Do Good has Done Good! : Anniversary Celebration
Oct
23
5:00 PM17:00

Do Good has Done Good! : Anniversary Celebration


(Do) Good things are happening! 

Last year, Richland Library hosted Do Good Columbia, a community problem-solving and design workshop focused on enhancing access, usage and enjoyment of Columbia’s beautiful rivers. Grant funding from the Knight Foundation (via Central Carolina Community Foundation) and project management by EngenuitySC made it possible to implement ideas generated during the workshop. 

Join us as we celebrate the newly-updated “Waterworks” at Riverfront Park.

Food and beverages available for purchase from Bierkeller and Wurst Wagon.

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Aug
31
6:00 PM18:00

Natural and Cultural History of the Congaree River

Kayakers on Cedar Creek. Photo by Jtmartin57

Kayakers on Cedar Creek. Photo by Jtmartin57

Join park rangers Jon Manchester, David Shelley, and Liz Struhar from Congaree National Park to learn about the natural and cultural history of the Congaree River, how it has affected the landscape and the people who call Richland County home, and what Congaree National Park is doing today to preserve this landscape and special waterway.

Richland Library Main, Theater (2nd Level)

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Aug
27
3:00 PM15:00

Scenes from Columbia's Riverbanks

Local author and photographer Vennie Deas-Moore captured both the beauty and the history of the Congaree, the Broad and the Saluda Rivers in her book meant to inspire and guide visits to our area waterways. Learn about her process of exploring and researching the rivers, her writing process, and what she learned about river access, ecotourism, and what gets in the way.

This program will take place in the Local History Room at Richland Library Main.

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Aug
26
10:00 AM10:00

Summer Celebration of Water

The City of Columbia, Lexington County and Richland County are proud to jointly host the 7th Annual Summer Celebration of Water! Come have a splashin’ good time at this free family friendly event! To find out more or to volunteer, contact Victoria Kramer at vlkramer@columbiasc.net or (803) 545-3227.

Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park
Park your cars at 1704 Gist Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Exhibitor Activities

  • Science of Splash: What is a watershed and how does it work? What can science teach us about our local rivers and streams? Exhibits in this area will showcase information about local watersheds, pollution prevention, water science and technology, engineering and math activities, and hydrology.Play
  • Drink Tap! All visitors can get a cool drink of Columbia’s award-winning tap water and learn how much plastic waste you can reduce by using reusable water bottles.
  • Paddlesports: Once again, we will have FREE canoeing, kayaking, tubing and paddle boarding in the Columbia Canal!
  • Play Zone: Youngsters can play on inflatable water slides, sprinklers and more!

Tour Schedule

In between visiting our exhibitors, join us on one of the many fun tours that will be offered! Additional tour information will be added soon.

Click here for more information.

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Aug
21
1:00 PM13:00

Total Eclipse on the River

Enjoy a quiet paddle along the refreshingly cool Lower Saluda River! Park Ranger Bryan will guide the group to a beautiful viewing area for the Total Eclipse. Participants will receive Eclipse glasses and refreshments. Bring sunscreen and water friendly shoes. Pre-registration is required. 20 spots available. For all ages. $30/per person.

1:00 - 4:00 p.m., Monday, August 21

Saluda Shoals Park

5605 Bush River Road, Columbia SC 29212

Click here to register.

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Southern Lights Unveiling and Reception
Aug
19
7:30 PM19:30

Southern Lights Unveiling and Reception

Southern Lights, a signature, long-term art installation by artist Chris Robinson, will span the Congaree River between the Blossom Street and Gervais Street bridges. 

Scheduled to light up every evening for three hours around dusk in Cayce, South Carolina, City of West Columbia, SC and Experience Columbia SC, this installation is coming to fruition through supporters including What's Next Midlands, the The Vista, the South Carolina State Museum,EdVenture Children’s Museum, BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, the City of Columbia Government and OneColumbia. 

Join What's Next Midlands as the installation lights for the first time for First Night Southern Lights on Saturday, Aug. 19, as part of the Total Eclipse Weekend Columbia, SC celebrations. This launch will be from 7:30-10 p.m. on Coble Plaza at EdVenture Children’s Museum and will offer cool Italian ices by Rita's in the Vista and Eclipse Pale Ale, a special collaboration between The Whig!! and Catawba Brewing Co.!

What's Next Midlands will also be giving out Eclipse glasses for the first 200 guests!

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Jul
15
10:00 AM10:00

Learn Freely Fest

An exciting day of learning for the whole family. Explore, learn, create, play, get active, pick up some good-to-know life skills, and most of all have fun!

10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Richland Library Main

1431 Assembly Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Check out these river related activities:

  • "Make it rain" with the Gills Creek Watershed Association at a hands-on learning center demonstrating how watersheds work and how they relate to pollution
  • River guide Michael Frank from Frank's Fly Arts will teach you how to get started fly fishing in our areas rivers. You can also try your hand at fly tying and casting!

Visit RichlandLibrary.com for the full Learn Freely Fest schedule.

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