Clarendon briefs for April 21, 2023: Striped Bass Festival begins, Bassmaster Elite comes to Santee Cooper lakes and more

Striped Bass Festival kicks off tonight with rides, food, music
MANNING  — The 2023 Striped Bass Festival weekend will kick off at 6:30 p.m. Friday, April 21, at the gazebo off Keitt Street with rides, food and live music.
Super Saturday will begin at 10 a.m. April 22 with a parade followed by rides, car show, children’s art show, vendors and food trucks around the Courthouse Square.
For more information on the 2023 Striped Bass Festival, log onto the Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce’s Facebook page at ClarendonSCChamber.

Bassmaster Elite Series visits Santee Cooper April 27-30
CLARENDON COUNTY — The 2023 AFTCO Bassmaster Elite Series launches from John C. Land III Sport Fishing Facility, 4404 Greenall Road, Summerton, at 7 a.m. Thursday, April 27, for a four-day fishing tournament.
Boats will launch each day at 7 a.m. with weigh-ins each day at 3 p.m.
On Saturday-Sunday, April 29 and 30, an outdoor expo will be held beginning at noon at the landing. Exhibits from B.A.S.S. sponsors will be set up along with demo boat rides from several boat sponsors. Official B.A.S.S. merchandise will be on sale.
Several food and beverage vendors will be on hand selling barbecue, grilled food, shaved ice and more. Live music will also be provided before weigh-ins.
For more information on the event, log onto www.bassmaster.com.

MHS’ Rocket Girls IV Aviation Career Day slated for April 28
MANNING — Manning High School’s Air Force JROTC program is hosting the Rocket Girls IV Aviation Career Day from 9:45 a.m. until 3 p.m. Friday, April 28, at MHS, 2155 Paxville Highway.
Dozens of vendors showing women in aviation will be on site throughout the day. Food trucks will also be on site.
For more information on Rocket Girls IV Aviation Career Day or to schedule a time for your school’s STEM program to attend the event, contact Cedric Liqueur at (434) 365-8122 or Lt. Col. Frank Ladson at (803) 825-5038.

Birdfest May 5-6 at Wildlife Education Center, Pinewood
PINEWOOD — Birdfest offers a weekend of great music and activities on Friday-Saturday, May 5 and 6, at the Wildlife Education Center, 8444 Old River Road, Pinewood.
The area reserved for RVs and tent campers opens at 8 a.m. on May 5. Kids’ activities and the festival grounds open at 10 a.m. with music acts beginning at 5:30 p.m. with Cosmic Possums, Town Mountain and Steep Canyon Rangers.
On May 6, the festival grounds open at 8 a.m. with kids’ activities starting at 10 a.m. and music kicking off at 1:30 p.m. with Seth Walker, Henhouse Prowlers, Amanda Anne Platt and the Honeycutters, Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley, and Steep Canyon Rangers. The parade grounds closes at 11:30 p.m.
For more information or to purchase tickets, log onto www.birdfestmusic.com.

Clarendon County Master Gardeners’ Plant Sale April 28-29
MANNING – The Clarendon County Master Gardeners will host its annual Plant Sale from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. Friday, April 28, and from 9 a.m. until noon Saturday, April 29, at the Land, Parker and Welch Courtyard on Keitt St.
“Stan the Citrus Man” will be selling citrus trees and offering advice on planting and how to maintain citrus trees. Annuals, perennials and “Pass Along Plants” in a rainbow of colors will be on sale. Vegetable plants including some heirloom tomato varieties will also be on sale.
Get there early for the best selections.