events

BLESSING OF THE WHEELS: Jun. 30, 1-3 pm, Pilgrim Lutheran Church, 1430 N. Lake Dr., Lexington. Drive-through and have your wheels blessed, vehicles, tractors, lawn mowers, motorcycles, scooters, even children’s toys on wheels.

Farmers Markets

Market at Icehouse: Every Sat. May 30- Sept. 28 (except Jul. 6) from 9 am-12 pm at Icehouse Amphitheater. A farmer/ grower and local artisan market that uses a community-friendly atmosphere to promote, support, and encourage local production. This year’s event will include live, local music each week. To learn more visit www.facebook.com/pg/MarketatIcehouse/ . To become a vendor contact Walker Brewer at 803-358-7275 or email market@lexsc.com .

SEEDS OF HOPE FARMER’S MARKET: Every Saturday beginning June 8 through August, 8 am-noon, Grace United Methodist Church, 410 Harbison Blvd., Columbia. Accepts USDA produce vouchers for senior citizens. Info: 803-732-1899.

Food and fun

BBQ: Jun. 29, 8 am til sell out at the Hite/Dooley Reunion Bldg, 825 Two Notch Rd, Lexington. Enjoy old fashioned, pit cooked chicken, pork bbq, and Hash. Items sold in bulk, no plates. Sale to benefit the Hite/Dooley Building fund. For info, call Stan Hite 803-546-2069 or Charles Dooley 803-331-7216.

Death of a Hot Sauce Salesman: Jul. 20, 6-9 pm at the River Center at Saluda Shoals Park. This murder mystery dinner event has guests using their detective skills to solve the murder of Prescott Knight, hot sauce baron. Event includes a buffet meal, drink tickets, costume contest with a 1950s Southern Gentry theme, and door prizes. Grand prize to the amateur sleuth who solves the mystery. Tickets are $45, event is for those 18 or older. Get your tickets http://www.friendsoftheirmobranchlibrary.org/ or at the Irmo Branch Library, 6251 St. Andrews Rd.

Lunch & Learn: Jul. 9, 12-1 pm at Shiloh United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, 1000 Springhill rd., Gilbert. Hear Museum Director JR Fennell discuss ‘Superstitions of Lexington County and the Dutch Fork Area’. RSVP by Jul. 5 to 803-359-7586.

Uplift cookout: Jun. 27, 6-7:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall at First Baptist Church of Lexington, 415 Barr Road, Lexington. The Uplift Encouragement Group Ministry provides a chance for individuals with MS and other chronic illnesses to share common illnesses and concerns, provide and receive emotional support, and obtain information. All groups are free of charge. RSVP to Scheri Force 957-0686 or email scheri@fblex.org .

July 4

246th Army Band: Jun. 28, 7:30 pm. The 246th Army Band will be playing a variety of music from the decades at the Icehouse Amphitheater to kick off the 4th of July celebrations. Come out for this free event with a fireworks display after the show.

JULY 4 BOAT PARADE: June 29, noon, starting at Bomb Island on Lake Murray and proceeding to Lake Murray Dam. Patriotically decorated boats will thrill familes and children. Watch from your own boat, backyard or from parks near the dam.

JULY 4 Fireworks Display: June 29, 9:15 pm, lauched from Dreher Island State Park and Spence Island on Lake Murray. Patriotic Music will be available on local radio. View from parks on both sides of Lake Murray Dam, Dreher Island and from boats and backyards. Admission: Dreher Island State Park -  $2 for adults, $1.25 SC Seniors, FREE for children 15 years and younger (Gates close at 8pm to allow emergency vehicle access).Lake Murray Dam Park Sites -  $3/cars & trucks; $2/ motorcycles and $5 buses. Open until they reach capacity (First come, to capacity basis). The walking path on the dam will also be open.

Star Spangled Symphonic Salute Concert: Jul. 3, 8 pm at Saluda Shoals Park, 5605 Bush River Rd, Columbia. Concert free with $5 per car park admission. Join the Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra in beautiful Saluda Shoals Park by the river as we pay tribute to the founding of our nation with rousing and inspiring patriotic music. Bring your lawn chairs, blanket, and picnic basket and settle in for some old-fashioned Independence Day fun! For more info, contact Saluda Shoals at 803-731-5208.

meetings

Friends for LaVie: Jun. 23, 4 pm and Jul. 28, 4 pm. Meetings held at 1213 W Main St, Lexington. Pro-life community group meeting. Meeting space provided by Midlands Christian Church in Lexington, but all are welcome to attend.

