Around ChApin & irmo

Happy July 4! Fireworks, boats, music, and peaches are some of the festivities this week! Gilbert’s Peach festival is July 4 at the Gilbert Community Park.

The Lake Murray Boat Parade is June 30 at noon and begins at Bomb Island. The red, white and blue patriotic boats will pass by the Ir-mo and Lexington parks at the Lake Murray Dam. Fireworks at the lake are also on June 30 at 9:15 pm. Parking locations are at 2068 North Lake Drive, Columbia; 1832 North Lake Drive, Lexington; Dreher Island State Park, and 3677 State Park Road, Prosperity,. Don’t forget the patriotic concert with the Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra at Saluda Shoals on July 3, 7-9 pm.

Agriculture and art make an exciting combination! The Ag+ Art Tour of Richland County 2019 is June 29-30. Visit www.agandarttour.com/richland/ to find a site near you!

Reggatronic Flotilla music festival is floating your way July 13 at 11 am. Last year’s event had over 1,500 boats in attendance to soak in the sun and enjoy the music! For information, call 803-960-4010 or 803-261-6186 or www.reggaetroics.com .

Are you interested in running for an elected position in the Town of Ir-mo? Filing for the general election in Irmo on November 5, 2019, is August 16 -29. The filing fee is $35 and candidates must be 18 years old, active registered voters and residents of the Irmo for a minimum of 30 days. To file, visit Irmo Town Hall with your driver’s license and pay the fee.

The need for blood and platelets is critical. Here are some local Blood drives. St. Michaels Lutheran Chruch, 400 River Rd on June 29, starting at 10 am and also at Riverland Hills Baptist Church, 201 Lake Murray Blvd, July 17 at 1 pm. Plex Ice/HiWire Irmo has a blood drive July 18 at 1019 Broad Stone Rd, beginning at 1 pm.

Congratulations to Ryland Rychener, a Chapin high school student who received a scholarship from the U.S. Department of State National Security Language Initiative for Youth Scholarship. While staying in Morocco, Ryland will receive formal language instruction, live with a host family, and experience the local culture as part of an immersion environment.