Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009

Weekend events

Holding off on the fair because of wet weather? Things look more promising this weekend.

There's a chance of rain early today, but the rest of the weekend should be good - but cooler - in the low 60s. So take a jacket.

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The inaugural Fall Literature and Arts Festival is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at Dent Middle School, 6950 N. Trenholm Road. Actor Hill Harper ("CSI: NY"), celebrity chef Edie Hand and Rose Rock, mother of comedian Chris Rock, will be there. Free, but events for Harper and Hand cost $5; www.richland2.org/BookFair/

"Dinosaurs: Mesozoic Monsters" - all 6,500 square feet - opens today at the South Carolina State Museum, 301 Gervais St. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; 1-5 p.m. Sunday. $3-$7; (803) 898-4921 or www.museum.state.sc.us

The S.C. Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum will host USS Columbia Day today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Columbia, a WWII cruiser named for the city, fought in the decisive Battle of Leyte Gulf.The Relic Room is at 301 Gervais St.; $2-$5; (803) 737-8095

You'll get two-for-one in Five Points at the Columbia Blues Festival and Group Therapy Chili Cookoff today. Both are free. The festival, which features Duke Robillard, Eddie Turner and Samuel James, starts at noon. Chili is served at 1 p.m.

Boo at the Zoo opened Friday, but you can go to the Halloween-themed after-hours event at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden tonight and Sunday. You have to order tickets in advance. Boo at the Zoo will continue Oct. 23-30. The zoo is at 500 Wildlife Parkway. $6 to $8; (803) 779-8717 or www.riverbanks.org

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