Learn what it was like to live in S.C. in the 1800s, hop on your motorcycle to raise money for Special Olympics and buy tickets for Journey from the Heart

SUMTER COUNTY

The Third Saturday Backcountry Series continues on Aug. 17 at Sumter Museum from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Learn what it was like to live in the South Carolina backcountry in the 1800s through volunteers at the Carolina Backcountry Homestead. See a blacksmith's forge, smokehouse, loomhouse, outhouse and more at 122 N. Washington St.

Iron Legacy Motorcycle Club is hosting the annual Palmetto Dream Ride to benefit The Dream Ride Experience for Special Olympics on Sunday, Aug. 18, covering 117 miles from Sumter to Great Falls. The event leaves from 1143 Broad St., with the group riding to Great Falls and back to Sumter at the Tobacconist Cigar Lounge, 1320 Broad St. Registration the day of the event will be from 7 to 9:30 a.m. A safety briefing will be held at 9:25, and then the trip will begin. There is no preregistration, only registration in person. Cars, trucks, bikes, trikes, spiders, slingshots, sport bikes and cruisers are all welcome to join. On the trip, two-wheeled motorcycles will be in front, followed by three-wheeled then four-wheeled vehicles. Registration for car and bike riders is $20 and $10 for passengers. Prizes, raffles and music will also be enjoyed at the event.

Gamecock City Farmers Market is open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays outside Central Carolina Technical College's Advanced Manufacturing Technology Training Center, 853 Broad St.

Sumter Farmers Market is up and running from noon to 5 p.m. Fridays through Nov. 22 at USC Sumter, 200 Miller Road. Grab some lunch at one of the many food trucks and purchase quality, farm-fresh products and unique hand-crafted items all at the market. SFMNP-Senior and WIC vouchers are accepted.

Find handmade crafts, fresh bread, specialty coffee, locally grown fruits and vegetables, pasture-raised means and more at the indoor American Legion Farmers Market. The market operates year 'round on Fridays from noon to 5 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 2 S. Artillery Drive, Sumter. Email farmersmarket@sumterpost15.com or call (803) 983-3249 for more information.

Journey from the Heart returns to the Sumter Opera House stage at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7. Ryan Christopher, former lead singer of Resurrection - A Journey Tribute, is back with his new project, "Journey from the Heart!" This duo honors the melodies of two rock legends, Journey and Heart. Ryan brings classic hits to life such as "Don't Stop Believin'," "Any Way You Want It," and many more, as Shareen Ann revives hits such as "Barracuda," "Alone" and "Crazy On You!" Purchase tickets at https://www.sumteroperahouse.com/journey-from-the-heart.

The Palmetto Optimist Club's Burger Cookoff event returns to downtown Sumter's Rotary Plaza on Sept. 14 from 2 to 7 p.m. for the third year to help raise money for families battling childhood cancer, and the club is looking for people to sign up to compete or become a sponsor. Teams interested in participating can email PalmettoOptimistClub@gmail.com for details. Teams will compete in two categories, People's Choice and Judges' Choice. Everything will help support Children's Cancer Partners of the Carolinas, with the money raised going to children in Sumter and Clarendon battling cancer. Visit www.palmettooptimistclub.com/s-projects-basic for more about the event and to sign up to participate.

Women in Sumter are invited to join Dr. Geraldine Mack on Saturday, Sept. 14, for a Teatime Table Talk Tea Party to build relationships and learn from each other. Check-in time is 10:30 to 11 a.m., and the event starts at 11 a.m. at Mack's Manor, 3 Lewis Circle, Sumter, going until 3 p.m. You're encouraged to wear comfortable tea party attire for the outdoors, including a fascinator, big hat or unique, decorated hat and comfortable flat shoes. The event is free, but seating is limited, so reserve your spot at https://tinyurl.com/3mhwt2sz.

Food truck lovers, your ideal weekend arrives Friday, Oct. 4 through Sunday, Oct. 6, when the Foodees Food and Culture Festival sets up at the American Legion Fairgrounds. A flyer for the event promises that it's "the Southeast's number one touring food truck festival," so don't miss it. There will be more than 60 food trucks and dozens of artisans and crafters for these three days of community fun. Admission is free. Hours will be: Friday, 1 to 9 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

CLARENDON COUNTY

The 21st-Annual Golf Classic Benefit Tournament for St. Matthias Montessori Pre-school will be held at The Players Course at Wyboo, 1560 Players Course Drive, Manning, on Saturday, Aug. 24, with registration at 8:30 a.m. and the tournament beginning at 9 a.m. Players Course members get discounted rates. For more information and to register, visit www.stmatthiasanglican.org/events.

Add the End of Summer concert to your calendar for Thursday, Sept. 12. The downtown Manning concert organized by the City of Manning will start at 6:30 p.m. and last until 8:30 p.m. Email ctrebil@cityofmanning.org or call (803) 435-8477 for more information.

