Possum Trot is back this week after 30 years with 2 days of fun, and put fall events on your calendar

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SUMTER COUNTY

It's back after nearly 30 years - Pinewood Activity League will hold Possum Trot 2024 from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, and 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday, Sept. 7, at 20 East Clark St. in Pinewood. The two-day event is complete with live bands, including Sumter County's Green Swamp Collective, a gospel hour with various performances, school performances, a car and truck show, truck and tractor pull, street party, vendors and food trucks.

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.

The Sumter High Steppers Annual Trail Ride is coming up on Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 12-14 at Greenfield Farms, 4585 Spencer Road, Rembert. Gates open at noon, and admission is $10 per day. There will be RV hookups available. Friday includes a fish fry from 6 to 8 p.m. and a night ATV ride, and on Saturday, there will be a trail ride at 10 a.m., barrel racing, pole bending, a bloomer race, hayrides, kids' games and more. DJ D Reese will also be there, along with emcee Big Clint and DJ Not Not Bang Bang and Honey & the New Era Band.

See Terence Lonon and Jim Quick and Coastline on Friday, Sept. 20, during the Multicultural Festival downtown. Doors open at 6 p.m. with the concert beginning at 6:30 p.m. on the grounds of Patriot Hall, 135 Haynsworth St. Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the music. Food trucks will be on site. Tickets are $20 for adults and $5 for children, available at Patriot Hall, (803) 436-2260.

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

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. on Brooks Street between Rigby and Boyce streets. Food trucks will be on hand serving a variety of delicious street fare. Email ctrebil@cityofmanning.org or call (803) 435-8477 for more information.

Veterans, active-duty service members, first responders and their families are invited to the Heroes on the Water Catfish Craze at the Borrow Pit to kayak and fish and enjoy the outdoors to help with their healing journeys, part of the Lowcountry Heroes on the Water group's events. "We understand that every healing journey is unique, and our goal is to make every experience as comfortable as possible," according to the group. The event is on Saturday, Sept. 14. Everyone will be paired with a HOW volunteer, and the day starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. at Borrow Pit Launch, 13668 S.C. 260, Manning. Learn more about the event at https://tinyurl.com/ys7pj8cf.

Grab your fishing gear and get ready to hit the tournaments out of John C. Land III Landing, 4404 Greenall Road, Summerton. In September: 9/12-9/14 - Major League Fishing Toyota Series; 9/21 - ABA Couples SC Division; 09/28, Fall Open Team Bass Tournament (Compete for a $5,000 first-place prize as part of the annual Duckfest events leading up to the festival. Entry fee is $170, which includes Big Fish. There will be a $25 optional side pot at the ramp, and there is a $25 late fee if you sign up after Sept. 20.)

Stroll Main Street Manning during Arts Walk from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3. Attendees will be able to enjoy art featuring an array of different mediums while strolling through downtown businesses. Main Street Manning is also looking for both artists and businesses to participate in this event. Musicians, dancers, painters, sculptors, fiber artists, poets and other artists are invited to be part of the festivities. If you're interested, contact Carrie Trebil at (803) 433-5132 or email her at ctrebil@cityofmanning.org.

Clarendon County Fire Rescue's annual Community Safety Day will be held from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at J.C. Britton Park, 3057 Raccoon Road, Manning. The free event will include "Trunk or Treat," food, candy and lots of other fun activities. Children can even wear their costumes. Fire trucks, ambulances, a medical helicopter, law enforcement vehicles, tractors and more cool stuff will be there.

The 10th-annual Duckfest will be held on Saturday, Nov. 2, throughout downtown Summerton with many events held in the weeks and days leading up to the main day. The Duckfest Fall Open Team Bass Tournament will be held on Saturday, Sept. 28, at John C. Land III Landing. The Miss Duckfest pageant will be held on Sunday, Oct. 13, at Weldon Auditorium. On Saturday, Nov. 2, dozens of events will be held throughout downtown Summerton, including a cornhole tournament, dog retrieving demonstration, Duckfest Cook-Off, car show, Clarendon County Fire Rescue demonstration, lots of delicious food and many more games and fun activities. For more information or if you'd like to become a vendor, log onto duckfestfun.com or email duckfestfun@gmail.com.

