4 Annual Summer Events that are Full of Fun

One of the best ways to enjoy summer in the south is with a concert. These summer concerts offer live entertainment, enjoyable music, and memories that you will not soon forget. Willie Nelson & Alison Krauss Two of the biggest stars of country music will perform at the Florence Civic Center in nearby Florence. The concert is scheduled for Aug. 12, 2019, and tickets start at $27 each for upper-bowl seats. You can expect to hear some of the biggest titles from each of these country stars. Allison Krauss will perform classics like “New Fool” and “When You Say Nothing At All." Willie Nelson will perform classics as well as songs from his newest album, "My Way," which was released just a few months ago. more Ted Nugent Ted Nugent will perform at the CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park in nearby Simpsonville on Aug. 17, 2019. Tickets begin at $27 each for general admission lawn seats. This performance is a part of his "The Music Made Me Do It Again!" rock and pop music tour. Nugent has been performing since 1974 with over 40 tours completed, so you can expect a great show. The CCNB Amphitheatre is also a great place to enjoy an affordable summer concert under the stars. Gladys Knight It doesn't matter your age or preferred genre of music, you have probably heard a few of Gladys Knight's biggest hits. Often known as the Empress of Soul, she became famous during the 1960s with her group, Gladys Knight & the Pips. Knight will perform at the Peace Concert Hall at the Peace Center in Greenville on Aug. 20, 2019. Whether you've seen Knight perform numerous times or you have yet to see her in concert, this is a can't-miss event. Make sure you get your tickets early as they are sure to sell out fast. Summer Groove Fest The Summer Groove 2019 Fest features the S.O.S. Band, Jeffrey Osborne, The Manhattans with Gerald Alston, Midnight Star, and J. Anthony Brown. The Groove Fest will take place at the historic Township Auditorium, right in Columbia, on Aug. 24, 2019. A visit to the auditorium is a special event in itself with its historical architecture and vibrant visuals throughout. Tickets to the Groove Fest start at $49 and go up to $125 per person. This is the perfect summer concert festival to sit back, relax, and enjoy your favorite grooves from the past. The Carolina Opry Just a short road trip from the Columbia area is the Carolina Opry performance. The Carolina Opry is an award-winning show in Myrtle Beach that features live music and dance. The performance has been mentioned by The New York Times,  "NBC Nightly News," and other media. The Carolina Opry runs from January to October, with tickets starting at $25 for children and $49.95 for adults. Grab a few friends and enjoy your favorite musicians this summer at the upcoming concerts. Whether you enjoy pop, country, or rock, you are sure to find something you enjoy at one of these events. Image by MargaretNapier cc by nd 2.0

Orangeburg gets some serious heat and humidity in these summer months. Unless you like to spend your summer dripping in sweat, you have a few options for cooling off. You can either spend your summers blasting air conditioning in your home (which your wallet won't like), or find a great place to go for a dip and cool off.   Orangeburg and its surrounding area are full of beautiful state parks with swimming holes for you to cool off in. If you're leaning toward the latter, to take a dip and cool off, here are four of the best swimming pools and lakes in the Orangeburg area. more Aiken State Park This park has over 1,000 acres of blackwater river, forest, and swampland. It is perfect for family fun or the naturalist in all of us. It has a designated swimming area that is buoyed off and is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Swimming here is free with admission to the park. For more fun on the water, Aiken State Park also offers canoeing and fishing! Colleton State Park Colleton State Park offers one of the longest free-flowing blackwater rivers in the country. This park gives you ample opportunity to swim in the Edisto River, but do so at your own risk, as there are no lifeguards on duty.   For more excitement at Colleton State Park, try your hand at some relaxing activities, such as fishing, kayaking, bird-watching, or biking along the trails. Check out all the amenities they have to offer on the South Carolina Parks website. Givhans Ferry State Park This park is connected to Colleton State Park by the serene Edisto River. It is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and admission to the park is $5 per adult or $3.25 per child. The riverbanks at this park are heritage trust sites and, therefore, they are protected due to several species of rare plants along the riverside. Be sure to check out these beautiful pieces of nature while you go for your swim! Poinsett State Park This free-to-enter park is located north of Orangeburg and offers a unique combination of nature and history. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1930, Poinsett Park has an extensive trail system, hardwood forests, and an overall mixed ecosystem with thriving plant and wildlife. Be sure to check out their calendar of events for fun activities you can check out in the park. Open year-round from 9 a.m. until dark, you can swim, rent boats, or go paddle boarding out on the water! Looking for a pool? The Orangeburg Country Club pool is a great place to cool down and a perfect place for kids. They offer a water fun zone that is open and supervised Tuesday through Sunday by certified lifeguards.   All these great swimming spots are located an hour or less from central Orangeburg. This makes them great for a day trip or weekend should you choose to enjoy the variety of activities many of these parks offer.   Image Via Flickr by huggleperson

The Columbia area has a lot of fun activities planned for June. If you want to find something interesting for your family, check out these top three events. There is a good chance that one of them will excite you. Southeastern Piano Festival The Southeastern Piano Festival brings some of the world's best pianists to Columbia. Some of this year's guest artists include Frederic Chiu, Washington Garcia, Vandym Kholodenko, and the Anderson and Roe duo. The festival will also feature some alumni of the University of South Carolina School of Music. This festival takes place annually, but it always offers something new and exciting for music lovers. Events take place from Sunday, June 18 to Saturday, June 24. In addition to attending concerts, musicians can take master classes from renowned players. The Southeastern Piano Festival includes so many events that it needs more than one venue. Some of 2017's venues will include the Kroger Center for the Arts, USC School of Music Recital Hall, and Trinity Cathedral. Prices vary according to the venue and the artist's popularity Many events conducted by the Southeastern Piano Festival sell out, so you should buy your tickets ahead of time to ensure you get a seat. When: June 18 - 24 Where: Various Price: Varies by day and artist more Doko Fest Bluegrass Festival If you don't care for pianos, maybe you'd prefer to see bands play mandolins, fiddles, and banjos. Bluegrass fans should make plans to attend the Doko Fest Bluegrass Festival in nearby Blythewood. The Lion's Club sponsors this festival each year, so you get to enjoy free admission. Just bring your own lawn chair so you will have a comfortable place to sit. Specifics for the bluegrass festival haven't been announced yet. Last year's concert took place on June 11. Check the festival's Facebook page to learn more as the event develops. Organizers will announce the date and bands before summer. When: Will announce soon Where: Doko Meadows Park, Blythewood Price: Free! Blythewood Doko Rodeo This year, Blythewood will present its seventh annual rodeo in Blythewood Community Park. If you haven't been before, now is the time to reserve your tickets since you can save a couple of dollars by purchasing them in advance. The Blythewood Doko Rodeo is a professional affair with numerous events. Cowboys and cowgirls from all over the country come to Blythewood to compete for prizes and money. Many of these professionals want to participate in the Blythewood event because it earns them points toward qualifying for the International Finals Rodeo held in Oklahoma. If they do well in Blythewood, then they can secure a spot in the finals. If you want to watch bucking broncos and lassoing, this is the June event for you. When: June 2 - 3 Where: Blythewood Community Park Price: Advanced tickets cost $14 for adults and $7 for kids ages 6 through 12. Whether you love listening to music or watching cowboys get bucked to the ground, you'll have a good time this June in the Columbia area. Image via Flickr by knownaa