Plus, three more earthquakes

Unless you love bonding over a cul-de-sac cleanup, it’s nice to let someone else handle the Independence Day spectacle. Plus, local orgs are pros at showing off some incredible displays. 🎆

Consider us your one-stop firework shop. Read on for public firework displays, your favorite vantages to watch the lights, and tips to DIY. Bonus: If your pup is sensitive to sound, we’ve got some spots for you, too.

Segra Park is home of the Columbia Fireflies. | Photo provided

✨ Public firework displays

Independence Day Celebration at Icehouse Amphitheater | July 1 | 7-9 p.m. | The 246th Army Band will play a concert from 7:30-9 p.m. followed by a fireworks show.
Fireworks with the Phil at Segra Park | July 2 | 6 p.m. | The concert will begin at 8 p.m. + the fireworks will start at 9:15 p.m.
Fireworks celebration at Fort Jackson | July 2 | 2-10 p.m. | Admission is free and open to the public, but be sure to check the list of prohibited items before you attend.
Fireworks on Lake Murray | Sat., July 2 | 9:15-9:30 p.m. | Fireworks will launch at dark from Spence + Dreher Islands.
Independence Day Celebration at Community Park Irmo | Sun., July 3 | 7 p.m. | Join the fun with fireworks, food, and a screening of Independence Day.

Do you have your own fireworks-viewing spots? Add them to our interactive map here. | Map by COLAtoday

🎇 Where to watch

You may be asking, what’s better than seeing one display? Seeing all of them. Follow the map for our favorite vantage points to get a bald eagle’s eye view of the festivities.

🧨 Firework safety

Did you know that larger fireworks explode at a diameter of 800+ feet (bigger than Williams-Brice Stadium.) Pretty incredible — until they go off on your lawn. Luckily, there are rules in place so you can contribute to the spectacle safely.

Fireworks are legal in Richland County, Lexington County, and even in the City of Columbia. If in doubt, check out our breakdown of fireworks laws in the Midlands. If you decide to DIY, follow these guidelines.

🔇 Celebrate some peace + quiet

Before you spend the night trying to lure your four-legged friend out from under the bed, you may want to get as far from the commotion as possible.

Your best option is a nearby park, like Congaree National Park or Poinsett State Park. Pack some food and water and go stargazing, or even camping.

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Today

Nashville Nights with Nate Fredrick | Fri., July 1 | 6-9 p.m. | Steel Hands, 2350 Foreman St. | Free | Steel Hands is hosting bluesy Americana singer-songwriter Nate Fredrick for its Nashville Nights summer concert series. 🎸
Watermelon Tasting | Fri., July 1 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | South Carolina State Farmers Market, 3483 Charleston Hwy. | Free | Taste Certified SC’s watermelons and purchase one for your 4th of July celebration. 🍉

Saturday

SolFest RollFest | Sat., July 2 | 12-6 p.m. | Earlewood Park, 1113 Recreation Dr. | $10+ | A music and bicycle festival featuring Columbia’s first bike-powered stage 🚲
Annual Rockin’ Red White and Blue Celebration | Sat., July 2 | Doko Meadows Park, 71 Langford Rd. | Free | The Town of Blythewood will come together to celebrate Independence Day with food, live music, and fireworks.

Sunday

First Sunday | Sun., July 3 | 12-5 p.m. | South Carolina State Museum | $1 | General admission is only $1 for guests on the first Sunday of every month.
Lexington County Blowfish Baseball Home Game | Sun., July 3 | Lexington County Baseball Stadium, 474 Ball Park Road | $6+ | The Blowfish take on the Macon Bacon followed by Independence Fireworks + laser light show. ⚾

Monday

Columbia Fireflies: Independence Day Celebration | Mon., July 4 | Gates open at 4:30 p.m., game starts at 6:05 p.m. | $5 | Fireflies fans are invited to celebrate the 4th of July with a game against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans followed by post-game fireworks.

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.

Weather

82º | Scattered thunderstorms | 60% chance of rain

Development

Saxe Gotha Spec announced plans to build a 43,750 sqft speculative industrial building on Old Wire Road in the Saxe Gotha Industrial Park in West Columbia. The industrial park is currently home to Nephron Pharmaceuticals and the Amazon Fulfillment center located near I-26 and I-77.

Coming Soon

Olde Country Buffet is hosting its grand opening today. The restaurant is located in Westland Square on Sunset Boulevard next to Food Lion. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be offered at the Southern foods buffet spot, along with celebration reservations for parties up to six people. 🥔 (West Metro News)

Eat

Kiki’s Chicken and Waffles was featured in Eater’s list of Best Fried Chicken in America. The soul food restaurant offers a signature dish that includes four fried chicken wings or two breasts, paired with a fluffy Belgian waffle. Kiki’s is one of nine restaurants in the “Southern” category of the list. 🐔 (Eater)

Community

Three more earthquakes shook the Columbia area yesterday morning between 12:30 a.m and 10:15 a.m. These quakes had an average magnitude of 2.15, less intense than the shakes we felt on Wednesday. 🌎 (WLTX)
Leadership Columbia is accepting proposals for the Class of 2023 Class Project now through Fri., Aug.12. Proposals must include a nonprofit located within Richland, Lexington, Fairfield, Kershaw, Calhoun, and Newberry counties that creates a positive impact on the community. Proposals can be submitted here.

Drink

Twisted Spur Brewing is hosting a fundraising event for Final Victory Animal Rescue on Sat., July 18. Hang out with some adoptable puppies + enjoy a cold glass of the ‘Final Victory’ beer. A portion of the proceeds from beer sales will be donated to the animal rescue.

Traffic

SCDOT announced that highway lane closures will be prohibited for the Fourth of July weekend. To ease traffic during the holiday travel period, non-emergency highway work will halt starting today at 6 a.m. through 10 p.m. on Tues., July 5.

Pets

Columbia Animal Services is in need of wire crates for animals in the shelter. Donations can be shipped or delivered to 127 Humane Ln. If you or someone you know wants to adopt, check out this list of available cats + dogs. 🐕

Real Estate

Originally constructed in 1920, Gadsden Place has been transformed into COLA’s newest and live-work community. If you’re looking for a chic new apartment or a conveniently located office space, Gadsden Place is ready to welcome you. Visit the website to explore floor plans, see photos + reserve your unit.*

Listen

Alcohol sales increased by 40% during the pandemic — leaving doctors concerned about the increased risk of more than six kinds of alcohol-related cancers. Listen to this four-minute podcast, featuring MUSC’s Dr. Raymond Anton, MD, to learn what you need to know about cancer + alcohol consumption.*

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When it comes to vegan food in Cola, A Peace of Soul Vegan Kitchen gets creative with menu items that taste like the “real” thing. Order these crispy fried "chicken" wings + fries (but hold the chicken) with your favorite dipping sauce. The vegan dish comes with enough flavor to feed the whole family this holiday weekend. Check out the catering menu and place your order online.

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Editor's pick: One great spot to watch fireworks is from Page Ellington Park in the BullStreet District. The 20-acre public park features running and walking paths, a dog park, and plenty of space to spread out a picnic to watch fireworks over Segra Park.

Missed yesterday's newsletter? Read a breakdown of UofSC's 2022-2023 budget.

Today's edition by:

COLAtoday Team

Editorial: Samantha Robertson,

David Stringer, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto

Sales: Lindsey Rhinesmith

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