Go Columbia: Monday at the fair, plus best bets, Oct. 19 and beyond

Gate admission: $10 ages 6-54, $7 ages 55 and older; free for those ages 2-5, as well as active and retired military and their dependents with proper identification.

Youth admission: All youth under age 18 must be accompanied by a parent at least 21 years old to be admitted after 6 p.m. daily. Those 18 and older may be asked to show a valid driver’s license after 6 p.m.

Parking: $5 cash only in the fairgrounds parking lot.

MONDAY HIGHLIGHTS

Hours: Admission gates and buildings, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; Midway, noon-11 p.m.(subject to change)

Rides: Pay-one-price ride day

Lunch promotion: From noon to 2 p.m., exchange $5 for a ticket at the ticket booth and receive a $5 refund when you return your ticket to the booth by 2 p.m. Cash only.

Grandstand entertainment: No show tonight

Check it out: Have you visited the fair’s new Hampton Plaza? The new outdoor area at the Rosewood Drive entrance features a grassy, landscaped area that is serving at the site of this year’s “Enter the Dino” exhibit. A new 36,000-square-foot Goodman building at the opposite end of the fair provides a diverse shopping area for patrons.

Provided by the S.C. State Fair

CAROLINA ISRAELITE: 7:30 p.m. Monday at the Katie & Irwin Kahn Jewish Community Center. The Columbia Jewish Book Festival is thrilled to have special guest speaker Kimberly Marlowe Harnett, the author of “Carolina Israelite”. The book illuminates the life of a Jewish American writer and humorist Harry Golden who called Charlotte, North Carolina home. 306 Flora Dr. https://www.facebook.com/events/811509902300040/

USC SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA EXTRAVAGANZA: 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Koger Center for the Arts. The entire family will enjoy the Signature Editions of composer John Williams’ most beloved film score classics, including music from “Hook,” “E.T.,” “Harry Potter,” “Schindler’s List,” “Superman,” “Jurassic Park,” “Indiana Jones” and “Star Wars”. Guest vilolinist Michael Ludwig is a highly sought after soloist, recording artist, and chamber musician. $30, general public; $25 seniors, USC faculty and staff; $8 students. 1051 Greene St. (803) 777-7500, www.kogercenterforthearts.com

FESTIVAL OF PRAISE TOUR: 7:30 p.m. Thursday at The Township Auditorium. The inspiring Festival of Praise tour comes to Columbia. The show will feature Donnie McClurkin, Fred Hammond, Pastor Hezekiah Walker, and Kim Burrell, along with Isaac Curree, Jessica Reedy, Zacardi Cortez and Marcus Wiley. Tickets, $35-$55; savings for groups of 20 or more are available (only at the box office). 1703 Taylor St. (803) 576-2356 or www.thetownship.org

SISTERCARE’S SONG BIRD CAFE: 8-10:30 p.m. Thursday at Leaside. This event features acoustic musicians and songwriters performing to raise funds for survivors of domestic violence. Heavy hors d’oeuvres, wine and beer are included. The performers are Sugarland’s Kristian Bush, Hootie & The Blowfish’s Mark Bryan, and singers/songwriters Patrick Davis and Angie Aparo. 21 and over. $100. (803) 926-0505, www.2015songbirdcafe.eventbrite.com.

40’s STYLE DINNER AND DANCE FUNDRAISER: 6 p.m. Saturday at Jim Hamilton/LB Owens Airport. Retro dinner show by “The Pin-Up Dolls” and all era dance music by “The Ross Holmes Band.” 40’s military, civilian or luau dress is encouraged. Take a ride in the classic ford tri-motor. E. Yerrick memorial aircraft display for all ages. $25 per person; $45 per couple. 1400 Jim Hamilton Blvd. RSVP to info.schaf@gmail.com. www.schistoricalaviation.org

S.C. PRIDE FESTIVAL: A weekend of events includes A Run for Everyone 5K, 9 a.m. at First Citizens Park, Main and Lady streets. $35 in advance, $40 on race day; annual parade, starting at noon, along Main Street in downtown Columbia; and the festival itself, 1-7 p.m. on Main Street between Hampton and Lady streets, with more than 100 vendors, along with performances by music group Expose, hip-hop singer Trina and RuPaul’s Drag Race Hour hosted by Phoenix. Details on other events, including Sunday’s picnic, and highlights: www.scpride.org

LEXINGTON COUNTY CHILI COOK-OFF: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday at Lexington County Baseball Stadium. Local chili cooks show off their best and you get to help choose the winner. Tickets for all-you-can-eat samples: $10 for adults, $5 for kids 12 years and younger (under 4 is free), proceeds benefit SisterCare, LICS and the Blowfish Baseball Reading Program. Stadium located at 474 Ball Park Road. (803) 254-3474, www.goblowfishfaseball.com

JERRYFEST IN FIVE POINTS: 3-10 p.m. Sunday at the Five Points Fountain. JerryFest is a free and family friendly outdoor concert to celebrate the life and art of Jerry Garcia. Garcia was best known for his work as lead guitarist for the Grateful Dead and several albums as a solo artist. This year’s concert marks the 30th anniversary of the Grateful Dead’s concert in Columbia (Oct. 31, 1985), the Grateful Dead’s 50th anniversary as a band, and the 100th anniversary of Five Points as Columbia’s original neighborhood village. The fountain at Harden and Greene streets. (803) 545-3100, www.fivepointscolumbia.com