Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Living Here
A product of VEHICLE REGISTRATION
New residents of South Carolina have up to
90 days to renew their drivers licenses and up
to 45 days to transfer vehicle registrations.
Youll need proof of identity, U.S. citizenship
and date of birth, proof of Social Security num-
ber, and two proofs of current physical address.
Temporary residents like military person-
nel and college students are not required to
obtain a South Carolina drivers license.
Before you can register your vehicle in South
Carolina, you must pay the vehicle property
taxes required in your county. Youll also be
required to pay an Infrastructure Maintenance
Fee, $250 per vehicle, and title and regis-
tration fees. See www.scdmvonline.com/fees. THE STATE file photo
July 23, 2017 To pay property taxes on your vehicle, take Effective earlier this year, drivers registering a car in South Carolina must pay an Infrastructure
your registration and your drivers license Maintenance Fee, which is $250 per vehicle, as well as title and registration fees.
(with your new address) to the county
auditors office.
SARA Lexington County Auditors Office: 212 S. Lexington: 122 Park Road, Lexington. dren 5 and younger ride free. All-day, multiday
JOHNSON BORTON Lake Drive, Suite 103, Lexington. 803-785-8181. 803-356-8537. and multiride passes available at the Transit
President Richland County Auditors Office: Center, 1745 Sumter St. catchthecomet.org.
and Publisher 2020 Hampton St., Suite 2067, Columbia. AIRPORTS Megabus offers routes from Columbia to
803-576-2605; rcauditor@rcgov.us. The Columbia Metropolitan Airport Atlanta; Durham, North Carolina; Fayette-
BERNIE HELLER
(CAE): 3250 Airport Blvd., West Columbia; ville, North Carolina; New York; Philadel-
Vice President
DMV LOCATIONS 803-822-5025; https://columbiaairport.com; phia; Richmond, Virginia; and Washington.
of Advertising
Batesburg: 509 Liberty St., Batesburg. info@columbiaairport.com. Buses leave from the Sumter Street Transit
REBEKAH 803-532-5285. Jim Hamilton-L.B. Owens Airport: Station, 1780 Sumter St., Columbia.
LEWIS HALL Blythewood: 10311 Wilson Blvd., Blythe- 1400 Jim Hamilton Blvd., Columbia; us.megabus.com.
Special Projects wood. 803-896-9983. 803-771-7915; www.flykcub.com. Greyhound buses leave from Columbia
Coordinator Columbia: 1630 Shop Road, Columbia. Bus Station, 710-A Buckner Road, Columbia.
803-737-8350. BUSES 803-256-6465; greyhound.com.
.............................................
Columbia: 228-A ONeil Court, Columbia. The COMET serves Columbia and some
803-419-9403. surrounding communities. Standard one-way TRAINS
About this Irmo-Ballentine: 1016 Broad Stone Road, fares are $1.50, with discounts for special Amtrak trains leave from 850 Pulaski St.,
section Irmo. 803-749-9041. needs, seniors and Medicare recipients. Chil- Columbia. www.amtrak.com.
So youve moved to
the Midlands! We have
everything you need
to know about making
yourself at home here,
from the logistics of
GETTING SETTLED POST OFFICES
moving and settling
in, to finding the fun. BALLENTINE Dutch Fork: 1120 Briargate Circle. GADSDEN LEXINGTON
1720 Dutch Fork Road, Suite A. Eau Claire: 4026 Lamar St. 7731 Bluff Road. Downtown: 710 W. Main St.
Edgewood: 2638 Two Notch Lexington: 1830 S. Lake Drive.
.............................................
BLYTHEWOOD Road, Suite 112. GASTON
On the cover 401 McNulty St. Five Points: 2108 Greene St. 220 S. Main St. PELION
Forest Acres: 4840 Forest Drive. 739 Pine St.
Staff Sgt. Matt Wesley CAYCE-WEST COLUMBIA Fort Jackson: 4350 Magruder Ave.
GILBERT
walks with his 1535 Platt Springs Road. Leesburg: 7406 Garners Ferry STATE PARK
401 Broad St.
daughter Harper Road. 20 Hinton St.
