February brings the Sumter National Enduro, Ian Sherwood, Repticon, The Red Clay Strays, a professional rodeo and more

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SUMTER COUNTY

The 56th-Annual Sumter National Enduro, a one-day, 50-plus-mile ride consisting primarily of single-track woods trail (with EZ-Outs) connected by dirt roads, woods roads and paved roads, will be held Sunday, Feb. 2, at SERMA Club House, 2300 Spots Road, Wedgefield. Follow the Green Start arrows on S.C. 261 from Wedgefield or Pinewood. The ride, limited to 200 entrants, will be self-guided following arrows or a route sheet. The route will include large portions of the NEPG National Enduro trail being held the following week. Riders will not be permitted to ride both events. This event is being made under a special-use permit obtained through Manchester State Forest and cannot be ridden at any other time. You must comply with a bike inspection at the starting line, must have tag, working headlight and taillight and spark arrestor. You and your bike must meet all S.C. requirements for public roadways. This is an AMA sanctioned event. AMA membership will be available at registration: Saturday registration, 4-6 p.m., and Sunday registration, 7-8:30 a.m. Riders meeting is at 8:30 a.m. and last rider out prior to 9:30 a.m. Return by 4 p.m. Free lunch/drink will be provided to all riders at the club house. Register online at www.serma.club. Riders should expect payment confirmation within a couple of days of entry. Entry fee is $80. Primitive camping and camper parking will be available at the SERMA Club House. Campfires will not be allowed. For information, contact Hector Snethen at (803) 968-4801 or email hectorsnethen@gmail.com.

A compelling new historical novel is set to shine a light on one of World War II's most chilling propaganda efforts - and Sumterites have a chance to meet its author. Jennifer Coburn, bestselling author of "Cradles of the Reich," released her latest work, "The Girls of the Glimmer Factory," on Jan. 28. At 6 p..m. Thursday, Feb. 6, she will greet residents within Temple Sinai, 11 Church St., for a conversation and book signing of the powerful read. Critics have begun to praise Coburn's novel for her ability to bring hidden corners of history to life, calling it a "fascinating and engaging novel" with clear indication that its author has done her research. Tickets for the event only are $10 for members and $15 for the public, and for the event, book and reception, $30 for members and $35 for the public. To purchase tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/mss8u5zx.

Enjoy a live performance at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, with a special Valentine's Day Acoustic Café with Canadian singer-songwriter Ian Sherwood. Sherwood, a born storyteller, uses a blend of folk and pop music to bring enjoyable live performances that thrive on intimacy to the Sumter Opera House stage, 21 N. Main St. Champagne and specialty desserts from Brubaker's Café & Bakery are included with the purchase of a ticket. Seating is general admission. To purchase tickets, visit www.sumteroperahouse.com/ian-sherwood. Social hour begins at 6:30 p.m., and the performance starts at 7:30 p.m.

Reignite your love with rock 'n' roll and experience the timeless classics of Creedence Clearwater Revival, performed by the Georgia Players Guild, at Ramble Tamble: The Creedence Clearwater Revival Experience at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at the Sumter Opera House, 21 N. Main St. Tickets are between $28 and $32 and can be purchased at www.sumteroperahouse.com/ramble-tamble.

CLARENDON

The Santee Cooper Phantom Outdoors is March 22 at Santee Cooper at John C. Land Landing, and first place is guaranteed $10,000. Entry fee is $210 per team online or $220 at the ramp. Enter one or more side pots or none. Blastoff number will be determined by order of payment.

CAMDEN

Celebrate Irish and Celtic heritage at Irish Fest Camden 2025 on Saturday, March 1, on the grounds of Kershaw County Airport, 2203 Airline Drive, Camden. Founded in 2017, this festival has grown into a beloved community event, attracting thousands of visitors each year. Visitors enjoy live Celtic music, Irish dancing, storytelling, a large selection of Irish beer, delicious food from more than 40 food trucks, whiskey tastings and more. The Lucky Leprechaun 5K takes place on Saturday morning, followed by the Highland Games, where athletes compete in traditional Celtic sports. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit https://irishfestcamden.com.

