AROUND CHAPIN AND IRMO

The theme for the annual July 4th Lake Murray boat parade is “Cheers to 30 years”. It will be June 30 starting at noon. It begins at Bomb Island. All boats will follow the lead boat and head towards the Lake Murray Dam and will pass by Lexington and Irmo parks located at the dam, which are excellent places for viewing the parade. Registration is free and open until June 29. Call 781-5940 or visit Lakemurraycountry.com for full details.

Dance is not just an art; it is an athletic and intellectual activity. Dancing not only trains the body, but trains the brain because it uses and enforces 3 types of learning styles: auditory, visual and kinesthetic. As a ballet teacher for many years, I was amazed to see 3- to 4-year-olds memorize 2-3 minutes of movement for a dance recital. The Chapin Library is offering Ballet 101 June 23, at 10 a.m. with Elizabeth Meade, a dancer with the Columbia City Ballet. All ages are welcome. Bring socks and be ready to stretch and jump.

The Chapin High dance team has its dance clinic for ages 4 to rising 6th graders, June 25-28 from 9 am to noon. The cost is $75 and includes a shirt. Learn more at chapingirlsdance.com

Chapin’s Farmer’s market is July 7 from 9 am to 1:30 pm and is monthly until October. The last Farmer’s markets in Irmo will be July 3, 5-8 p.m.

Celebrate Independence day at Saluda Shoals Park July 3, 7-9 p.m., with the Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra as it performs Broadway music, patriotic music, and sing-a-longs. Bring a chair, picnic, blanket and enjoy. There is a $5 parking fee.