MHC Board Meeting: The Lexington Co. Comm. MHC Board of Directors will meet at 5:30 pm Monday, June 24 at 108 Palmetto Park Blvd, Suite D. Residents of Lexington County are invited.

Music/theater

Bands 4 Better: Jun. 22, 4-8 pm at O’Hara’s Public House. The event will be an exciting afternoon filled with music, families, and fun. This benefit music event will support the Dickerson Children’s Advocacy Center. The event also offers great live entertainment. VIP tickets are $30, and include private seating, food, and 2 drink tickets. General admission is $15. Tickets can be purchased at www.dickersoncac.org under events.

Casablanca: Aug. 2, 8:30 pm at Icehouse Amphitheater. Join the Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission and the Icehouse Amphitheater for a showing of Casablanca. This movie is rated PG. Admission is free.

Fleetwood Mac Tribute: Jun. 27, 7 pm. The Abbey Elmore Band will perform at the Icehouse Amphitheater in Lexington. Join the Amphitheater and WOMG for a free musical tribute to Fleetwood Mac.

Gospel music: Jun. 23, 6 pm at Beulah UMC, 161 Beulah Church Rd, Gilbert. The Whisnants will be singing gospel music.

GOSPEL SINGING: Jul. 6, 6 pm, Midlands Gospel singing Center, 705 Martin Smith Rd., Gilbert. Guests are Jordan River and the Shirleys. Love offering accepted. Refreshments served.

The Grinch: Jul. 12, 8:30 pm at Icehouse Amphitheater. Join the Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission and the Icehouse Amphitheater Christmas in July and a showing of The Grinch. This movie is rated PG. Admission is free. Southern Gospel: Jun. 29, 6 pm at West Columbia First Church of the Nazarene at 350 Wattling Road, West Columbia. Southern gospel singing with The Rivertown Boys. No admission fee, love offering will be received.

Summer

Free summer lunch & activities: Jun. 10-Aug. 8, Mon.-Thu. 11 am-1 pm. Lunch from 11:30 am-12:30 pm. Snack 12:45-1 pm. (Closed the week of July 4th) Free summer lunch and activities for kids/teens up to age 18 at Church of Christ at Sunset Boulevard, 1303 Sunset Boulevard, West Columbia. Arts and crafts, games, puzzles, outdoor basketball, summer reading, outdoor play, and more.

Vacation Bible School: “In the Wild” at Saxe Gotha will be held Jun. 24-28, 9 am-12 noon at 5503 Sunset Blvd, Lexington. Each day children will enjoy Amazing Encounters with Jesus through crafts, games, snacks and Bible stories – fun for all! Ages: Rising 4 year olds to Rising 6th Grade. To register: https://saxegotha.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/215700 .

OUtdoor fun

Annual yard sale: Jul. 27, 7 am-12 pm at the Atrium of the Lighthouse, the back building on the Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church campus at 5503 Sunset Blvd, Lexington.

MUSEUM FAMILY DAY: Jun. 22, 10 am-1 pm, Lexington County Musuem, 231 Fox Street, Lexington. Children can play with historic games and toys, learn about 19th century life, see a wheelwright, enjoy free hot dogs and drinks, and take tours of historic structures. Info: 803-359-8369.

Murders & Mysteries Walking Tours: Jul. 5, 8 pm at the Riverwalk Amphitheater at 123 Alexander Rd, West Columbia. Attendees will learn about some of the more gruesome aspects of West Columbia’s history including bootlegger and murder stories. Attendance is free, but plan ahead for parking! Attendees should be 18+ or have parental permission.

Springdale Summer-fest and Golf Cart Parade: Jun. 29, 6-9 pm at 2915 Platt Springs Rd, West Columbia. This free community event will host Whiskey Run and Trent Jeffcoat for a night full of family fun ending in a spectacular fireworks display.

Strides for Autism Walk: Aug. 24, 9 am-1 pm at Irmo Community Park, 7457 Eastview Drive, Irmo. $15 registration includes t-shirt. For more info and to register visit https://scautism.org/events/strides-for-autism/. Proceeds benefit the South Carolina Autism Society.