COLUMBIA

Repticon, a recognized leader in hosting reptile and exotic animal expos throughout the United States, is returning to Columbia on Saturday-Sunday, Feb. 1-2, at the Jamil Temple, 206 Jamil Road, Columbia. This 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 shop for a pet among the hundreds of reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, arachnids and small exotic animals. Also available will be merchandise, cages, supplies and both live and frozen feeders, as well as expert advice about caring for these animals. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Ticket options (sold online only): $20 Super Ticket (entry for both days); $15 Saturday (all day); $12 Saturday after 1 p.m.; $15 Sunday (all day); $7 for children 5-12; children 4 and under are admitted free. To purchase tickets or for more information about the show, visit https://repticon.com/south-carolina/columbia.

The Red Clay Strays will perform These Moments Tour Live at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, at The Township Auditorium, 1703 Taylor St., Columbia. Doors open at 7 p.m. Ticket prices are $99.75, $79.75, $74.75, $64.75 and $54.75. There is a four-ticket limit for this event. To purchase tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/bdh2a3ph.

Method Man & Redman will perform Saturday, Feb. 8, at The Township Auditorium, 1703 Taylor St., Columbia. Also performing will be Skyzoo, Landon Wordswell, Trvy & The Enemy, Bakari JB & Rayel, Pat X and DJ Scrib. Ticket prices are $183, $118, $108, $88 and $78. There is a eight-ticket limit for this event. To purchase tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/5c54kkca.

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons The Last Encores will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, at The Township Auditoriumm, 1703 Taylor St., Columbia. Ticket prices are $139.50, $99.50, $79.50, $69.50 and $59.50. There is an eight-ticket limit for this event. To purchase tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/zht8cv7m.

Tank & Ginuwine will present The R&B Valentine's Day Explosion at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, at The Township Auditorium, 1703 Taylor St., Columbia. Special guests Sunshine Anderson and comedian George Wilburn. Ticket prices are $178, $128, $102.50, $92.50 and $82.50. There is an eight-ticket limit for this event. To purchase tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/484apms8.

Explore the Northern Lights in the digital dome planetarium of the South Carolina Museum, 302 Gervais St., Columbia, through Feb. 28, 2025. "During this award-winning show created by some of Iceland's best-known scientists, writers, photographers and musicians, you will not only witness the beauty of the aurora above Earth, but also explore how these stunning displays of colors have also been seen on other planets and moons throughout our galaxy," according to the museum's website. To learn more and plan your visit, go to https://scmuseum.org/explore/astronomy/planetarium/arora.

Take the family and spend the day at the largest wildlife show in the Carolinas, the Palmetto Sportsmen's Classic, March 28-30 at the S.C. State Fairgrounds, 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia. The classic features presentations on archery, animal displays, antler scoring, DockDogs, the Hawg Trough (an aquarium of 400 gallons of water and multiple types of fish with a pro angler sharing fishing tips and lure presentation), the SCDNR fishing pond, hunting, conservation, fishing and more. If it has to do with the outdoors, you will find it here. Hours for the classic are Friday, noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. For information and tickets, visit www.psclassic.com.

FLORENCE

The Florence Stampede and Pro Rodeo, presented by Booty Brothers Western Store, returns to the Florence Center, 3300 W. Radio Drive, on Feb. 7-8, 2025, marking its 10th anniversary with a weekend of high-energy rodeo action and fun for all ages. This event will feature top-ranked cowboys and cowgirls from across the country, competing against some of the most award-winning livestock in professional rodeo. The lineup will include bareback riding, saddle bronc riding, calf roping, team roping, cowgirls barrel racing and wild Brahma bull riding. Beyond the arena, the Florence Stampede and Pro Rodeo offers an engaging experience for the entire family. Attendees will enjoy a variety of vendors offering delicious food, unique merchandise, and much more. Rising country music singer Shaylen will take the stage for a special performance on Feb. 7 following the rodeo action. Since her debut single - "What If I Don't," a streaming sensation on every platform garnering over 26 million streams just on Spotify alone - she has been carving her mark on Nashville with six highly-streamed acclaimed songs released under the Two Hats Music Group banner. Tickets for the rodeo can be purchased at the Florence Center Box Office or online at www.FlorenceCenter.com.

