It's heating up outside, but plenty is still happening - SLT musical and Black Cowboy Festival this week, Memorial Day events next week

To make a submission to our events list, email pressrelease@theitem.com with EVENTS in the subject line.

SUMTER COUNTY

Sumter Farmers Market is now open every Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and the first and third Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 200 Miller Road. Shop fresh and local produce and pasture raised meat, sweet treats, olive oils, sauces, salad dressings, jams and jellies, freeze-dried treats, lemonade, crafters, artisans, soaps, specialty teas and coffees, food trucks and more.

"9 to 5: The Musical" is coming to Sumter Little Theatre in May. This is "a high-energy, feel-good comedy inspired by the classic film and set to an original score by Dolly Parton. In the bustling offices of Consolidated Industries, three unlikely coworkers - Violet, Judy, and Doralee - find themselves pushed to the limit by their arrogant and sexist boss, Franklin Hart Jr. When a wild chain of events turns the tables, the trio bands together to take control of the workplace and imagine a better way forward." The play will show through Sunday, May 24, at various times. For tickets, visit www.sumterlittletheatre.org.

A Memorial Day Program hosted by USC Sumter student veterans will be held Thursday, May 21, at noon at USC Sumter Arts and Letters Building Lecture Hall, Room 116. There will be a catered lunch after the program. If you have questions, call Savannah Williams, MBA, MHA, at (803) 938-3800 or email willsava@uscsumter.edu.

The Veteran Appreciation Committee's annual Memorial Day Celebration to honor those who fought and died for the freedom of America returns to South Sumter Park on Monday, May 25, from noon to 4 p.m. In rotating time slots from 3 to 6 p.m., interested attendees will be bused from the park to Sumter Military Museum, courtesy of Santee Wateree RTA, for a tour of the museum, conducted by curator and Item historian Sammy Way. RTA will provide cooling buses to help veterans beat the heat, and City of Sumter will provide shuttles from the three parking locations to the park. For more information on the annual celebration or to donate to its efforts, call (803) 774-7776. Parking will be available at Salem Baptist Church, 320 W. Fulton St., Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church, 325 W. Fulton St., and Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 609 Manning Ave.

Fourth Fridays Concert Series returns with country singer Cody Webb at 6:30 pm. Friday, June 26, on the grounds of the Sumter County Courthouse, 141 N. Main St.

Celebrate the legacy and contributions of the African American cowboys and frontiersmen at Black Cowboy Festival and Rodeo Thursday-Sunday, May 21-24, at Greenfield Farm, 4585 Spencer Road, Rembert. Enjoy agricultural workshops, a fish fry and Western dinner, trail rides, horse shows, line dance, live entertainment, vendor booths and of course a rodeo.

Learn about our county's namesake and other Revolutionary War figures during a free event at Sumter Museum. "Backcountry War: The Rise of Francis Marion, Banastre Tarleton, and Thomas Sumter" by writer, editor and land conservationist Andrew Waters was a finalist for the 2025 American Battlefield Trust Prize for History, and Waters will visit the museum to talk about Gen. Thomas Sumter and others who served during the war. Books on Broad will be on site with books available for purchase and signing. Light refreshments will be provided. The museum is at 122 N. Washington St.

Temple Sinai Jewish History Center, 11 Church St., welcomes the public to If Windows Could Talk: Children's Bible Stories Series from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. on the following dates: June 6, David the Shepherd; Aug. 1, The Burning Bush (featuring Moses); and Sept. 5, The 10 Commandments (featuring Moses). The series "is designed to be a fun experience for your children to hear the stories associated with Temple Sinai's beautiful and historic stained glass windows."

Get up close to vehicles in our community that keep us safe during severe weather and emergencies at Touch A Truck: Storm Readiness in Sumter County from 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, June 6, at Sumter County Civic Center, 700 W. Liberty St. This free event for all ages includes numerous activities, face painting, food trucks and interactive experiences designed to help families better understand storm preparedness.

Where Creativity Grows: The Topiary Experience with Michael Gibson, led by esteemed topiary artist Michael P. Gibson, is a two-hour therapeutic workshop for up to 12 participants set for 4:30-6:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 16, at Sumter County Gallery of Art, 200 Hasel St. "Participants will learn the Gibson Method to Creative Pruning, a five-step approach for developing their creative topiary skills, while receiving personalized support from Gibson. This workshop blends education, hands-on activities, and group reflections to maximize the therapeutic benefits of topiary art. Gibson is a renowned topiary artist and educator with over 30 years of experience, having created more than 700 living sculptures across the U.S. Featured on HGTV's Clipped, he served as the first Artist-in-Residence at the Pearl Fryar Topiary Garden. Gibson developed the Gibson Method, blending geometry and storytelling to transform plants into art." To purchase your ticket, visit https://tinyurl.com/54kntd2j.

