As summer winds down in the Midlands, so does the season for fireflies. To help us bid both the season and these iconic insects adieu, today we’re looking at some stats + facts about these luminous lightning bugs.
What are they?
- Fireflies are neither bugs nor flies, but rather soft-bellied beetles whose lower bodies light up from a chemical reaction. This kind of light production is known as bioluminescence.
- There are around 2,000 firefly species on the planet, and only 3 species of synchronous fireflies in North America — making them a rare sight to see. The synchronous lightning bugs are 1 of the most popular of the species and draw a crowd every year when they land at Congaree National Park.
Why do fireflies glow?
- While some think fireflies light up as a defense mechanism intended to warn predators they will leave a bad taste in a predator’s mouth. The primary reason they light up is to attract mates (can you blame them?).
- Each species lights up differently. Some glow rather than flash. Those that flash can have different flash sequences, while others flash in unison.
Columbia Fireflies spotted in their natural habitat at Segra Park | Photo via @bryantkh13
Where can you see them in Columbia?
- Every year, Congaree National Park hosts synchronous fireflies viewing events for approx. 2 weeks between mid-May and mid-June. The national park has shared details of how the event has changed over the years, dating back to 2014.
- You can also catch the Fireflies (Columbia’s MiLB baseball team) in the final home game series this weekend at Segra Park. There will be games Friday-Sunday + tickets are still available.
Use the buttons below to send this to your friends + family who will go see the fireflies with you.
Today
Saturday
- Jubilee: Festival of Black History & Culture | Sat., Sept. 18 | 11 a.m.-6 p.m. | Mann-Simons Site, 1403 Richland St. | Free | The festival will bring together musicians, artists + storytellers to create a vibrant celebration of SC’s black history + culture. 🎶
- Oktoberfest | Sat., Sept. 18 | 3-7 p.m. | The Main Course | Free | Enjoy live music, beer + traditional German food. 🥨
- Lakeside Litter Sweep | Sat., Sept. 18 | 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Lake Murray | Free | Join Keep the Midlands Beautiful for this clean-up. ♻️
Sunday
- Julian Marley– Straighter Roads Tour | Sun., Sept. 19 | 7 p.m. | The Senate | $27+ | The show starts at 8 p.m. + $1 from every ticket will be donated to Ghetto Youths Foundation. 🎤
- Y’all-Mart | Sun., Sept. 19 | 12-4:30 p.m. | New Brookland Tavern | Free | A flea market with 15+ vendors, food, drink specials, and more. 🛍️
Plan Ahead
- Vista After Five | Thurs., Sept. 23-Thurs., Oct. 21 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Tin Roof | Free | Vista After Five is back with a 5-week outdoor concert series on Thursdays — presented by Pink Whitney, Fireball, Skrewball, Gameday Vodka, Larceny and Wicked Weed. Ⓟ
- Art Class: Experimental Digital Photography | Sat., Oct. 2 + Sat., Oct. 9 | 1-4 p.m. | Columbia Museum of Art | $70; $56 for members | Students experiment with photographic techniques to create works inspired by the exhibition 30 Americans + the CMA collection. Participants must provide their own digital camera. Ⓟ
We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Easily buy + sell your home online with Opendoor | Photo provided by Opendoor
The current real estate market is booming, and buyers + sellers are feeling the pressure. 😅
Meet Opendoor: The leading digital platform that gives people a simple way to buy and sell homes — all online (here’s how it works). Put simply, Opendoor’s vision is to build a one-stop shop that allows folks to make their move with the click of a button. 🏡
Get a free offer on your home on Opendoor’s website. Ⓟ
Weather
- 84º | Thunderstorms | 30% chance of rain
Coming Soon
- On Sept. 24, Southern Way Catering is opening the Gamecock Gastro Pub, a full-service, happy hour experience, inside Williams-Brice Stadium. The pub will be open to the public from 4-7 p.m. Friday evenings before home football games.The menu includes light snacks + bar fare. 🏈
Eat
- Food Network released its list of essential BBQ to try and the Midlands food truck City Limits Barbecue + Home Team BBQ (which has locations in Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and Aspen) made the South Carolina list. The list also highlights a variety of places to try in North` Carolina, Memphis, Kansas City + Texas. 🍽️ (The State)
Number
- $100,000. The grant Bank of America awarded Midlands Technical College Foundation for a workforce development program. The funding will be used for scholarships for MTC QuickJobs, a program designed to close the skills gap with educational courses to fill vacant positions in high-demand fields.
Closed
- Vista Nutrition is now closed after opening 8 months ago in January. The storefront is currently vacant at 504 Gervais St. (Cola Daily)
Watch
- Columbia’s Parks and Recreation Department has created the #TellingOurStory video series to highlight all the department has to offer residents. The first episode takes a deeper look at Earlewood Park. 🌳
Arts
- Entries are being accepted for Congaree National Park’s Annual SwampFest Student Art Competition. This year’s theme is “The Park in Your Backyard” and students in grades K-8 can submit artwork by Wed., Sept. 29. All entries will be on display at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center through October. 🖼️
State
- SC Department of Revenue has created a new tax and licensing guide to provide information on filing taxes, alcohol permits, and retail + special event licenses. This Events and Festival Guide could impact vendors, promoters, and hosts for upcoming events like the State Fair or Okra Strut. (CRBR)
Correction
- Yesterday, we shared that Beyond Your Backyard will feature Lake Murray on PBS this Sun., Sept. 19 at 11 a.m. The episode will actually only air in Virginia on Sept. 19 and will be available online on Sept. 26. Update your reminders to watch Lake Murray make a splash.
DYK
- You may know about the Purple Martin phenomenon, in which ~1 million swallow-like birds take flight on Lake Murray’s 12-acre Bomb Island each night from June-August. But DYK this phenomenon is so large it can be seen on Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE)’s radar? 😮 Ⓟ
The annual Columbia Greek Festival is back this weekend. Yesterday, the COLAtoday team went to grab lunch + check out the new drive-thru format. The festival was easy to navigate and while the line was long at peak-lunchtime, the food (as always) was worth the wait. The festival organizers walked the line to deliver menus, had stations set up to pay, and pickup the order.
Pro Tip — there is a walk-up option, if you feel comfortable getting out of the car, and there are options to order larger Greek casserole favorites to-go. If you drive-thru the festival this weekend, be sure to tag us using #COLAtoday in your photos so we can see too.
#DYK that your photos and quotes could be featured in our newsletter?
Just use #COLAtoday on social media.
💭 Say Hello: What do you want to know about your city?
✏️️ Want to write an article for us? Find out how here.
👀 Want your business featured in our newsletter? Learn more about advertising opportunities here.
📖 Check out our Editorial Ethics Policy here.
Did a friend forward this to you?
It can be in your inbox tomorrow a.m.
|