Enjoy time outdoors, fresh foods and music this summer

Farmers markets are in full swing for the growing season across Sumter:

American Legion Farmers Market is open every Friday from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Sumter fairgrounds, 2 S. Artillery Drive. The market has farm-fresh fruits and vegetables, unique crafts and delicious baked goods.

Gamecock City Farmers Market is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays until November outside Central Carolina Technical College's Advanced Manufacturing Technology Training Center, 853 Broad St. The market will continue to add vendors so that there is a little bit of something for everybody, from fresh fruits and vegetables to handmade jewelry. For weekly updates, visit the market's Facebook page.

Sumter Farmers Market is open from noon to 5 p.m. Fridays through Nov. 21 at USC Sumter, 200 Miller Road. Grab some lunch at one of the many food trucks and purchase quality, farm-fresh products and unique handcrafted items all at the market. SFMNP-Senior and WIC vouchers are accepted. Visit www.sumterfarmersmarket.com for more information.

South Sumter Farmers Market & Flea Market is held every Friday afternoon from 4 to 8 p.m. through Oct. 10 at 337 Manning Ave. Find fresh produce and homemade goods from a variety of vendors.

Join SC7 for an Expedition Hike at Poinsett State Park with your family this summer. On Wednesday, July 16, from 9 a.m. to noon, take a guided 3.5-mile hike and explore sections of the Knot, Coquina and Splice trails, seeing everything from pine uplands to lush, fern-filled ravines. You'll learn about the unique natural features of the park, its connection to the broader S.C. park system and ways to engage with the outdoors through hiking, conservation and stewardship. Meet at the park office parking lot. The park is at 6660 Poinsett Park Road, Wedgefield. If you can't make the morning hike, there will be another, shorter hike the same day from 2 to 4:30 p.m. with the group at Swan Lake Iris Gardens. The 2.25-mile hike will focus on local conservation efforts, student-led research and the community's environmental stewardship. Meet at Health Pavilion, 165 Garden St., Sumter. Both will be easy hikes that are open to all with free admission.

If hiking isn't your thing, perhaps kayaking with SC7? Take a 5.7-mile paddle around Sparkleberry Swamp on Thursday, July 17, from 9 a.m. to noon. Bring your own kayak or canoe, or book your excursion through Coastal Expeditions at https://coastalexpeditions.com. The swamp at the northern end of Lake Marion in South Carolina's Santee region is a submerged forest of cypress and tupelo trees with plenty to see, including great blue herons, white egrets, owls, woodpeckers and the prothonotary warbler. The trip is an easy paddle, free and open to all. Meet at Sparkleberry Landing Road.

City of Sumter Aquatics Center, 1115 S. Lafayette Drive, is open for the summer so families can cool down. The center is equipped with a six swim lane pool, diving blocks, lazy river, waterslide and wade pool with beach entrance and fountain and also offers hot showers, a concessions area, party rental, life jackets available at no charge, and lockers available for rent. Certified pool operators and aquatic facilities operators. Lifeguards, swim coaches, water aerobics and water safety instructors employed during the season are certified through the American Red Cross. The center is open to the public from Memorial Day to Labor Day. For additional information, visit www.sumtersc.gov/aquatics, call (803) 774-3998, or email aquatics@sumtersc.gov.

There are five bands scheduled to bring hits and all genres of tunes to downtown Sumter through the Fourth Fridays Concert Series this summer. The schedule this year is: June 27 - The Footnotes, July 25 - United Sound Entertainment, Aug. 22 - Chris Taylor & The Rumor and Sept. 26 - Sole Purpose. Concert attendance is free, and there will be plenty of food and drink available for sale. Sertoma will have plenty of cold brews for sale, Palmetto Optimist Club will be back with free books for the kids and popcorn for sale. Downtown restaurants will be open for dine-in and take-out.

Find a bite to eat this summer as Swan Lake Iris Gardens presents Food Truck Saturdays through Aug. 9. Each Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., get lunch from various food trucks with a nice view at the lake, 822 W. Liberty St. Admission to the gardens is free.

Find a new best buddy at the Dog-eared Book and Dog Adoption Event hosted by Under the Cover on Saturday, June 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The store is at 9 S. Main St. The event will support Lucky Paws Rescue Inc. You can meet dogs looking for their forever homes, learn about fostering and volunteer opportunities and, of course, find a new favorite book, too.

Cars and Coffee Sumter invites the community to join the group this summer to enjoy each other's company and check out all types of vehicles. Cars, trucks and motorcycles are welcome. Coffee, water and doughnuts will be available, first come, first served. Cars and Coffee Sumter T-shirts will also be available. Donations benefit Helping South Carolina, a 501(c)3 nonprofit of Sumter. Join the group, and bring your best ride. The events are at Gamecock Lanes, 817 Broad St., Sumter, on June 28, July 26 and Aug. 23 from 9 to 11 a.m. Email carsandcoffeesumter@gmail.com for more information.

Iron Legacy MC will host the Sumter Dreamride to benefit South Carolina Special Olympics on Saturday, July 12, with registration from 7 to 9 a.m. that day. The event will include a 50/50 raffle. The group will start at Sumter Hobby Lobby then ride to Great Falls, then head back to Sumter, ending up at Yucatan Mexican Restaurant and Tobacconist Cigar Lounge. There will be an afterparty at the Sumter Clubhouse after the ride. Bike participation is $20, and riders are $10. Email sumter.sc.ilmc@gmail.com for more information.

Kick up dust with Southern Vibes Entertainment as it presents Field Fest 2025: Boots On The Ground on Saturday, July 19. This country-themed extravaganza will be a day filled with good music, great vibes and, of course, dancing. Anyone under 18 will only be permitted with a parent or guardian. The event will be at 3155 Oswego Hwy. Buy tickets at https://tinyurl.com/wy364jfs.