Go Columbia picks of the week, July 2-8
THURSDAY (July 2)
Weekend Warmup Cruise
Start your holiday weekend early with a cruise on Lake Murray. Tickets available at Minuteman Press in Lexington, Palmetto Graphix in Chapin, Mills Insurance Agency in Gilbert or online. Catering by Belly’s Barbeque. $35 per person, or $60 per couple.
Board at 6:30 p.m. July 2, 3340 U.S. 378, Columbia. www.lakemurraychamber.com.
First Thursdays on Main
The merchants on Main Street open their doors after hours for a night of art, culture and performance.
6-10 p.m. July 2 from the State House to City Hall. Free and open to the public.
FRIDAY (July 3)
Rockin’ Red, White & Blue
Bring your lawn chairs (no coolers, please) and enjoy an event sure to delight the entire family. Whether you’re into professional wrestling, a little bit of rock music or just like fireworks, this is for you! Local food vendors will be on hand with picnic food. Free admission.
3-5 p.m. July 3, 100 Alvina Hagood Circle, Blythewood. (803) 754-0501. www.townofblythewoodsc.gov.
City of ColumbiaSummer Movie Series
In DreamWorks “Home,” Tip (Rihanna) befriends the alien Oh (Jim Parsons) for an out-of-this-world adventure. Come early for face-painting, games and more. Blankets, lawn chairs and coolers welcome, no glass containers or alcoholic beverages allowed.
7 p.m. July 3, Riverfront Park, 312 Laurel St., (803) 545-3100. www.columbiasc.net.
Star SpangledSymphonic Salute
Lake Murray Symphony Orchestra will feature Broadway songs, patriotic music and a sing-along. Bring a blanket or chair; games, food and activities will be available. No coolers or alcoholic beverages; beer and wine will be available for purchase. $5 per car.
7 p.m. July 3, Saluda Shoals Park, 5606Bush River Road. www.icrc.net.
Saturday (July 4)
Capital City Beach Party
Enjoy free games, music, food and fun with friends! Activities include water slides, beach volleyball, karaoke and ultimate Frisbee. Fireworks begin at 10p.m. Select attractions and food are available at an additional charge. All park rules apply.
3-10 p.m. July 4, Finlay Park, 930 Laurel St. www.columbiasc.net.
Red, White & Blue Blast
The EdVenture event features patriotic activities for children and families. March in an Uncle Sam parade; make sun catchers and LED paper lanterns; learn about America’s birthday during storytime; leave your mark on a stars and stripes fingerprint flag; learn about the science behind fireworks.
9 a.m.- 5 p.m. July 4, EdVenture Children’s Museum, 211 Gervais St. (803)400-1166. www.edventure.org.
Blowfish Baseball
Celebrate Independence Day as the Lexington County Blowfish host the Florence Redwolves. Kids 12 and younger can play catch from 6 to 6:30 p.m. Fireworks after the game. Gates open at 6 p.m. Tickets are $6-$9.
7:05 p.m. July 4, Lexington County Baseball Stadium, 424 Ball Park Road. (803) 254-3474. www.goblowfishbaseball.com.
Sunday (July 5)
Face Vessels
This mini-exhibit at the State Museum focuses on vessels from circa 1828 to circa 1880 by South Carolina potters. Free with general admission, $8.95 for adults ages 13-61, $7.95 for seniors 62 and older, $6.95 for children 3-12, and free for children ages 2 and younger. Military discount is $1 off.
12-5 p.m. July 5, State Museum, 301 Gervais St. (803) 898-4921. scmuseum.org.
Free Sundays at Columbia Museum of Art
Check out “From Marilyn to Mao: Andy Warhol’s Famous Faces,” “The Columbia Broadside Project” and “With Sponge, Brush and Stencil: Bunzlauer Pottery.” Free admission on Sundays is sponsored by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Carolina.
12-5 p.m. July 5, Columbia Museum of Art, 1515 Main St. (803) 799-2810. www.columbiamuseum.org.
Monday (July 6)
Laser Salute To America
Celebrate America through patriotic songs set to laser lights including “Only in America” by Brooks & Dunn, “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.” by John Mellencamp, “Living in America” by James Brown and “Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly” by South Carolina’s own Aaron Tippin.
2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. July 6, State Museum, 301 Gervais St. (803) 898-4921. scmuseum.org.
Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Adoptions
Columbia Animal Shelter is teaming up with Richland and Lexington counties to offer $17.76 pet adoptions Saturday, Monday and Tuesday. Fees include spaying or neutering, microchip, feline leukemia/heartworm test, initial vaccines and deworming.
July 6, Columbia Animal Services, 127Humane Lane and Lexington Animal Services, 321 Ball Park Road, Lexington. (803) 776-7387 and (803) 785-8149.
Tuesday (July 7)
Columbia Junior All-Star Golf Tournament
The tournament running Monday through Thursday benefits the American Junior Golf Association, a nonprofit dedicated to growth and development of young men and women who aspire to earn college golf scholarships.
July 7, Spring Valley Country Club, 300Spring Valley Road. (678) 425-1716.
Native Artists of the Southeast
McKissick Museum celebrates Native American traditional arts of the Southeast with its exhibition “Traditions, Change, and Celebration” showcasing objects drawn from Native American Indian tribal museums, state museums, artist collections, private collections and McKissick’s permanent collection.
8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., McKissick Museum, 816Bull St. (803) 777-7251.
Wednesday (July 8)
Learning Floral Design
Design course offered by the Floral Design School of Columbia. BYOB; light hors d’oeuvres provided. $40 per person. All supplies provided. Contact Denyse Nodden for information.
6 p.m. July 8, 302 Artisans,
302 Senate St. denyse@floraldesignschoolofcolumbia.com or (803)730-5096.
“Bugs! Giant Robotic Creatures”
Common insects shown 40 to 120 times their size! Features giant robotic creatures, an insect portrait gallery, a live bug zoo, interactive dragonfly, honeybee and mosquito heads, a hands-on kid’s station with a puppet theater and giant ladybug and black widow spider photo opportunities.
10 a.m.-5 p.m. July 8, State Museum, 301Gervais St. (803) 898-4921. scmuseum.org.
This story was originally published July 1, 2015 at 11:20 AM with the headline "Go Columbia picks of the week, July 2-8."