April festival overload in Columbia? Nah, you can never have too many fun things to do
It only seems festivals are as plentiful as azalea blossoms in April in Columbia.
The list includes Runaway Runway, Indie Grits, Open Studios, River Rocks, International Festival, Olympia Fest, Sparkleberry Country Fair, Mud Run, Quarry Crusher Run, Palmetto Half Marathon and the Heart & Sole Women’s Five Miler. Add in the regular musical and stage performances around town and USC spring sports – including the football Spring Game – and the schedule can be overwhelming.
You think it wears you out? Consider the people who help organize those events. We asked a few of them about working through their exhaustion and enjoying the rest of the busy schedule.
Julie Turner, Columbia Design League board member, Runaway Runway, April 11, Columbia Museum of Art
What events other than yours during the month of April in Columbia do you try never to miss?
“This is my second season working on the Runaway Runway event, and it’s actually what inspired me to join the board of the Columbia Design League. We work hard to schedule Runaway Runway around big spring events, which can be difficult with massive regional draws like the Cooper River Bridge Run and Charleston Fashion Week. We set the date for the show early last fall because there’s always so much happening in the spring.
“One of my favorite spring events is one of the easiest to attend: Open Studios presented by 701 CCA. It’s a weekend-long opportunity to visit artists’ studios all over Richland and Lexington counties. You get to see their work, the places in which they work, and chat them up on an easy-breezy two-day schedule. I love going to see Christian Thee’s house, which is one of the most amazing experiences on the tour.”
Is there another event the same day as yours that you hate that you have to miss?
“Luckily, most of the competing events happen during the day. This year, on the same day as the Runaway Runway show, we have the Mud Run, Palmetto Half Marathon, Open Studios, the River Rocks Festival and the Junior League’s Touch-a-Truck. And that’s not even counting the regular fun stuff like Soda City Market and the Museum of Art. There’s so many different types of events happening it’s really hard to choose some times. I think that’s a great problem for our city to have. But one thing’s for sure, there is something for everyone. So go out and and enjoy something new.”
Bill Stangler, Congaree Riverkeeper, River Rocks, April 11, Riverfront Park
What events do you try never to miss?
“I’ve always been mad that I had to miss all those Indie Grits events. They’ve been the same week as us the past few years, but the neat thing is that Indie Grits is a week later this year. Now I can be done with my thing and go to all of their events. And now I don’t have to feel bad that I’m promoting something on the same day as something else I support.”
Is there another event the same day as yours that you hate that you have to miss? Why?
“As a football fan, I always hated that we’ve been on the same day as the USC spring game (as they are this year). But I tell people they can go to the spring game (which usually starts early in the afternoon) and still get out in time to come see our headliners.”
Have you considered moving the event to a less crowded date?
River Rocks was scheduled for Memorial Day weekend in its first year, but it was extremely hot that day and attendance was weak. With the college kids out of town and families starting to head to beach vacations, that weekend doesn’t work as well as early April, even if the calendar is packed then.
“We really can’t think of a better time to do it,” Stangler said.
Raj Aluri, director, Columbia International Festival, April 18, State Fairgrounds
What events do you try never to miss?
Wow! Columbia has so many amazing events from the circus to Indie Grits in April. I personally try to never miss the International Gala and any event the SC Philharmonic is putting on.
Is there another event the same day as yours that you hate that you have to miss?
Yes! The SC Philharmonic has Bohemian Rhapsodies the same Saturday as our event. I personally love attending their concerts.
Jeanna Moffett, race director, Lexington Medical Center Heart & Sole Women’s Five Miler, April 25, Finlay Park.
What events do you try never to miss?
“I love to participate in the Palmetto Half Marathon event in April (it’s April 11 this year) if I’m injury-free. It’s a well-done event and a great way to celebrate the spring running season.”
Is there another event the same day as yours that you hate that you have to miss?
“I’ve always wanted to try the Quarry Run, but it has traditionally been held the same weekend as the Heart & Sole Race. This year, it’s the weekend before (April 18), so I may get the chance to try it!”
Do you get a sense that participants, and maybe volunteers, begin to suffer from event overload by the end of April when your event comes around?
“Columbia definitely has lots of activities to choose from in the spring. Every weekend is full of options, but our community has such a generous spirit that recruiting volunteers in April isn’t too difficult. We have more than 300 volunteers at our event alone, and most of them are people who help us out every single year. They’re loyal and love giving back.”
Joey Holleman
This story was originally published April 1, 2015 at 8:52 PM with the headline "April festival overload in Columbia? Nah, you can never have too many fun things to do."