The Town of Lexington has a crowded field vying for three available at-large seats on Town Council.

With seven candidates, including one incumbent, campaigning for positions on the town’s governing body, the Chronicle is partnering with the Lexington Chamber to host a forum for you to hear more about the council candidates, their positions and their qualifications.

The forum will take place Wednesday, Nov. 1 from 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. at Lakeside Middle School (455 Old Cherokee Rd.), allowing those who attend three more days to cast an informed vote — during the last two days of early voting (the following Thursday and Friday, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at the county's Registration & Elections Office, 605 W Main St.) and election day (Tuesday, Nov. 7, 7 a.m.-7 p.m., find your polling place at lex-co.sc.gov/departments/registration-and-elections).

As of now, all seven candidates were expected to participate in the forum.

If you’re unable to attend in person, the forum will be live-streamed at facebook.com/lexingtonchronicle.

Local chamber recognized with Carolinas-wide award

Speaking of chambers, another one in Lexington County was recently recognized as the Carolinas’ 2023 Outstanding Chamber of Commerce.

The Greater Cayce West Columbia Chamber was given the award at the Carolinas Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives’ Annual Management conference and Awards Ceremony, held in Summerville Oct. 19.

A release notes that the organization was chosen for the award in recognition of “the membership momentum of the Greater CWC, as well as the retention of membership and the community involvement; including but not limited to award winning educational programs, requirements of Board members, high-attendance holiday parade, increase of membership and sustained attendance of regularly scheduled meetings; all of which has leant to the unprecedented member engagements and ultimately bolstering business and economy.”

One of the chamber’s big annual programs is wrapping up its 2023 run, as the free Rhythm on the River concert series wraps up its fall slate with a stop from Elivis tribute artist Phil Urban at the West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheater from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27.

“The City of West Columbia is proud to have a robust and involved Chamber of Commerce like the Greater CWC, ~ this recognition is well deserved and speaks to the great value of our Chamber,” that city’s mayor, Tem Miles, who attended the ceremony, is quoted.

“This recognition is a direct testament to the commitment of the Chamber membership, it is our members that create the success for the local economy, - and now their hard work has created success for the Chamber,” Tim James, the chamber’s president and CEO, is quoted.

Holiday event dates announced

Across the past few weeks, several of the county’s biggest holiday events have announced dates.

The latest is the annual Christmas Light Boat Parade on Lake Murray — canceled last year due to low water levels — which will be back in action Dec. 2. Admission is free to the Lake Murray Dam Public Park (1831-1834 N Nake Dr.) to watch “as brightly decorated boats parade by decked out for the season,” a release from the presenting Capital City/Lake Murray Country regional tourism office states. There will be Christmas carols and a fireworks finale as well. 

Park opens at 4:30 p.m., and the parade starts at 6 p.m. If you’re hoping to register to be part of the parade, go to lakemurraycountry.com/event/lake-murrays-christmas-light-boat-parade.

The Town of Lexington has announced dates for its annual Snowball Festival, with a Christmas Craft Fair (Nov. 30-Dec. 1), Christmas Carolighting (Dec. 1), a showing of “The Grinch” movie (Dec. 1), a Snowball Festival Carnival that will include a screening of “The Santa Clause” (Dec. 2) and the annual Christmas Parade through downtown (Dec. 3). All events center on the Icehouse Amphitheater (107 W Main St.).

Christmas in Cayce, that city’s annual holiday festivities, also has dates announced, with w Tree Lighting (Nov. 30), Carols Along the Riverwalk (Dec. 1 — “stroll along the riverwalk while listening to holiday music”) and Christmas Traditions (Dec. 2 — “enjoy our Cayce Historical Museum’s Christmas Traditions: Olde & New”). More details forthcoming.

Caribbean restaurant opens in Cayce

Also in Cayce, an anticipated restaurant has opened in the River Arts District, the centerpiece cultural corridor along State Street the city has spent the past few years trying to foster.

Trini Lime Carribean Cafe officially opened for business, after getting set to take over at 2008 State St. for more than a year.

The restaurant, which has served as a vendor at several city events, is owned by Trinidad native Sullange Solloman and has operated without a brick-and-mortar location since 2011, frequently seen at Columbia’s popular Soda City Market.

“Trini Lime specializes in true authentic Caribbean food full of flavor … giving people the true Caribbean taste and vibe through food,” the restaurant’s website states. “Some signature dishes of Trini Lime include the aloo pie, a Trinidad-inspired dish is bread filled with potatoes and paired with sauces and cucumbers. You can pair the potato pie with one of her signature sauces or naturally flavored drinks.”

The new restaurant space is open 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday and 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Friday-Saturday.