Summer Concerts in Columbia

Many people consider summer to be their favorite season for a multitude of different reasons. One of the many attractions of the summer months is the large variety of festivals and events happening all over the country. Those living in or around Orangeburg, South Carolina, have plenty of exciting summer events to choose from. Downtown Orangeburg Farmers' Market Farmer's markets are a tradition in many parts of the country and Orangeburg is no different. Located in downtown Orangeburg on the square, this recurring summer event takes place every Tuesday from late spring to late summer, much to the delight of local residents. Farmers from surrounding areas gather every week, delivering fresh produce to visitors, along with flowers, cakes, and crafts. Prepare to enjoy delicious peppers, potatoes, sweet corn, tomatoes, and much more, while also sustaining the local farming community. more Roots & Boots & Balloons Festival This spectacular outdoor festival takes place on August 24 in Bowman, just 20 minutes away from Orangeburg. Hosted by Swamp Buck Entertainment and the Cat Country radio station, it treats visitors to a unique combination of live music shows and brightly colored hot air balloons. The gates open at 3 p.m. and the live music starts at 4, allowing festivalgoers to grab a bite to eat from one of the many available food vendors. Kids can enjoy hot air balloon rides and various games, making it a day they will always remember. Taking a ride in a hot-air balloon reveals the breathtaking beauty of the surrounding areas and provides an unforgettable experience, but it also serves to help the local community. All the proceeds collected from the balloon rides will be donated to the Orangeburg Country Library. Columbia Greek Festival Happening in mid-September in Columbia, just 40 miles North of Orangeburg, the Columbia Greek Festival is a wonderful celebration of Greek culture, history, and cuisine. Hosted by the Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral, it gives visitors the chance to “be Greek for a week” by enjoying the food, drinks, music, and overall atmosphere. There will also be re-enactments of famous historical clashes, with real actors wearing authentic and historically accurate uniform and gear. Orangeburg Food Truck and Craft Beer Festival Hosted on September 21 right in downtown Orangeburg, this food truck and craft beer festival is the perfect way to say goodbye to summertime. Starting at noon and ending at 5 p.m., this event gives visitors the chance to experience a wide variety of local and international cuisine from the many food trucks available. Along with delicious food, festivalgoers will also be treated to tasty and refreshing craft beers from local artisans. Attending summer festivals and events is a great way to have fun, unwind, and connect with the local community. All the annual summer events on this list are unique and offer something different, but what they all have in common is the dedication that the organizers show in offering visitors special experiences and memories that are sure to last a long time. Image by Bold Frontiers cc by 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