Enjoy gallery opening this week, then comic and toy show, mahjong fundraiser, annual coin show and gun show at the end of August

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SUMTER COUNTY

Join the Sumter County Gallery of Art as it celebrates the opening of its new Community Gallery on the second floor, an enhancement to the Elizabeth White School of Art. The inaugural exhibition features collaborative works by Walter McNeil, Dr. Roseetta Davis, Sylvester Hickmon, Marie Lyriq Grady and Earnest Hampton. The Artist Reception & Gallery Talk will be held Wednesday, Aug. 19, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. The exhibition will be on view through Aug. 31. According to the gallery, "This new space will become a year-round rotating exhibition gallery showcasing local artists and students and is dedicated in honor of legacy donor Carol Swartz for her lasting commitment to arts education and our community. Admission is free. Come celebrate art, artists and the beginning of an exciting new tradition at the gallery!"

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.

Advantage Realty Group is hosting a 50/50 Fundraiser, with half of the money from the effort going to Hidden Wounds' food drive and the other half going to a lucky ticketholder. Tickets cost $1 each, and the winner will be chosen Saturday, Aug. 22, at 2 p.m. You can buy tickets at the group's office, 2573 Broad St., or scan the QR code with your phone.

The celebration of our nation's 250th birthday continues. Join Sumter Museum for an evening with award-winning author Andrew Lawler as he discusses his newest book, "A Perfect Frenzy: A Royal Governor, His Black Allies, and the Crisis that Spurred the American Revolution," which according to the museum is "a fascinating account of the overlooked events and individuals who helped shape the path to American independence." The Thursday, Aug. 27, at noon event includes a presentation by the author, audience Q&A, book sales and signing and reception included with ticket purchase. Ticket options are available, including admission-only options for members and non-members, as well as a package that includes a copy of "A Perfect Frenzy." Get tickets at https://tinyurl.com/mryh6cjt. The event will be held at Sumter Museum – Heritage Education Center, 122 N. Washington St.

Help send local students to camp through Mahjong with Mission on Thursday, Aug. 27, from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Tin Lizzie's Cafe in Sumter, 105 E. Wesmark Blvd., Suite 1. Sumter Young Life is hosting the fundraiser, and all proceeds support sending students from Sumter Young Life's Traditional, Wyldlife and Capernaum ministries to camp. No experience playing is needed to attend. Registration includes playing at a table, raffle entry and light refreshments. Register at https://tinyurl.com/7td7375e.

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.
Browse, shop and meet like-minded people at the fourth Sumter Comic and Toy Show on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be vendors from across the Southeast with an amazing selection of comics, vintage toys and cards at Sumter Original Brewery. Comic legend Bud Root, Andy Smith, Brian Shearer and Surtur will be signing, sketching and selling their wares. The brewery will debut its show-exclusive comic. This will be a family oriented event, with great books, toys, food, cards and beer (must be 21 to consume alcohol). Free admission. The brewery is at 2 S. Main St.

Fourth Fridays Concert Series returns 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 take-out. 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!

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.

Sumter's Marine Corps League No. 1202 will host a Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, Aug. 29, at the VFW No. 3034, 1925 Gion St., Sumter, from 8 to 11 a.m. Tickets are $7 in advance but can be purchased on the day of the event for $7. It is your chance to donate to Toys for Tots and get a great breakfast.

Sumter Symphony Orchestra's debut concert will be Saturday, Aug. 29, at 7 p.m. at Patriot Hall, 135 Haynsworth St. The performance will include Suite in E major, Clarinet Concerto, Adagio for Strings and Serenade for Strings. Tickets are $5 for students with ID, $10 for military, government employees, teachers, first responders and seniors and $40 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased at the event.

LEE COUNTY

Shrink Your Art at Lee State Park, 487 Loop Road, Bishopville, from 10 a.m.-noon on Aug. 22 or Sept. 5. In this fun recycle craft, participants will make art with No. 6 plastic (aka deli plastic) by baking it in the park's craft oven and watching it shrink. Earrings, keychain fobs, zipper pulls, window deflectors for wildbirds and more are just some of the items that can be made. Meet at the Environmental Education Center. Cost is $5 which includes one sheet of plastic, use of markers and other craft supplies and ranger-led guidance. Call (803) 428-4988.

FLORENCE

The Pee Dee Outdoor Classic returns to the Florence Center, 3300 W. Radio Drive, Florence, Friday-Sunday, Aug. 21-23. The outdoor expo will include hunting, camping, fishing, boating, ATVs, sporting goods, RVs, guns, knives and more. Interested in being a sponsor? Email our show manager at jpolsky@florencecenter.com for more information. Interested in being a vendor? Apply today: https://bit.ly/4vdDRBf​.

The Pee Dee Doll Club will host its 39th Annual Doll & Toy Show and Sale from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 29, at SiMT, 1951 Pisgah Road, Florence. This event offers a wide range of doll and toy vendors, verbal appraisals, raffle prizes and a silent auction. Raffle proceeds benefit the United Federation of Dolls and Camp Adaptabilities. Admission: Adults / $6; Children 12 & under / free. Verbal appraisals by Robin Wyatt & Bradley Justice, $5 per item.

Don't miss Rick Steve's Europe, A Symphonic Journey from 4-6 p.m . Sunday, Aug. 30, at FMU Performing Arts Center, 201 S. Dargan St., Florence. This performance "invites you to journey across Europe through music and storytelling inspired by European travel host, Rick Steves. Blending vivid imagery, cultural insight, and live orchestral music." Call (843) 661-4444. Purchase tickets at https://tinyurl.com/tvptu5we.

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.
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.

CAMDEN

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.