Friends of Sumter County Library's annual book sale begins

To kick off the holiday season, the Festive Five will be held 4-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, Nov. 12-16, in the center court of the Sumter Mall. This event will feature live performances daily by local choirs, musicians, dance groups and more. Throughout the week, family, friends and mall shoppers will be able to visit www.thefestivefive.com to vote for their favorite performance. The act receiving the most votes will be named "Sumter's Festive Favorite" and will receive the 2018 Festive Favorite award. Winner will be announced in a live Facebook event.

The Friends of Sumter County Library's annual big book sale is being held 2-6 p.m. today-Saturday, Nov. 8-10, and 1-5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, at the main branch, 111 N. Harvin St. Sunday will be bag o' books day ($5 per bag).

American Legion Auxiliary Unit 202 will present its fall dance 9 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at 310 Palmetto St. Tickets: $10 in advance or $15 at the door. Casual attire but no sneakers and no jeans. DJ Smoove will provide music. There will be food and door prizes. Call Mattie at (803) 468-1299 or Janetta at (803) 406-8038.

The Sumter County Veterans Association's Veterans Day program will be held on Monday, Nov. 12, on the lawn of the old Sumter County Courthouse on North Main Street. The program will begin at 11 a.m. with Col. Derek O'Malley, 20th Fighter Wing commander, serving as keynote speaker. Prior to the program, there will be a Veterans Day parade at 10 a.m. on Main Street. The program will honor all veterans, living or deceased, for the service they have given and continue to give to keep our country free. Call Larry E. Huff at (803) 236-1203 or (803) 494-2894.

The next Dream Team Event will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13, at Sumter Resource Center. Call (803) 774-7776 for information.

Connect: Special Needs Support Group will meet from 6:15 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13, in the fellowship hall of Bible Fellowship Church, 227 Broad St. Kristen Lauterbach Craig, with Top Tier Dog Training, will present a service dog demonstration. Kristen will have several service dogs with her and will explain their training as well as answering questions and informing attendees of their rights as a service dog handler. If you are interested in a service dog for you or your child, this event is for you. There will be refreshments and fellowship with other special needs families.

The Sumter Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 13, at Shiloh-Randolph Manor, 125 W. Bartlette St. Contact Debra Canty, chapter president, at (803) 775-5792 or debra.canty@frontier.com.

The Sumter County Museum's 21st Annual Carolina Backcountry Oyster Roast will be held 6-9 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 15, at 122 N. Washington St. Tickets: $40 for members; $50 for non-members; and $55 at the door (if available). Enjoy all-you-can-eat oysters, barbecue, chili, collards, beer, wine and soft drinks. Call (803) 775-0908 or visit www.sumtercountymuseum.org.

The Sumter Combat Veterans Group will meet at 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 16, at the headquarters building, 529 N. Wise Drive. All area veterans are invited.

The Daffodils & Silver Bells Arts and Craft Show will be held 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, and noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, at 30 S. Artillery Drive. Please bring a non-perishable food item to help support United Ministries. Event will also help support Kat's Special Kneads Small Animal Shelter. Santa will visit on Sunday noon-3 p.m. with photos with G&W Photo Art.

The Town of Pinewood will hold its annual tree lighting service at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 24, corner of Clark Street and East Avenue, Pinewood. There will be caroling and light refreshments will be served. Call (803) 452-5878 for information.

The ninth annual Town of Pinewood Christmas Parade will be held on Saturday, Dec. 1. Departing from Manchester Elementary School, 220 W. Clark St., Pinewood, at 10 a.m. sharp, the parade will feature bands, emergency response vehicles, specialty cars and trucks, motorcycles, community entries, church organizations, beauty queens, food vendors, craft sales and much more. The "fire red" antique fire truck will escort Santa and Mrs. Claus to the portrait and gift giving location at Town Hall so be sure to bring your camera.

Pottery, Glazing and Candlestick making class will be held 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 1, for ages 8-17, at the Sumter County Museum, 122 N. Washington St. Cost is $25 for members and $30 for all others. Costumed interpreters will teach students how to create period candlestick holders from clay and hand-dipped candles during this Christmas-themed living history craft class. Contact Amanda Cox at (803) 775-0908 or acox@sumtercountymuseum.org.

The Evening Optimist Club's annual Sumter Christmas Parade will be held at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 2, on Main Street. This year's theme is "Joy to the World."

The Town of Mayesville will hold its annual Christmas parade on Saturday, Dec. 8. Line-up will begin at 10 a.m. with the parade beginning at 11 a.m. Call Nancy Williams at (803) 453-5037 or Jeanie Jefferson at (803) 495-8181 for information.

Connect: Special Needs Support Group will offer Christmas pictures with Santa and Christmas cookie decorating 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, at Bible Fellowship Church, 227 Broad St. If visiting Santa is difficult for your special needs family, this is the perfect opportunity because our Santa is a special needs professional who will be patient and loving with your little one. Pictures are complimentary. Leave your email address or Facebook information and you will receive a free digital copy of your photo. Stick around after the photos and decorate a cookie to take home. If you would like to donate sugar cookies or cookie decorating materials, contact Autumn Parnell at (803) 316-4627 or adparnell@yahoo.com.

The Sumter County Museum's annual Carolina Backcountry Christmas will be held 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 8, at 122 N. Washington St. Experience Christmas in the year 1800 as costumed interpreters demonstrate blacksmithing, spinning and weaving, and other traditional skills of the early 19th century. This free event will feature chestnuts roasting over an open fire and cider and cookies in the log cabin.