This weekend in Sumter, SC

A welcoming youth tournament for participants ages 8 to 16.

Climb into a real NASCAR stock car with NASCAR Racing Experience and drive it yourself. You will not be following a pace vehicle and there is no instructor in the cockpit, so it is just you and the racetrack. Those who would rather feel the speed from the passenger seat can opt for a pro-driven ride that tops 150 miles per hour. A bucket list experience for motorsports fans.

Now in its 14th year, the Columbia WALK to End Hydrocephalus brings people together to honor warriors and raise awareness about hydrocephalus. This community walk focuses on solidarity and support, offering a meaningful way to recognize strength and spotlight the cause.

Orangeburg comes together for the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Orangeburg Walk at Edisto Memorial Gardens. This community event honors survivors and caregivers, supports those in treatment, and remembers loved ones, while raising funds for education, research, and hope. The goal is $20,000, with $10,237 already raised and $9,763 still to go. Participants can register to walk, start a team or join one, make a donation, become a sponsor, and help spread the word by inviting family and friends. Many share the names of those they are walking for to recognize every story and every life touched by breast cancer, with a shared commitment to making a lasting impact in Orangeburg County.

Celebrate and support local veterans at a community-focused day of food, entertainment, and good company. Everyone is welcome, whether arriving by motorcycle, car, truck, or on foot, and family and friends are welcome too. Proceeds support veterans and veteran-focused programs through the mission of Vets Helping Vets, turning a fun gathering into meaningful community impact.

Created by the Future Leaders in Medicine Group, this annual 5K fun run at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine in Columbia, SC brings medical students from across the country together to support Curing Kids Cancer and advance critical pediatric research. The event welcomes all ages and running abilities, whether aiming for a fast finish or enjoying a relaxed run for a meaningful cause. Teams of four or more get a $5 per person discount on individual registration, and the top three teams receive a special award on race day.

Heroes Hideout hosts a weekly Yu-Gi-Oh event in Florence that welcomes duelists who want to compete or simply get more practice games. Entry is $5, and each participant receives two OTS packs upon signing up. For every eight players in the field, one booster box is added to the prize pool. Payout depends on attendance. With 16 or fewer players, prizes go to the top four finishers, allocated as 40 percent for first, 30 percent for second, and 15 percent for both third and fourth. With 17 or more players, prizes extend to the top eight, awarded as 30 percent for first, 20 percent for second, 15 percent for third and fourth, and 5 percent for fifth through eighth.

A gala is on the calendar, and the official start time will be shared on the event website. Please check the site for the latest schedule information and any updates before you make plans.

Now in its fourth year, the Caregiver’s Gala centers on the theme Bridges, emphasizing stronger connections between kinship caregivers and the essential supports that help the children they nurture. Across communities, grandparents, relatives, and close family friends often step into crucial caregiving roles with little preparation and steady dedication, holding families together while carrying significant responsibility. This event both celebrates their resilience and encourages wider support. The awareness it builds, along with funds raised, fuels the growth of programs that link families with support services, advocacy, training opportunities, and wellness resources.

Cola Cafe Fest launches as a celebration of coffee, tea, pastries, desserts, and cafe culture at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center. Local and regional cafes, coffee roasters, tea brands, bakeries, dessert makers, specialty drink vendors, artisan food businesses, and other makers come together for a marketplace filled with distinctive drinks and treats. Attendees can discover new cafes, shop cafe-inspired products from artisan vendors, watch live demonstrations, and connect with the people behind local brands. Highlights include a latte art throwdown competition, offerings from tea and matcha specialists, boba and other creative beverages, coffee roasters and cafes, and plenty of photo-worthy sips alongside pastries and desserts. The festival offers something for fans of specialty coffee, matcha, boba, baked goods, sweets, and the easygoing atmosphere of a great cafe.

Historic Columbia leads a guided walking tour of Main Street, highlighting the architecture and history of buildings along the 1300 through 1700 blocks. The route begins and concludes at Boyd Plaza and lasts about 75 minutes. Only 20 advance tickets are available, and no walk-up sales will be offered. Tickets are $5 for HC members and $10 for non-members, with free admission for youth 17 and under.

Free roller skating lessons at Finlay Park are tailored for true beginners and those returning to the activity, and they welcome participants of all ages. Instruction focuses on essential skills that are revisited during monthly sessions to build confidence and consistency. For a more progressive option, a separate 6-week Beginners Group course is available. For information on upcoming classes, pricing, and locations, email info@letsgetrollnsc.com or check the Events section of the organizer’s Facebook page. Expect a friendly, supportive environment that encourages getting active outdoors with guidance provided throughout.