Join SC7 Day 16 for an outdoor recreation expo and walk on July 16 and visit the first Florence Card Fest on July 18

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SUMTER COUNTY

Shop local on Friday evenings from 4 to 8 p.m. at the South Sumter Farmer's and Flea Market. Browse fresh produce, handmade goods, clothing, home decor, food and vendor tables while supporting neighbors and small businesses. The market is at 337 Manning Ave.

Celebrate outdoor recreation, community wellness and conservation at SC7 Day 16 - Swan Lake Iris Gardens and Prisma Health Shot Pouch Greenway. The July 16 event, sponsored by South Carolina 7 and South Carolina National Heritage Corridor, will begin with an outdoor recreation expo and community gathering at 8 a.m. at Heath Pavilion at Swan Lake followed by a 4-mile walk at 9 a.m. through the gardens and along the pouch. "Participants will experience beautiful gardens, wetlands, trails and the new Broad Street Trailhead while learning about the importance of accessible green spaces and community partnerships." For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/7cwr5nyv.

Fourth Fridays Concert Series returns July 24 with Honey & New Era, Aug. 28 with Level 10 Live Band & Show and Sept. 25 with Sole Purpose. Concert attendance is free, and there will be food and drink available for sale. Downtown restaurants will be open for dine in and takeout. Palmetto Optimist Club will be back with free books for the kids, as well as popcorn and cotton candy for sale. Bring your chairs (no coolers) and spend an evening in downtown Sumter!

Get ready to laugh twice as hard at the Sumter Comedy Showcase: Double Trouble - when there will be two hilarious acts in one night! MTW Promotions will present the show Saturday, July 25, at Patriot Hall, 135 Haynsworth St., starting at 7 p.m. According to the website, "This in-person event brings together two hilarious comedians delivering the hits to have you rolling in the aisles. Whether you're out with friends or just need a good chuckle, this is the place to be. Don't miss out on the fun, great vibes and plenty of laughs." Buy your tickets at https://tinyurl.com/doubletroubleshowcase.

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 County 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 to 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.

Have fun while preparing for school at the Sumter Police Department Back 2 School Bash from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, July 28, at Birnie HOPE Center, 210 S. Purdy St. There will be free Kona Ice, face painting, balloon artists and DJ Howie D providing the music. On site will be Sumter Fire Department, Sumter County EMS, S.C. Department of Natural Resources, Sumter County DJJ, Tandem Health, Duke Energy, SAFE Federal Credit Union, Durant Children's Center, SAFE Kids Sumter County, YMCA of Sumter and more. Rain date is July 30.

Don't miss out on a good time at Sumter's second-annual Mr. Hops Beer Empourium on Saturday, Aug. 1, at Sumter Original Brewery. Join Mr. Hops and breweries from all over at SOB for this brew party. The event starts at 1 p.m. at 2 S. Main St. Get tickets at https://tinyurl.com/3mx9xnmx.

Sip a cup of tea and celebrate the women who helped shape America at the Revolutionary High Tea from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22, at Sumter Museum, 122 N. Washington St. "Enjoy classic scones, delicate petit fours, tea, period-inspired crafts and captivating stories that bring the past to life. Colonial daywear is encouraged but not required. Be sure to browse our Costume Closet. From gowns and petticoats to accessories, you may find just what you need for Revolutionary High Tea." Tickets are $10 / member; and $15/public. To purchase tickets visit, https://tinyurl.com/52v4a377.

Mackenzie Sholtz's work in "Handwork Exhibit: Celebrating Community-based Art and Art Education" showcases Aug. 27 to Oct. 23 at Sumter County Gallery of Art. For 250th U.S. anniversary-related sewing classes, check out "Learn to Make History: The 1700s," an introductory sewing course offered by Sumter County Gallery of Art in partnership with Sumter Museum. In this three-week course starting Aug. 1, students will create a wearable final garment inspired by colonial dress and participate in a Revolutionary High Tea at Sumter Museum Gardens on Saturday, Aug. 22. Registration is open. To register or learn more, visit https://tinyurl.com/2b4jhejp.

The Sumter 2026 Annual Coin and Currency Show will be held at 2320 Four Bridges Road, Sumter, on Aug. 28-29, starting at 11 a.m. that Friday. This event brings together coin dealers, collectors and numismatic enthusiasts to buy, sell and trade coins, currency, bullion and collectibles. Whether you're looking to add to your collection, get a free appraisal or simply browse, the show offers something for collectors at every level.

Sumter Gun Show will be held this year Aug. 29 to Aug. 30 all day at Sumter American Legion (Sumter fairgrounds), 30 S. Artillery Drive, through Great American Promotions. One hundred twenty exhibitors are expected to attend.

The US MTB Series returns to Poinsett State Park, Wedgefield, for another edition of The Knot MTB race at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9. Get tickets at https://tinyurl.com/366bwxbt.

COLUMBIA

Repticon, a recognized leader in hosting reptile and exotic animal expos throughout the United States, is coming to Columbia with an outstanding mixture of vendors and breeders Aug. 1-2. This family-oriented, fun-filled event offers guests the opportunity to learn about animals not normally seen in local pet stores. Breeder-vendors are always willing to teach in their field of herpetology. Guests can also shop for a new family pet among the hundreds of reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, arachnids and small exotic animals. Repticon Columbia is also the perfect place for them to get merchandise, cages, supplies and both live and frozen feeders, as well as to get expert advice about caring for their new household member. This event, held at the Jamil Temple at 206 Jamil Road, Columbia, offers a unique family outing suitable for all ages and for a diverse range of enthusiasts. Hours are Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. To purchase tickets or for more information about the show, visit https://repticon.com/south-carolina/columbia.

Join local naturalist Capt. Zach Steinhauser for a pontoon boat tour of the largest purple martin roost in North America on Lake Murray. Evening tours showcasing the spectacular sunset return of the purple martins to Bomb Island will be offered Wednesday through Sunday through Aug. 23. Guests are encouraged to reserve their seats early through www.carolinasafarico.com, as tours often sell out during peak migration season.

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.

Brew at the Zoo returns to Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, on Friday, Aug. 7. Try a new brew or sip an old favorite while you walk through the zoo. Use your souvenir tasting glass to sample from more than 200 specialties domestic, import and microbrews. Tickets are $80 general public; $70 Riverbanks members. Purchase tickets at https://www.riverbanks.org/events/brew-at-the-zoo.

FLORENCE

The first Florence Card Fest will be held 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, July 18, at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology, 1951 Pisgah Road, Florence. There will be more than 125 vendor tables selling sports cards from all eras, Pokemon and TCG cards, rare and high-end cards, dollar boxes and deals. Buy, sell and trade. General admission is $4. Purchase tickets at https://tinyurl.com/79kmbm4j.