Just a few events to choose from: Flower show, sheep shearing, cruise-in, car show, circus, Shrimp Feast, plant sales, birdwatching

To make a submission to our events list, email pressrelease@theitem.com with EVENTS in the subject line.

SUMTER COUNTY

Sumter Opera House will present multi-instrumentalist and storyteller Nicholas Edward Williams at its Acoustic Cafe Series on Friday, April 17, at City Centre, 21 N. Main St. Social hour begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by the performance at 7:30 p.m. Host of the acclaimed roots history podcast American Songcatcher, Williams is "dedicated to 'playing it forward' by preserving the songs and styles that shaped America: ragtime, Piedmont blues, traditional folk, old time, and early country." Seating is general admission and tickets are $35 ($30 + $5 Box Office Fee). Call the box office at (803) 436-2616 or purchase tickets at www.sumteroperahouse.com/nicholas-edward-williams.

If you like color, flowers and art, this event is perfect for you. The Council of Garden Clubs of Sumter Inc. and Sumter County Gallery of Art will present the third-annual Mary Hinson Flower show at 11 a.m. Friday, April 17, and 5 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at 200 Hasel St. The exhibition titled "Clouds of Color" is a National Garden Club Small Flower Show. The floral designs in the formal exhibition space will be in response to the abstract photographs of artist Kim Keever. In the second gallery, the "Abstract Expressions" of John Cotner and Lydia Sera will be presented.

Don't miss the 16th Annual Sheep Shearing Event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at Old McCaskill's Farm, 377 Cantey Lane, Rembert. Highlights of the day are: wool from sheep to shawl; shearing the sheep; Border Collie demonstrations; concessions; tractor simulator; horseback rides; bluegrass music; knitters, spinners and weavers; hayrides; goats milk; soapmaking; face painting and more. Tickets are available at https://tinyurl.com/bd92nzru.

Hidden Wounds will hold its first Cruise-In from 5 to 8 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at 21 S. Washington St. The group is planning on holding a cruise-in the third Saturday of each month.

Got a nice ride? Show it off at the CCTC S.E.E. Car Show on Saturday, April 18, at Central Carolina Technical College, 506 N. Guignard Drive. The event by Ken Bernard and Sumter Car Meets and Events will include trophies for Classic, Modern and Truck/Jeep vehicles, as well as Best in Show and People's Choice. The show is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with late registration until 11:30 a.m.

Looking for fun for the entire family? Check out Zerbini Family Circus from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 19, or from 6 to 10 p.m. Monday, April 20, at Sumter Speedway, 3150 Wedgefield Road. Purchase tickets at eventticketscenter.com.

Join Sumter Museum's 24th-annual Shrimp Feast from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 23, at the museum, 122 N. Washington St. Tickets are $50 for members and $75 for the public and get you all-you-can-eat shrimp skewers, boiled shrimp, grilled shrimp, shrimp and grits, barbecue, Lowcountry boil and all-you-can-drink beer, wine and soft drinks. Entertainment will be provided by Chappell Court Band. There will be a silent auction in McKenzie Hall. For additional information, visit Sumter Museum.org or follow the museum on Facebook.

Promoted as "a celebration of resilience and hope," the African Children's Choir "Just As I Am" Tour will visit Westminster Presbyterian Church, 230 Alice Drive, at 7 p.m. Friday, April 24. The choir, composed of talented youth aged 8-12 from vulnerable backgrounds, proves the potential of African youth to overcome adversity. To purchase tickets, visit africanchildrenschoir.com/tour-dates.

Looking to see high-level college tennis? Check out the Conference Carolinas Championship Friday-Monday, April 24-27, at Palmetto Tennis Center, 400 Theatre Drive. The event brings together collegiate teams from across the Southeast for four days of competition. Visit www.sumtersc.gov/palmetto-tennis-center/tournament-schedule.

Grab your golf clubs for the 2026 Chamber Cup Golf Tournament presented by SAFE Federal Credit Union from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, April 24, at Beech Creek Golf Club, 1800 Sam Gillespie Blvd. "The Chamber Cup is the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce's signature golf tournament - bringing together business leaders, professionals, and partners to celebrate relationships, collaboration and community growth." Visit https://tinyurl.com/38e9d4bd.

See who is crowned at the next Iris Festival Pageant at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, April 25, at Lakewood High School Fine Arts Center, 350 Old Manning Road. For additional information, visit Iris Festival Pageant on Facebook.

Taste dishes the chefs of Quixote Hospitality would cook for celebrity chef Guy Fieri in Diners and Dives with Sumter Cut Rate at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 29, at 32 S. Main St. Tickets are $81.88 and are available at https://tinyurl.com/33vetvzj. Tickets include a four-course meal (three savory, one dessert).

Up for a challenge? Join Sumter Family YMCA for its Indoor TRYathlon at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 2, at 510 Miller Road. The sprint-style triathlon is designed for all fitness levels. Participants will complete a 500-yard swim in the lap pool, a 10-mile indoor bike ride and a 1-mile run along Shot Pouch Greenway. Modified options are available, including water walking, recumbent bike and treadmill, so everyone can participate comfortably. Registration includes a commemorative event T-shirt. The event is open to the public.

