What to do across the Midlands: Festival on the Avenue's Taste of Soul, multi-instrumentalist / storyteller Nicholas Edward Williams and Daffodil Art and Craft Show are just a few of upcoming events

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SUMTER COUNTY

Festival on the Avenue presents a Taste of Soul at 6 p.m. Friday, April 10, at 337 Manning Ave. Enjoy music by the Soulful Therapy Band. Admission is free, and food and drinks will be available for purchasing.

The 13th-annual Festival on the Avenue Golf Tournament will be held Friday, April 10, at Crystal Lakes Golf Course, 1305 Clara Louise Kellogg Drive. The tourney will be four-man Captain's Choice. Tee time is 7:30 a.m. To register, visit www.festivalontheave.org.

The 16th-Annual Daffodil Art and Craft Show will be held April 11-12 at the Fair Memorial Building, 30 Artillery Drive. Browse handcrafted goods from talented local and regional artisans. From homemade candles and soaps to woodworking, jewelry, pottery and more, there is something for everyone. Free admission and free parking. Show will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Want to give archery a shot? First Assembly of God, 1151 N. Alice Drive, will hold a free to the public archery shooting with basic safety and instructional training on Saturday, April 18. This is for international style Target Archery. No experience required. Fourth grade through adult welcome. Equipment provided. Rain or shine (indoor or outdoor as needed). Interested persons may also consider signing up for the Archery Leagues planned to start May 18 through June on Monday or Tuesday nights.

If you like color, flowers and art, this event is perfect for you. The Council of Garden Clubs of Sumter Inc. and Sumter County Gallery of Art will present the third-annual Mary Hinson Flower show at 11 a.m. Friday, April 17, and 5 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at 200 Hasel St. The exhibition titled "Clouds of Color" is a National Garden Club Small Flower Show. The floral designs in the formal exhibition space will be in response to the abstract photographs of artist Kim Keever. In the second gallery, the "Abstract Expressions" of John Cotner and Lydia Sera will be presented.

If you want to see how a real farm works, don't miss the 16th Annual Sheep Shearing Event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at Old McCaskill's Farm, 377 Cantey Lane, Rembert. Highlights of the day are: wool from sheep to shawl; shearing the sheep; Border Collie demonstrations; concessions; tractor simulator; horseback rides; bluegrass music; knitters, spinners and weavers; hayrides; goats milk; soapmaking; face painting and more. Tickets are available at https://tinyurl.com/bd92nzru.

Join a morning of open play, crafts and snacks at Giggles on the Go's Calling All Units Event from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 18, at 741 Bultman Drive, Suite 11. City of Sumter will bring a fire truck, police car and an ambulance for free viewing. Marshall from Paw Patrol will be a guest.

Got a nice ride? Show it off at the CCTC S.E.E. Car Show on Saturday, April 18, at Central Carolina Technical College, 506 N. Guignard Drive. The event by Ken Bernard and Sumter Car Meets and Events will include trophies for Classic, Modern and Truck/Jeep vehicles, as well as Best in Show and People's Choice. The show is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with late registration until 11:30 a.m.

Citadel Elite Disc Golf will hold its Sandhill Invitational disc golf tournament at 8 a.m. Saturday, April 18, at 2405 Hwy. 15 South. Entry for all divisions is $32. For details and to register, visit https://tinyurl.com/e76rsr4w.

Looking for fun for the entire family? Check out Zerbini Family Circus from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 19, or from 6 to 10 p.m. Monday, April 20, at Sumter Speedway, 3150 Wedgefield Road. Purchase tickets at eventticketscenter.com.

CLARENDON

Join Laurence Manning Academy Drama-Chorus for an afternoon of drama, music and relationship chaos as it presents "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do ... Sometimes" at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 19, in Bubba Davis Gymnasium, 1154 Academy Drive, Manning. The show is "inspired by TV breakups and not-so-breakups," and "blends humor, heart and familiar moments with a modern twist " Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students.

The Clarendon Master Gardeners will be having a plant sale on Friday, April 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, April 18, 9 a.m. to noon in Manning at the Land Parker Welch courtyard, 29 S. Mill St., Manning. Beautiful annuals, perennials and some unusual pass-along plants as well as a variety of tomato plants will be available. Stan the citrus man will be in attendance with a selection of citrus trees and to answer care questions.

FLORENCE

The Pee Dee Spring Plant and Flower Festival returns to the Pee Dee State Farmers Market, 2513 W. Lucas St., Florence, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, April 16-18, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 19. This free event features home, yard and garden decor, along with crafts, spring plants, in-season certified S.C. produce and more.

COLUMBIA

Stock up on plants, garden essentials, spring decor and Certified S.C. produce from numerous vendors when the Midlands Spring Plant & Flower Festival returns to the South Carolina State Farmers Market Thursday-Sunday, April 9-12, at 3483 Charleston Highway in West Columbia. The Master Gardeners will be set up to answer spring planting questions, and food vendors will be on hand or fill your belly at the onsite Market Restaurant. The event runs Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Wagons will be available for rent, but visitors are encouraged to bring their own due to a limited quantity. For more information about the Spring Plant and Flower Festival, contact Sonia Brazell at sbrazell@scda.sc.gov, (803) 737-4614. You can also visit agriculture.sc.gov/state-farmers-markets or find the market on Facebook at @SCFarmersMarket.

Experience the music, culture, food and performing arts of nearly 60 countries at the Columbia International Festival on Saturday-Sunday, April 18-19, at 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia. Sample exotic flavors, watch staged performances, see traditionally dressed representatives from other countries and shop booths of authentic clothing, crafts, jewelry and souvenirs from across the world, all while learning about other cultures. To learn more, visit cifonline.org or call (803) 799-3452.

Enjoy the finest plates and pours Columbia has to offer at the Columbia Food and Wine Festival Wednesday-Sunday, April 22-26. This award-winning festival has earned recognition as a must-attend event for foodies across the Southeast. Since its beginning, the festival has welcomed more than 15,600 guests and featured more than 375 culinary partners. To learn more, visit colafoodandwine.com.

See, hear and taste the flavors, sounds and stories of cultures from across the world at the Sharpvue Irmo International Festival on Sunday, April 26, at Moore Park in Irmo. According to its website, "The SIIF is a non-profit event dedicated to celebrating the cultures, traditions and people that make our community vibrant." The festival will include international foods, live music, dancers, vendors and booths, art exhibits, a helicopter display, car show and a free kid zone. To learn more, visit www.irmoscinternationalfestival.com.

"Swan Lake" just got better. The World Ballet Company will present "Swan Lake" along with a live orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, at Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St., Columbia. "The legendary tale of 'Swan Lake' takes flight in a breathtaking production from World Ballet Company, as fate and magic entwine in a timeless battle between good and evil. Performing with a live orchestra, and featuring a cast of 50 international dancers, over 150 radiant hand-sewn costumes and stunning hand-crafted sets, this spellbinding ballet captures every heart-pounding moment - from the Dance of the Little Swans to the Black Swan's 32 fouettés, and every pirouette in between." For additional information on the World Ballet Company, visit https://worldballetcompany.com/columbia. To purchase tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/779thtae.

Get your tickets now for the action-packed WWW Friday Night SmackDown at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 15, at Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St., Columbia. Purchase tickets at ticketmaster.com and at the Prisma Health Box Office. The event will feature undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, The American Nightmare Cody Rhodes, WWE Women's Champion Jade Cargill, United States Champion Carmelo Hayes, Tiffany Stratton, Sami Zayn, Randy Orton and many more. Talent subject to change. The Ringsider Package will be available at ticketmaster.com and includes the best seats in the house (ringside, directly across from cameras) and exclusive merchandise.