COLUMBIA AREA

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.

Jubilee: Festival of Black History & Culture, presented by Ambetter from Absolute Total Care and hosted by Historic Columbia, will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at Mann-Simons Site, 1403 Richland St., Columbia. Jubilee is a celebration everyone can enjoy and features live music and entertainment, artist demonstrations and marketplace vendors selling a variety of wares, products and art. There will also be vendors selling food, non-alcoholic beverages, and beer and wine. The Kids Zone will be available with educational and family friendly activities, presented in partnership with the Columbia (SC) Chapter of the Links, Inc. For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/5yzzxmaw.

The Irmo Okra Strut 50th Celebration will be held Friday-Saturday, Sept. 27-29, at Moore Park (formerly Irmo Community Park), 7473 Church St., Irmo. Festivities include more than 100 arts and crafts exhibitors, Okryland's kids' area, okra-eating and -growing contests, and a full day of musical entertainment. For additional information, visit https://okrastrut.com or call (803) 781-7050.

The Palmetto Peanut Boil, now in its 16th year, will highlight the best-of-the-best cooks and recipes in South Carolina. The competition features teams vying for the honor of the championship trophy and bragging rights for another year. Along with the competition, there is live music, food and kids' entertainment. This year's event will be held Saturday, Sept. 28, from noon to 6 p.m., in the 2900 block of Devine Street in Columbia. Admission is free, and all proceeds from the sale of food and beverages benefit Animal Mission. For additional information, visit https://animalmission.org/palmettopeanutboil.php.

FLORENCE COUNTY

Love all things comics? Put the Power Comicon on your calendar for Saturday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Florence Center, 3300 W. Radio Drive, Florence. The center will be packed with comics and collectibles, comic artists, writers and other comic-related guests. There will also be toys, art, statues, costumes and pop culture memorabilia for everyone. And don't miss the cosplay contest with more than $1,000 in cash and prizes. Tickets will be sold at the door on the day of the event.

The Reichenbach Ford Classic car, truck and bike show is headed to 600 N. Coit St. in Florence on Saturday, Sept. 21, with registration from 9 a.m. to noon for $25. There will be a 50/50 drawing, music, 50 trophies awarded, sponsor's choice award and two kids' awards. Trophies will be awarded for the top two in each class by 4 p.m. Club cars will not be judged - display only.

Find your fall mums and decorations at the Fall Plant and Flower Festival on Oct. 11-13 at Pee Dee State Farmers Market, 2513 W. Lucas St., Florence. You'll be able to choose from among seasonal plants, flowers, decor and more. This event is free and open to the public. The market will also have seasonal produce and a large selection of pumpkins, and food vendors will be there. Master Gardeners can answer questions about fall planting. Times are Friday, Oct. 11, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday, Oct. 12, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; and Sunday, Oct. 13, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Enjoy live music while chowing down on some on wings and chili from local competitors at the Kickin' Chicken Wing and Chili Festival from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 18, in the 100 block of Dargan Street in downtown Florence. Craft and domestic beer selections will be available. For additional information, visit https://tinyurl.com/bp6vc3he, or call (843) 665-0515.

LAKE CITY

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.

Travel to breweries across the Southeast by just visiting Moore Farms Botanical Garden's scenic grounds during the 10th-annual MFBG Beer Fest from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14. More than 20 local and regional craft breweries will be represented, offering a variety of beers and ciders. There will be local eats and live music also. The garden is at 100 New Zion Road, Lake City (off U.S. 378, just 4 miles from downtown Lake City.)

For additional information, visit https://tinyurl.com/wnytwd58.

KERSHAW COUNTY

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.