Wesley during Fort CHAPIN Northeast: 8505 Two Notch
Jacksons centennial 1249 Chapin Road. Road. HOPKINS SWANSEA
celebration June 3. Sandhills: 1805 Clemson Road. 6200 Lower Richland Blvd. 295 S. Church St.
Photo by Sean COLUMBIA
Rayford for The State. Capitol: 1233 Marion St. EASTOVER IRMO WHITE ROCK
............................................. Columbia: 1601 Assembly St. 301 Main St. 7821 St. Andrews Road. 1947 Dutch Fork Road.
4D ...........................................................................................................THE STATE SUNDAY JULY 23 2017
USC LIBRARIES
Every University of
South Carolina alum
knows about the Thomas
Cooper Library, sitting
behind its picturesque
fountain in the center of
campus. But USC is home
to several libraries, which
offer a wealth of history, MATT WALSH file photo
C
olumbia was
created as a
capital city.
The state
Legislature
created a new state capital
in 1786 and named it
Columbia. The city was
designed in 2 square
miles, broken into 400
blocks. Half-acre lots were
sold to potential residents
and speculators.
It was home to the states
second State House.
South Carolinas first
State House was in Char-
leston. The Columbia
State House was made of
wood with a brick base-
ment at the corner of
Senate and Richardson
TIM DOMINICK tdominick@thestate.com (now Main) streets. The
In honor of National Hospice Month last November, Agape Hospice Care displayed General Assembly first
180 umbrellas at the State House to represent its 420 Midlands patients during the met in its Columbia State
previous year. House in 1790.
When General William
T. Sherman and the Union
army captured Columbia
on Feb. 17, 1865, the old
State House was destroyed
by fire. A monument stands
on the State House grounds
where the old building
stood. Construction on the
new State House was post- TRACY GLANTZ file photo
D
owntown Columbia while they switch out freight transportation penny sales tax.
commuters do well cars. Norfolk Southerns local Now, enough growth and
to keep an eye out switching yard is off Shop Road, change have happened at down-
for trains. near Owens Field in Columbia. towns southern edge that the
While various train CSXs yard is off State Street in impact study must be updated
crossings are sprinkled across the Cayce. before the city can again
region, one of the greatest con- Among the long-considered consider a solution.
centration of tracks can be found options for improving the There are no restrictions on
between the University of South decades-old problem of active how many trains run through an
Carolina campus and Williams- train tracks intersecting with area each day, and companies
Brice Stadium. busy downtown traffic are: are not required to publish a
Columbia is a hub for both A Consolidating some of the schedule.
Norfolk Southern and CSX rail lines that carry CSX and The state and many cities,
Transportation, two of the four Norfolk Southern trains. including Columbia and Cayce,
major railroad companies in the A Closing some of the street- limit the time locally, to five
United States. level railroad crossings on As- minutes that trains legally can
That makes for regular train sembly Street and in the mill block an intersection once they
stops, particularly along Assem- village neighborhoods. JEFF BLAKE file photo come to a complete stop. But
bly Street and in surrounding A Elevating some rails to A CSX train passes a switching signal. the penalties are quite low.
areas, including Olympia Mills. bridges over busy streets. But commuters who experi-
Some of the most trouble- A study in 2009 produced ence an excessively long stop
some back-ups are generally several options for consolidating borhoods. But a lack of funding cessfully sought funding for rail can call the number posted at
closer to the switching yards and relocating railroad tracks $100 million or more kept the relocation from the State Infra- the rail crossing to alert officials
where trains are more prone to along Assembly and Huger project from moving forward. structure Bank and the first of a delay.
slow down, stop and back up streets and in the nearby neigh- The city at the time unsuc- proposed Richland County THE STATE ARCHIVES
14D ...........................................................................................................THE STATE SUNDAY JULY 23 2017
J
. ......................................................
ust over 100 years
ago, with World
War I raging in
Fort Jacksons
Europe, many impact
Americans believed
the United States would Fort Jacksons far-reaching
soon be drawn into the impact on Columbia and its
fight. