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It’s Friday, Columbia! Let’s finish this week strong.

In today’s can’t-miss-weekend-plans edition: Run clubs building community, a massive art crawl, and a dog-friendly Mardi Gras walk + a stacked lineup of events this weekend.

Today’s sponsor (FinanceBuzz) built a free comparison tool that helped me cut my car insurance premiums in half. It took about 3 minutes, and honestly… I wish I’d done it sooner. If you haven’t shopped around in a while, you can easily check the best rates here.

📰 In the news

Finding community through movement: Run clubs across Columbia are drawing runners of all ages, from USC sorority groups to faith-based crews. Started by locals like Carson Jones in 2025, the movement spans generations — read the full story.

Local shopping scene expands: Burlington opens today in Columbia at Columbiana Station on Harbison Boulevard, bringing more name brand finds for Midlands shoppers between the Target and the Sierra that opened last year — find opening date and location.

Community gathering gains momentum: Hundreds turned out as Finlay Fridays kicked off at Columbia’s Finlay Park with the Reggie Sullivan Band. The concert series continues on Fridays with bands, food trucks, and family fun — get all the details.

Gold & silver are hot: Coming off gold’s best year since 1979, the momentum is carrying well into 2026 with silver remaining one of the most talked-about assets. Curious why they’re back in focus? American Hartford Gold has a free guide that explains what’s happening and how people are approaching it today. It’s free – and definitely worth a read.

Someone Googled you this week: Whether you’re dating again, selling something locally, or just meeting new neighbors… people are going to look you up. Like it or not, the internet has a way of surfacing past mistakes and outdated information that no longer reflects who you are. Thankfully, there’s a really easy way for you (or someone you care about) to clean up all that up – learn more here.

Highlights this week:

• Country legends tribute benefits cancer charity
• Hunt vintage treasures in BullStreet District
• Savor curated wines benefiting Transitions Homeless Center
• Over 62? See how to turn home equity into tax-free cash

🚗 Are you quietly overpaying for car insurance?

Together with our sponsor FinanceBuzz

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Soulful plant-based comfort: Craving a cozy, meatless upgrade? At A Peace of Soul Vegan Kitchen, classic Southern comfort becomes hearty plant-based plates that fill you up and treat you right. Expect to feel good after… and maybe brag about those leftovers later.

Treasure-hunting made easy: Re•Find is a multi-vendor vintage and antique spot with a mix from mid-century modern to classic finds, and it’s always evolving. A “just looking” lap often becomes a quick home refresh… plus a mental note to come back soon.

Get linked this week: At Poshture Boutique, permanent jewelry means dainty, custom-fit chains welded with a quick spark in 14k gold-filled or sterling silver, plus charms and birthstones for a personal touch. Perfect for matching moments with your bestie. Low effort, high sparkle.

An emergency vet visit could cost you $7,000+ (ask me how I know 🙃). From the initial fee just to be seen to x-rays, surgery, medicine, and aftercare, it adds up quicker than a chew toy turns into a crime scene. The good news? You could get up to 90% cash back on your vet bill with this pet insurance plan.

📆 Around town this weekend

Have an event to share? BaseLocal Verified Businesses can submit them for free! Learn more about how to submit an event here →

All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.

🔨 Craftsmen’s Spring Classic @ SC State Fairgrounds | Friday (3/6) at 10:00 AM – Columbia’s award-winning spring art fix lands at the State Fairgrounds, all indoors, so your sinuses can enjoy it. Hundreds of juried makers bring pottery, glass, jewelry, and more, most taking custom orders. Buy once, then loop back with the free return pass.

🎨 8th Annual Cottontown Art Crawl @ Cottontown/Bellevue Historic District | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Cottontown is transforming into an open-air gallery with 230 artists, live music, and enough food trucks to test your willpower. It’s free, family- and pet-friendly, and you’ll meet the makers, buy local, and call it cardio, then still bump into three neighbors you like.

🌿 Yard & Lawn Care @ South Ground Supply Company | Saturday (3/7) at 10:00 AM – Trade guesswork for green at a down-to-earth lawn care seminar with Rick Woodley. He covers fertilizing schedules, weed and pest basics, mowing, watering, and troubleshooting, then tackles your toughest turf questions, so the only thing spreading in your yard is neighbor envy.

🐕 Bark to the Park @ Saluda Shoals Park Soccer Complex | Saturday (3/7) at 11:00 AM – If your dog’s been angling for beads, here’s your Mardi Gras fix, Midlands style. Join the pup parade and easygoing walk, then let tails roll at After-Pawty with contests, freebies, a car show, K9s in Flight, and more, all benefiting pets in need.

🏅 Cornhole Tournament for Special Olympics @ Publico at BullStreet | Saturday (3/7) at 12:00 PM – In the spirit of the Winter Games, Publico at BullStreet is hosting a cornhole tournament for Special Olympics, so your underhand toss actually does some good. Play, cheer, or just donate and hang out. $15 gets you in, kids under 12 are free.

☘ St. Paddy’s Day Art Class @ Artistic Aspirations, LLC | Saturday (3/7) at 1:00 PM – Got a kid who thinks green glitter is a food group? This St. Paddy’s art class gives your young artist 90 minutes of shamrocky projects and a snack, ages 6+, $30, while you enjoy a quiet coffee, and not cleaning.

🍀 11th Annual Shamrock Parade @ Downtown Lexington | Sunday (3/8) at 3:00 PM – Downtown’s turning emerald for the Shamrock Parade, with Irish dancers, brass, and more beauty queens than a church cookbook. Claim a spot on Main, sip something warm, and let the floats, local characters, and color commentary roll by. Wear green, avoid pinches, bring the kids.

Live music & entertainment:

• 3/6 Brandon Oakes @ O’Hara’s Bakery Café – 7:00 PM
• 3/6 Tauren Wells: The Take It All Back Tour @ Mt. Horeb Church – 7:00 PM
• 3/7 The Magic Purple Circle @ Mike Brown Contemporary Art Gallery – 11:00 AM
• 3/7 Latin Nights @ Lola B – 6:00 PM
• 3/7 Michael Jackson Tribute Show @ Luxe Life – 7:00 PM
• 3/7 A French Quarter Fête @ Columbia Museum of Art – 7:00 PM
• 3/8 Salsa Sundays @ Gather Cola – 3:00 PM

Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →

🔥 Worth a peek

We’re always on the hunt for useful resources, deals, services, and products we think you’ll love. Here’s what caught our eye this week.

• Thinning hair? Don’t wait – here are 3 treatments that work
• This free tool helps connect you with the right financial advisor
• Got debt? You may be able to pay less than you owe
• You can own physical gold and silver in your retirement account
• Treat yourself: Save on self-care during the CVS Epic Beauty Sale

📻 Columbia report

Weather forecast

Today – High: 82°F – Low: 62°F – Precip: 22%

Patchy fog between 7am and 9am, then a slight chance of thunderstorms and a slight chance of rain between 2pm and 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 82. South wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. Later: A slight chance of thunderstorms and a slight chance of rain before 7pm. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62. South wind around 3 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

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Tomorrow – High: 83°F – Low: 63°F – Precip: 19%

A slight chance of rain showers after 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 83. South wind 2 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible. Later: A slight chance of rain showers before 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 20%. New rainfall amounts less than a tenth of an inch possible.

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