Get outside to enjoy a fall concert, farmers' markets, annual Labor Day gospel concert at the park and more this season

Sumter Farmers Market is open every Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and the first and third Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 200 Miller Road. Shop fresh and local produce and pasture-raised meat, sweet treats, olive oils, sauces, salad dressings, jams and jellies, freeze-dried treats, lemonade, crafters, artisans, soaps, specialty teas and coffees, food trucks and more.

Shop local on Friday evenings from 4 to 8 p.m. at the South Sumter Farmer's and Flea Market through Oct. 9. 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. Vendors are welcome to sell their goods. Call (803) 774-7776 to reserve your space at no charge.

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 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.

Temple Sinai Jewish History Center, 11 Church St., welcomes the public to If the Windows Could Talk: Children's Bible Stories Series from 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. on the following dates: Sept. 5, The 10 Commandments (featuring Moses). The series "is designed to be a fun experience for your children to hear the stories associated with Temple Sinai's beautiful and historic stained glass windows."

Shonda English is hosting Gospelfest featuring special guest Luther Barnes and The Sunset Jubilaires, Lee Burgess and Resurrection, Soul Alliance, The Wilson Family of Cades and more on Monday, Sept. 7, from noon to 6 p.m. Gates open at 10 a.m. Co-host will be Elijah "Mr. Thaddeus" Bradford. This annual Labor Day celebration will be held at Bishop W. T. English Memorial Park, Sumter, 3735 Congruity Road. Food trucks and food stations will be on site. Register to win a 30th anniversary T-shirt and other anniversary giveaways. No smoking or alcohol allowed, and security will be enforced by Sumter County Sheriff's Office. For more information, call (803) 840-2809 or (803) 848-1866. For ticket information, visit Imports Ltd., 9 N. Main St.

Celebrate independent filmmaking at the 2026 Swan Lake Premiere Film Festival, coming up Sept. 11-13. The three-day program at Sumter Little Theatre includes a special 9/11 presentation, official-selection screenings, screenplay awards, a pitch fest and an awards show. According to the theater, "The Swan Lake Premiere Film Festival welcomes films from around the world across all genres-including drama, comedy, thriller, horror, sci-fi, animation, documentary, music videos, faith-based films, and Southern storytelling. Whether you're a first-time filmmaker or a seasoned professional, SLPFF celebrates the diversity and daring spirit of independent cinema. Proceeds from the Festival will benefit the Sumter Little Theatre and Sumter Museum." Learn more about the competition, buy tickets and submit a film if you'd like at www.slpff.com.

African Queenz and Seniors United will present the 2nd Annual Senior Citizens Prom on Sunday, Sept. 13, with all proceeds going toward future senior events. Admission for 62 and older is $5 and for under 62 is $10. There will be a cash bar. The event will be held at Silver Spoon Event Center, 670 W. Liberty St., from 5 to 8 p.m. that day. For more information, visit www.theseniorsunited.org.

Join Sumter County Gallery of Art for Making Space each month. According to the Facebook page, Executive Director La Ruchala Murphy" is moving her desk to the studio to work on a hands-on art project and you're invited to pull up a chair and join in. No agendas, no presentations and no artistic experience required. Just two hours to work side by side and create something from scratch." The meetings are from 4 to 6 p.m. at 200 Hasel Street, Room 202. The events are free, but register at https://tinyurl.com/yy9tepbr to help prep materials. Remaining dates and topics this year are: Aug. 20: Jasper Johns Inspired Map Flags; Sept. 17: Charles Demuth Inspired Number Drawing; Oct. 15: Pennsylvania Dutch Folk Art; and Nov. 12: Matisse Inspired Collage With Translucent Paper.

The Major General Tom Olsen Memorial Kiwanis Golf Tournament is coming up quickly on Friday, Sept. 18, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. This annual Kiwanis golf tournament community service fundraiser will be at the Links at Lakewood, 3600 Green View Parkway, Sumter. There is a 9 a.m. shotgun start. For more information or if you have questions, contact Bill Hoge at (803) 795-9299, (803) 717-6575 or william.h.hoge@gmail.com.