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: May 2, The Blessing (featuring Isaac and Jacob); June 6, David the Shepherd; Aug. 1, The Burning Bush (featuring Moses); and 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."

Shop local, try out treats from various food trucks and spend time with friends at the Craft and Vendor Fair hosted by American Heritage Girls Troop SC2911 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 2, at New Salem Baptist Church, 2500 W. Oakland Ave.

Explore local Revolutionary roots with Sumter Museum and Sumter250 on a guided Historical St. Mark's Parish Revolutionary War Tour from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 2. Enjoy four stops on a guided bus tour, uncovering the people, places and pivotal moments that shaped Sumter's connection to the American Revolution. Lunch is included. The event is $20 for Sumter Museum members and $25 for non-members. Please arrive by 9:20 a.m. Purchase tickets at https://tinyurl.com/5y34ykxa.

CLARENDON

The Clarendon Master Gardeners will be having a plant sale on Friday, April 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, April 18, 9 a.m. to noon in Manning at the Land Parker Welch courtyard, 29 S. Mill St., Manning. Beautiful annuals, perennials and some unusual pass-along plants as well as a variety of tomato plants will be available. Stan the citrus man will be in attendance with a selection of citrus trees and to answer care questions.

FLORENCE

The Pee Dee Spring Plant and Flower Festival returns to the Pee Dee State Farmers Market, 2513 W. Lucas St., Florence, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, April 16-18, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, April 19. This free event features home, yard and garden decor, along with crafts, spring plants, in-season certified S.C. produce and more.

The 44th-Annual Florence Greek Festival will be held Thursday, April 30, to Saturday, May 2, at 2990 S. Cashua. Enjoy Greek food, beer and wine, as well as hear live music, watch Greek dancers and take a church tour. For additional information, call (843) 662-5471 or email info@gotflorence.com.

LAKE CITY

Every plant lover should mark their calendar for the Moore Farms Botanical Garden Spring Plant Sale from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 25, at the farm at 100 New Zion Road, Lake City. Purchase unique plants from the Moore private collection - many grown exclusively for this sale - including rare and hard-to-find annuals and perennials. Prices are set low to encourage gardening and botanical exploration. Bring a wagon to make sure you can take plenty home. The Vendor Market will feature local and regional nurseries, greenhouses and gardens, plus craft vendors and food trucks. Explore the 65-acre property in full spring bloom all for free while you shop. The 2026 Spring Plant Sale list is on the website moorefarmsbg.org.

Join Jay Keck, SCWF's expert bird guide and birdwatcher, for the Birding 101 / Walking Workshop at Moore Farms Botanical Garden, 100 New Zion Road, Lake City. Explore the garden as Keck teaches how to identify songbird species by their calls, spot visual cues and discover where birds are most likely to be found. After the walk, bring your lunch (not provided) and enjoy an informative presentation. The event is perfect for beginners and seasoned birders. For tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/23nw3xtx.

COLUMBIA

Experience the music, culture, food and performing arts of nearly 60 countries at the Columbia International Festival on Saturday-Sunday, April 18-19, at 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia. Sample exotic flavors, watch staged performances, see traditionally dressed representatives from other countries and shop booths of authentic clothing, crafts, jewelry and souvenirs from across the world, all while learning about other cultures. To learn more, visit cifonline.org or call (803) 799-3452.

Enjoy the finest plates and pours Columbia has to offer at the Columbia Food and Wine Festival Wednesday-Sunday, April 22-26. This award-winning festival has earned recognition as a must-attend event for foodies across the Southeast. Since its beginning, the festival has welcomed more than 15,600 guests and featured more than 375 culinary partners. To learn more, visit colafoodandwine.com.

"Swan Lake" just got better. The World Ballet Company will present "Swan Lake" along with a live orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 28, at Koger Center for the Arts, 1051 Greene St., Columbia. "The legendary tale of 'Swan Lake' takes flight in a breathtaking production from World Ballet Company, as fate and magic entwine in a timeless battle between good and evil. Performing with a live orchestra, and featuring a cast of 50 international dancers, over 150 radiant hand-sewn costumes and stunning hand-crafted sets, this spellbinding ballet captures every heart-pounding moment - from the Dance of the Little Swans to the Black Swan's 32 fouettés, and every pirouette in between." For additional information on the World Ballet Company, visit https://worldballetcompany.com/columbia. To purchase tickets, visit https://tinyurl.com/779thtae.

Get your tickets now for the action-packed WWW Friday Night SmackDown at 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 15, at Colonial Life Arena, 801 Lincoln St., Columbia. Purchase tickets at ticketmaster.com and at the Prisma Health Box Office. The event will feature undisputed WWE Champion Drew McIntyre, The American Nightmare Cody Rhodes, WWE Women's Champion Jade Cargill, United States Champion Carmelo Hayes, Tiffany Stratton, Sami Zayn, Randy Orton and many more. Talent subject to change. The Ringsider Package will be available at ticketmaster.com and includes the best seats in the house (ringside, directly across from cameras) and exclusive merchandise.