What to do across the Midlands: Stock up for winter at library's annual book sale, get tickets for Sumter Little Theatre's production and Cirque du Luxe

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SUMTER COUNTY

Friends of the Library Annual Book Sale began Thursday, Oct. 15, and continues at the following dates and times:

- Friday, Oct. 23, from 2 to 6 p.m.

- Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

- Sunday, Oct. 25, from 1 to 5 p.m.

Bag of Books Day is Oct. 25 with books costing $5 per bag. The book sale happens inside the main library branch's meeting room at 111 N. Harvin St. Book purchases are cash or check only. For more information on this event, contact Sumter County Library at (803) 773-7273. For more information on programs available at the library, visit www.sumtercountylibrary.org.

"Wiley and the Hairy Man" will run through Oct. 25 at Sumter Little Theatre, 14 Mood Ave. As a Youth Theatre production, there will be no Thursday shows. The show will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays, 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturdays and at 3 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets can be purchased at www.sumterlittletheatre.org.

Cirque du Luxe is coming to Sumter on Oct. 22-25 at Sumter Speedway. Cirque du Luxe is a family friendly live circus experience featuring incredible performers, exciting acts, comedy and a special K-Pop performance inspired by the world of K-Pop Demon Hunters. Showtimes are Thursday, Oct. 22 - 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 23 - 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 24 - 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 25 - 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. One child age 12 and under is free with each paid Adult General Admission ticket using promo code FREECHILD. For tickets and information, visit www.cirqueduluxe.com. Sumter Speedway is at 3150 Wedgefield Road, Sumter.

VFW Post 3034 Sumter is hosting a Halloween Trunk or Treat on Friday, Oct. 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. Bring the whole family for a spooktacular evening of Halloween fun. The post invites everyone in the community to come out, bring the kids, wear your favorite costumes and enjoy a safe and fun-filled Halloween evening with veterans and the VFW family. If you would like to decorate a trunk and hand out candy, contact VFW Post 3034 at (803) 773-3090 to sign up.

Experience a fall day in the 1800s in South Carolina during the Backcountry Fall Fest on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. "Step back in time and experience life in the Carolina Backcountry around 1800. Follow the trail through the homestead, with stops featuring historical interpreters, hands-on activities and fall traditions from the past," according to Sumter Museum. There will be festive treats for everyone, with all ages welcome and free admission. The Carolina Backcountry is at the museum, 122 N. Washington St.

Mayesville Presbyterian Church will open its fourth season of the Rejoicings Series with the world-class musicians of Brass Roots Trio. The event, like all events in the Rejoicings Series, is free. Donations are accepted, as the series is dependent upon donations for its development and continuation. Gifts can be made at the door; by mail to P.O. Box 141, Mayesville SC 29104; or online at www.mayesvillepres.org. The event will begin at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 109 W. Sumter St. in Mayesville, just off U.S. 76.

Save the date for Alice Drive Baptist Church's annual Family Fall Festival! On Oct. 25, the community is invited to the Loring Mill Campus from 4 to 6 p.m. to enjoy Treat Street, inflatables, snacks, food trucks at cost, and fun.

Calling all the girls, guys and ghouls, Sumter Police Department will host its annual Trick or Treat with Sumter's Superheroes on Friday, Oct. 30, at Crosswell Drive Elementary School, 301 Crosswell Drive. The event will feature Sumter Fire Department, Sumter County EMS, Sumter County Department of Juvenile Justice and S.C. Highway Patrol. The event begins at 6 p.m. and is open to the public.

Spend Halloween evening at Petoberfest this year for a safe, family-friendly holiday that will benefit Sumter SPCA. Visit the shelter at 1100 S. Guignard Drive from 4 to 7 p.m. that night for trick-or-treating, free Bark Park for the dogs, local vendors, furry friends and more. Everything is free. For more information, call the SPCA at (803) 773-9292. If you'd like to be a vendor, text Angel Hankins at (803) 840-5822 for vendor information.

Bring your basket and your costumes, as Sumter County Sheriff's Office invites families to its Trunk or Treat on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 2 to 5 p.m. at 1281 N. Main St. The event will include hot dogs, popcorn, chips, cotton candy, drinks and plenty of candy.