Francis Marion University Performing Arts, 201 S. Dargan St., Florence, welcomes one of the most accomplished bands in American roots music, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Saturday, March 1. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band features founding members Jeff Hanna (lead vocals, guitar) and Jimmie Fadden (drums, harmonica, vocals); longtime bandmate Bob Carpenter (keys, vocals) - a member since 1980; along with Jim Photoglo (bass, vocals); Jaime Hanna (guitar, vocals); and Ross Holmes (fiddle, mandolin, vocals). According to the FMU website, the band's "career breakthrough came in 1970 with the release of the record Uncle Charlie & His Dog Teddy and the single "Mr. Bojangles," a folksy Top 10 pop hit. In 1972, they released the first of three groundbreaking Will The Circle Be Unbroken records, collaborating with many of the best bluegrass, country and folk artists in the world. Purchase tickets at https://tinyurl.com/2hnx4v3f.

Power Comicon returns on Saturday, March 15, to Florence Center, 3300 W. Radio Drive, Florence. The event will feature comics, toys, statues, art, costume apparel, pop culture memorabilia for all ages, comic artists, writers and other comic-related guests as well as a cosplay contest with more than $1,000 in cash and prizes. For additional information, visit https://tinyurl.com/5xvy94p5.

Multi-platinum country artist Gary Allan will be at The Florence Center on Friday, March 21. Tickets are available at FlorenceCenter.com. Allan's 13-song album, Ruthless, features songs produced by Mark Wright, Tony Brown, Greg Droman, Jay Joyce and Allan himself. His previous album, Set You Free, topped the Billboard 200 (Pop Chart), a career first for Allan. The album also made its debut at the top of the Billboard Country Album chart (for the fourth time in a row), and produced his fifth #1 country radio chart topper with "Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain)." The California native has released eight additional studio albums selling over 8 million albums, been certified platinum on three back-to-back albums and been certified gold five times. Allan has five #1 hits at country radio, 14 Top 10 hits and more than 2.8 billion total streams. He is described as "dark and dreamy" in Entertainment Weekly and deemed a "maverick" by Rolling Stone. He has appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Live with Kelly and Michael and Jimmy Kimmel Live.

ORANGEBURG

Turkey hunting aficionados, enjoy a night of fellowship and tasty food to support wild turkey conservation during the TFT Blackwater Flock Conservation Dinner on Friday, Feb. 28, from 6 to 10 p.m. You may also win a raffle prize during the dinner and meet fellow Turkeys for Tomorrow members. If you're not a member yet, you can sign up or renew your membership at the event to take part in the raffles and help support the wild turkey population. The event is at Govindbhai Community Center, 1175 Five Chop Road, Orangeburg. Get tickets at https://tftregistration.org/registration.

Remember the Foodees Food and Culture Festival that visited Sumter in 2024? In 2025, it's coming to Orangeburg for three days full of food and fun for everyone. Check out dozens of food trucks from Feb. 28 to March 2 at the Orangeburg County Fairgrounds, 350 Magnolia St., Orangeburg, and try something you've never eaten before. When you're stuffed, browse booths from dozens of crafters and artisans. The event organizers call this "the Southeast's No. 1 touring food truck festival," so don't miss out! Friday's hours are 1 to 7 p.m.; Saturday's hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday's hours are 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Visit www.foodeesfest.com or follow Foodees for updates and announcements on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok @foodeesfest.