to learn about farm living. There will be border collie demos, horseback rides, hay rides, live bluegrass music and more. Visit www.oldmccaskillfarm.com or find Old McCaskills Farm on Facebook.

Local and out-of-town bands will unite to deliver an epic concert event with Sumter Springfest. Happening on Main Street in downtown Sumter, the event will be held from 2 to 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 23. From mouth-watering hamburgers to fire-roasted pizza to a classy meal, there will be dining options available for whatever you may be craving. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://sumterspringfest.com.

The 4th-Annual Blue Collar Enduro Classic will race its way to Sumter Speedway, 3150 Wedgefield Road, on Saturday, March 23. Gates open at noon, and the event ends at 9 p.m. Open practice will be 12:30 to 2 p.m. Crown Victorias and Econo 4 cars are eligible to compete, and there will be a 50-lap Crown Victoria race and 150-lap Enduro race. Tickets are $15 for grandstand seats, $30 for pit seats and free for children 10 and under and active and retired military with ID.

Sumter County Recreation Department and Eaton Corp. will hold a free Easter Movie Night on Thursday, March 28, at Patriot Park Sportsplex, 380 General Drive. An Easter egg hunt complete with the Easter Bunny will be held at 6:30 p.m. followed by an Easter-themed movie at 7:30 p.m. Bring your lawn chair and blanket. Concessions will be available. Call (803) 436-2248 or email recreation@sumtercountysc.gov.

Swan Con: Sumter's Comic Arts Festival, presented by USC Sumter and the Sumter County Cultural Commission, will be held Friday and Saturday, March 29-30, at USC Sumter, 200 Miller Road. Celebrating all things geeky, nerdy and fantastical, this free event will feature collectibles, artwork, costumes and more. For event information or updates, follow on Facebook at Sumter SwanCon.

Sumter Opera House has announced the following upcoming shows:

- Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder - April 5

With more than 60 years in the music industry, Ricky Skaggs is still looking to bring good music and good times to folks everywhere - and Sumter is next. The 15-time Grammy Award winner and 12 consecutive Grammy-nominated mandolin and fiddle master came from bluegrass roots that propelled him into mainstream country music, and he will share his musical stylings with Sumter. Tickets range from $57 to $62.

- Jukebox Saturday Night - April 26

Take a trip back in time to the 1930s-'50s, when the iconic sounds of Tommy and Jimmy Dorsey, Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington and more filled our jukeboxes. Tickets range from $23 to $28.

To stay updated on the latest shows to take center stage, follow the Opera House on social media or sign up for its weekly newsletter at sumteroperahouse.com.

CLARENDON COUNTY

The Carolina Anglers Team Trail (C.A.T.T.) will host Qualifier #4 on Saturday, March 23, on the Santee Cooper Lakes at the John C. Land III Sports Fishing Facility, 4404 Greenall Road, Summerton. Blast off will be at 7 a.m. and weigh-in at 3 p.m.

The Children's Farm Project's "It's A Spring Fundraiser Gala" will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at the Clarendon County Community Complex gymnasium directly behind Weldon Auditorium, Manning. The gala will have food, live entertainment and giveaways. Tickets for the gala are $35 each or $250 per table. Money from the event will benefit The Children's Farm Project, a nonprofit organization. For more information, call (336) 529-3170.

The 16th-Annual Charity Golf Classic to benefit the animals at A Second Chance Animal Shelter (ASCAS) will be held on Saturday, March 23, at Players Course at Wyboo, 1560 Players Course Drive, Manning. Registration will be held at 8 a.m., followed by 9 a.m. shotgun start. Cost is $40 per person for Players Course members and $55 for non-members. Entry forms can be found at A Second Chance Thrift Store in Manning, Players Course at Wyboo, The Shoppe on Brooks in Manning and Shared Treasures in Summerton. Call Herb Whetsell at (843) 509-3737 or Mike Stegmoyer at (803) 460-0878.

KERSHAW COUNTY

Easter at Aberdeen is scheduled for Saturday, March 23. Join the Camden Archives & Museum for the grand opening of Aberdeen with free fun and family friendly activities. Celebrate Easter with an Easter egg hunt for children 12 and under, light refreshments outside and an open house during the event that lasts from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 1409 Broad St., Camden. The Easter Egg Hunt will kick off at 10:30 a.m. Participants will be given a basket and some ears. Beginning March 30, Aberdeen will be open for Saturday tours.

The 89th-Annual Carolina Cup Races, known as the "Best Outdoor Event in the Carolinas," will run Saturday, March 30. Attendees will be treated to six races, which will benefit the Health Resource District of Kershaw County, along with a day of tailgating, the opportunity to indulge in hospitality tents for a delicious lunch at Hospitality Terrace and diverse vendors for a great shopping experience at Vendors Village. Visit https://carolinacup.org/ for tickets and more information about the annual event.

COLUMBIA

Germany's Great Bavarian Circus makes its Columbia debut at the S.C. State Fairgrounds,1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia, April 5-21. Tickets are on sale now at https://bavariancircus.com/city/columbia-sc/ for this extravaganza that melds the essence of Oktoberfest with the allure of the circus. Producers and brothers Benjamin and David Spindler, the ninth generation of one of Germany's most illustrious circus dynasties, infuse the show with authentic details from their home country. The excitement begins the moment guests enter the bier hall, serving up German delights such as pretzels, sausages, potato pancakes and a selection of the finest Bavarian beers. A maypole adorned with colorful ribbons greets guests as they enter the Big Top tent, setting the stage for the opening number with the performers in traditional Bavarian costumes. Performers on silks, the trapeze and straps fly through the air. Jugglers, trampoliners and acrobatic balancers showcase their athletic prowess in the ring, while presentations of spirited goats and loveable dachshunds bring happy smiles to all. Clowns will have the audiences roaring with laughter, performing throughout the show, often inviting members of the audience on stage. Visit bavariancircus.com for more information and the show schedule.

FLORENCE COUNTY

See classic rock hitmakers REO Speedwagon and Rick Springfield in concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at Florence Center, 3300 W. Radio Drive, Florence. Tickets can be purchased at www.florencecenter.com/events/2024/reo-speedwagon-and-rick-springfield.

Get ready to indulge at Florence Food Truck Festival from 4 to 10 p.m. Friday, April 12, and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 13, in the parking lot of Florence Center, 3300 W. Radio Drive, Florence. Enjoy tasty foods, craft brews, domestic beers, live entertainment and more. Visit www.florencecenter.com/events/2024/florence-food-truck-festival.