The 2026 Krawlin' For Christ Jeep Show featuring Jeep vendors, live music, food vendors, RC course, and a Jeep Show and Shine Competition will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 25, at Sumter Civic Center, 700 W. Liberty St. Entry to this indoor and outdoor event is free to the public. All proceeds will benefit St. Jude Children's Hospital. To find out more go to https://Krawlinforchrist.wixsite.com/my-site-1. The show and shine registration booth will be open from 8:30-11 a.m. the day of the event. Cost to register your Jeep is $20, all proceeds will go to St. Jude Children's Hospital. There will be raffles. No alcohol allowed.

Sumter Chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity have teamed up with Sumter County Library for a new reading program. Join the group on the first Saturday of every month for Alpha Reads, starting at 11 a.m. Sumter County Library is at 111 N. Harvin St.

BISHOPVILLE

Celebrate South Carolina's own scaly reptile at the 2026 Lizard Man Stomp beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 27, on Main Street in Bishopville. Enjoy vendors, live music, arts and crafts, kids activities, a car show, parade and more.

CAMDEN

The 5th Annual "Where I'm From" Festival w/ Patrick Davis and His Midnight Choir, and special guests Levi Lowrey, Seth Walker and Lauren Jenkins will be held Saturday, May 23, from 5 to 10 p.m., at the Town Green, 1015 Market St., Camden. Gates open at 5 p.m.; music begins at 5:30 p.m., and music begins at 8 p.m. VIP ticket includes signed limited edition poster, VIP seating area (must bring own chair/blanket), two drink tickets, and VIP lanyard and pass. All sales are final. Rain or shine event. For more information on Patrick Davis, visit patrickdavismusic.com.

Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association will host the Hero Fest motorcycle ride on Saturday, Sept. 26, with all proceeds going to veterans in the Midlands. Participants will make multiple stops along the ride, including in Sumter, starting and stopping at Silver Leaf Cigar Lounge, 1015 Broad St., Camden. Other stops will include Wild Heart Brewing Co., Southern Hops Brewing Co., Slabs BBQ Restaurant and Willie Sue's. There will also be vendors, food trucks, raffles, silent auction, live music and games. Must be present to win prizes. Registration starts at 9 a.m. Rider signup costs $20, and passenger signup is $10. First bike leaves at 10:30 a.m., and the last bike returns at 4 p.m. A meet and greet before the event will be held Friday, Sept. 25, at Greener Pastures Brewing Co., 826 Broad St., Camden, at 6 p.m.

CLARENDON COUNTY

Join a day of creativity, community and celebration at Arts in the Park from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 6, at Walker Gamble Park, New Zion. There will be local singers and dancers, youth showing their special talents as well as artists of all ages. Bring your lawn chair and enjoy the day.

The second-annual Sherri Arment Memorial Charity Golf Classic to benefit pets at Second Chance Animal Shelter will be Saturday, June 27, at Players Course at Wyboo. Cost is: course members, $40, nonmembers, $55. Payment is to accompany entry form. Forms can be picked up at A Second Chance Thrift Store in Manning, Players Course, Chamber of Commerce and A Second Chance Animal Shelter. Registration is at 8 a.m., and shotgun start is at 9 a.m. Tournament package includes green fee and cart, continental breakfast, lunch and prizes (based on entries). This is a four-man captain's choice with 10-point handicap system and mulligans available. For more information, see entry forms or call Herb Whetsell at (843) 509-3737 or Mike Stegmoyer at (803) 460-0878.

COLUMBIA

Join the South Carolina Orchid Society for its Annual Summer Orchid Auction at noon Sunday, June 28, at 1605 Park Circle, Columbia. There will be 100 items up for live auction including blooming plants, seedlings, pottery, care kits and every thing in between. Bidding starts at 1 p.m. Cash, checks, credit cards, Venmo and Paypal accepted.

Vince Gill will bring his 50 Years From Home tour to the Township Auditorium, Columbia, at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14. Purchase tickets at https://tinyurl.com/nhb7pchs.

Comedian Desi Banks will bring his all new Your Favorite Cousin Tour to the Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Green St., Columbia, on Saturday, Oct. 10. Banks is an actor, stand-up comedian, podcaster and entrepreneur who has a strong social media influence with more than 19 million fans. He is known for his "razor-sharp wit and hilarious comedic timing." Tickets that were sold for Desi's show, "The Elevation Tour," originally scheduled in 2025 at the Koger Center, are valid for this performance. For more information and tickets, visit KogerCenterForTheArts.com.