Taste the sweet success of a good treat at Sweet Success Bakery's Ghost and Goodies on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 4 to 8 p.m. at 27 S. Washington St. Join in on this event where eerie vibes meet tasty treats. Whether you're a ghost story lover or a candy fanatic, you can hang out, indulge and enjoying some chilling delights.

This year, Silverpaper is introducing a fundraising Sumter Witches Ride, a family-friendly Halloween event that will benefit Crosswell Children's Home. Join the business downtown at Lollibear, 101 N. Main St., for this 5K bike ride on Oct. 31 at 9 a.m. There will be a festival after at La Piazza. There will be live music, Halloween festivities and family fun. Register for the bike ride at https://strictlyrunning.com/gpuilreg-8l.asp.

GraceFest2026 will be held Saturday, Oct. 31, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Grace Cathedral Ministries, 60 Oswego Hwy., Sumter. There will be free food from local food trucks, carnival games and prizes, an indoor movie and more. The event is free and open to the public. For more information, call (803) 773-6497, extension 1.

Sumter author Leah L. Dawkins' newest novel, "Honeysuckle Swamp," will be released on Monday, Nov. 2, during a book signing and author's reception at Sumter Museum. The reception begins at 6 p.m. at 122 N. Washington St. According to her website, "'When Harper returns to her small South Carolina hometown, she's determined to build a new life, but investigating the finances of Truluck's most prominent families could put her and her mother in danger. Set against a missing child and an approaching hurricane, 'Honeysuckle Swamp' is a compelling Southern tale of mystery, family and finding your place in a community," according to the museum. Tickets are $10 for museum members and $15 for the public, which includes refreshments. Books will be available for purchase. Call (803) 775-0908 for more information.

Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11, and Sumter County Veterans Association announces its annual Sumter County Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony. The parade starts at 10 a.m. down Main Street, and the ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. on the courthouse front lawn, 141 N. Main St. There will be a vendor meet and greet on the back lawn of the courthouse after the ceremony. This year's event also celebrates America's 250th anniversary, and everyone is invited. For more information, contact Valerie Brunson at (803) 436-2303.

Sumter Civic Chorale's Christmas concert, "Sing the Songs of Bethlehem" by K. Lee Scott, will be presented on Sunday, Dec. 13, at 3 p.m. Trinity United Methodist Church, 226 W. Liberty St., Sumter. Admission is free, and all are welcome.

FLORENCE

You know fall is near when the Eastern Carolina Agricultural Fair announces its dates. The popular event is coming to 5226 E. Palmetto St., Florence, from 5 to 10 p.m. Oct. 22-Nov. 1, with amusement rides, entertainment, exhibits, fair food and much more. To learn more, visit www.ecafair.com/eca/index.asp.

The 2026 SC Pecan Music and Food Festival returns for its 21st year on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 123 N. Dargan St., Florence. "This exciting one-day festival is the area's largest event, drawing over 50,000 attendees each year. The festival consistently wins Best of the Pee Dee awards and has been featured in numerous national publications such as Travel + Leisure Magazine Online and AAA's Go Magazine." Jason Scheff, longtime lead singer of Chicago, will be the headline band. For additional information, visit www.scpecanfestival.com.

LEE COUNTY

The kids can still enjoy Scream Acres without all the scares and screams. Kids Day No Scare will be held Oct. 25 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Halloween haunted house. Bring a candy bucket to trick or treat through the house, then hop on the hay ride that won't have any scary monsters jumping out. This event is $10 per person. Regular scares will start at 7 p.m. The overall haunted house includes a haunted hayride and a swamp walk. Guests can also enjoy souvenirs, photo ops, and food from El Ray Antonio's Mexicanos. Find Scream Acres Haunted House at 1137 Old Camden Road, Bishopville. It operates on weekends through Oct. 31. Find more information and buy tickets at https://screamacreshauntedhouse.com.

Scream through 7,000 square feet of haunted house, 2 miles of horror along a trail and take the famous Kreepy Hollow bus ride at this year's terrifying attraction. Kreepy Hollow is back in Bishopville for Halloween, running several nights each week through Nov. 7. Find more information and get your tickets at KreepyHollowHauntedAttraction.com.