Gospel stage play 'Kinfolk' comes to Patriot Hall on July 11, comedians Brandon Rainwater and Jas Gill to perform July 25

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SUMTER COUNTY

Sumter Farmers Market is now 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.

The Board of Directors of the Mary McLeod Bethune Birthplace and Memorial Park will celebrate Mary McLeod Bethune's 151st birthday on Friday, July 10, at 6 p.m. at Memorial Park, 1175 Mary McLeod Bethune Road, Mayesville. A donation of $25 is requested. Call (803) 840-1593 for more information.

Go on a Reading Adventure with Curious George with Sumter Museum and Temple Sinai Jewish History Center at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, July 11, at the center, 13 Church St. Families are invited to enjoy George's Zoo Adventure through interactive storytelling, hands-on activities and fun for children of all ages. The event is free.

The new gospel stage play "Kinfolk" is coming to Patriot Hall on Saturday, July 11, at 2 p.m. This is a biblically based, thought-provoking comedy/gospel stage play by E' Faith Productions and writer/director Dr. Effie Hilton-Mitchell. Buy your tickets at https://tinyurl.com/ms3d6f2m. Doors open at 1 p.m. at 135 Haynsworth St.

Celebrate outdoor recreation, community wellness and conservation at SC7 Day 16 - Swan Lake Iris Gardens and Prisma Health Shot Pouch Greenway. The July 16 event, sponsored by South Carolina 7 and South Carolina National Heritage Corridor, will begin with an outdoor recreation expo and community gathering at 8 a.m. at Heath Pavilion at Swan Lake followed by a 4-mile walk at 9 a.m. through the gardens and along the pouch. "Participants will experience beautiful gardens, wetlands, trails and the new Broad Street Trailhead while learning about the importance of accessible green spaces and community partnerships." For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/7cwr5nyv.

Need a laugh? Don't miss Sumter Comedy Showcase: Double Trouble with Brandon Rainwater and Jas Gill on the Patriot Hall stage at 7 p.m. Saturday, July 25. Get your tickets at https://tinyurl.com/2z5pnabj.

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.

Fourth Fridays Concert Series returns July 24 with Honey & New Era, 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!

The 2026 Krawlin' For Christ Jeep Show featuring Jeep vendors, live music, food vendors, RC course and a Jeep Show and Shine Competition will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, July 25, at Sumter County Civic Center, 700 W. Liberty St. Entry to this indoor and outdoor event is free to the public. All proceeds will benefit St. Jude Children's Hospital. To find out more, go to https://Krawlinforchrist.wixsite.com/my-site-1. The show and shine registration booth will be open from 8:30 to 11 a.m. the day of the event. Cost to register your Jeep is $20, and all proceeds will go to St. Jude Children's Hospital. There will be raffles. No alcohol allowed.

Have fun while preparing for school at the Sumter Police Department Back 2 School Bash from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, July 28, at Birnie HOPE Center, 210 S. Purdy St. There will be free Kona Ice, face painting, balloon artists and DJ Howie D providing the music. On site will be Sumter Fire Department, Sumter County EMS, S.C. Department of Natural Resources, Sumter County DJJ, Tandem Health, Duke Energy, SAFE Federal Credit Union, Durant Children's Center, SAFE Kids Sumter County, YMCA of Sumter and more. Rain Date is July 30.

The US MTB Series returns to Poinsett State Park, Wedgefield, for another edition of The Knot MTB race at 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9. Get tickets at https://tinyurl.com/366bwxbt.

CLARENDON COUNTY

The S.C. Charity Golf Tournament will be held Saturday, Aug. 8, at Santee Cooper Country Club, 630 Santee Drive, Santee. Registration begins at 8 a.m., with shotgun start at 9 a.m. Cost is $75/player and $300/team. Tournament prizes include Closest to Pin, Longest Drive and raffles/door prizes. For additional information, contact Kenneth Johnson at (803) 410-0976 or email info@jwcmemorial.org.

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.

Brew at the Zoo returns to Riverbanks Zoo & Garden, 500 Wildlife Parkway, Columbia, on Friday, Aug. 7. Try a new brew or sip an old favorite while you walk through the zoo. Use your souvenir tasting glass to sample from more than 200 specialty domestic, import and microbrews. Tickets are $80 general public; $70 Riverbanks members. Purchase tickets at www.riverbanks.org/events/brew-at-the-zoo.

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.

FLORENCE

The first Florence Card Fest will be held 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, July 18, at the Southeastern Institute of Manufacturing and Technology, 1951 Pisgah Road, Florence. There will be more than 125 vendor tables selling sports cards from all eras, Pokemon and TCG cards, rare and high-end cards, dollar boxes and deals. Buy, sell and trade. General admission is $4. Purchase tickets at https://tinyurl.com/79kmbm4j.