LEE COUNTY

Hop aboard the whisper-quiet, open-air tour vehicle and explore the park along the historic Loop Road in Lee State Park on Saturday, Aug. 24. Guided tram tour guests will visit historic points of interest while keeping an eye out and ears open for park wildlife like white-tailed deer, many species of birds and turtles out and about on the park. Each tour runs from 10 a.m. to noon and costs $10 per person. Wear clothing appropriate for the weather and also for riding on a 15mph open-air tram, water and bug repellent. Binoculars, camera, sunglasses and a hat are optional. Registration deadline is one day before the program. Limited seating is available. Book your seats at https://tinyurl.com/4ybd57s5, then fill out the form at https://forms.office.com/r/86pLRh204z. Meet at the Environmental Education Center.

COLUMBIA

Learn more about the culture of the Latin community through the Main Street Latin Festival on Saturday, Aug. 24, on the 1300 and 1400 blocks of Main Street in downtown Columbia. Explore the culture through food, art, dance and music at this fun event for the whole family. Hear salsa, merengue, reggaetón and grupero music, watch folkloric dancers and find delicious Latin foods to try. The free festival will be Aug. 24 from 11 a.m. until 10 p.m.

Get a jump on some holiday shopping and find the perfect decor for your home at the Midlands Fall Arts and Crafts Market on Sept. 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sept. 15 from noon to 4 p.m. Admission and parking are free at the South Carolina State Farmers Market, 3483 Charleston Highway. The Midlands Crafters Association says it will have unique vendors and prices there and something for every visitor.

FLORENCE COUNTY

The Pee Dee Doll Club's 37th-Annual Doll and Toy Show and Sale is coming up on Saturday, Aug. 24, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the SiMT Conference Building behind Florence-Darlington Technical College, 1951 Pisgah Road, Florence. Verbal appraisals will be given for $5 an item, and the event will celebrate celebrity dolls. Admission is $6 for adults and free for children 12 and under. For more information, contact Angie Hayek at (843) 731-2107 or Lynn Benjamin at (843) 610-9215.

Florence RaceFest at the Market will be held at the Pee Dee State Farmers Market on Saturday, Aug. 31, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Pee Dee State Farmers Market is at 2513 W. Lucas St., Florence. All are welcome to this free event to kick off Race Weekend. There will be games, activities, arts and crafts, food, and family friendly fun, including Cozy Coupe Races, the Kenny Shelley Memorial Auto Fair and Acceleration Zone, where you can touch and see racing vehicles up close.

Lake City will present a free Gospel on the Green concert on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Village Green, 111 Henry St. Local performers will be featured in concert for fellowship and great gospel music. Bring your lawn chair and blanket and enjoy the concert.

KERSHAW COUNTY

Enjoy shopping for items from local artisans in the air-conditioned Revolutionary War Visitor Center in Camden during the Simply Cool Market Day on Saturday, Aug. 17, from 10 a.m. to noon. The center is at 212 Broad St., Camden. Everyone is welcome to shop and to see the center.

Interested in pirate tales? There will be a special edition Folklore and Legends Lantern Tour which will highlight some of the infamous pirates who visited South Carolina's shores on Thursday, Sept. 19, with some possible pirate sightings during the tour. The tour will end at MaCaa's Tavern, with complementary grog for all (alcohol and non-alcohol versions available). Tickets in advance are $12 or $15 on the day of the tour through Historic Camden Foundation. Buy them at https://tinyurl.com/36h667j6. The tour starts at 222 Broad St., Camden, at 7:30 p.m. and lasts one hour and 30 minutes.

For even more pirate-related shenanigans, check out Eventide - Party with the Pirates the next day, on Friday, Sept. 20. Also hosted by Historic Camden Foundation, the 7 to 11 p.m. adults-only event includes pirate shanties, a costume contest, snacks and a cash bar with colonial cocktails for those 21 and up at 222 Broad St., Camden. Get your tickets at https://tinyurl.com/2p9uyupd.

Put the Camden Horse and Hound weekend-long event on your calendar for Oct. 18-20. This third edition of the event will be hosted in partnership by The Camden Hunt and Hickory Top Farm. On that Friday, Oct. 18, attend a cocktail party at the Bloomsbury, then watch the Charity Polo Cup on Saturday, which will benefit Hickory Top Farm's therapeutic horsemanship programs. On Sunday, there will be food trucks, vendors, and family fun at the Horse and Hound Expo. For more information, email therealcamdenhunt@gmail.com or visit https://camdenhorseandhound.com. The event is at Camden Polo Field, 609 Polo Lane, Camden.

UPSTATE

The South Carolina Bigfoot Festival is returning to Westminster on Oct. 11-12. Since 2019, thousands of people descend on this small town during the month of October to celebrate and learn about the most well know mysterious creature in the world - Bigfoot! People from all over the United States have come to the festival since 2019 and many have returned every year. Whether or not you believe in the Big Fella, you will have fun listening to expert Bigfoot researchers, tapping your feet to live music, participating in or watching the multiple contests, or perusing the many vendors up and down Main Street Westminster. Vendors may apply to participate by going to www.scbigfootfestival.com or emailing scbigfootfestival@hotmail.com.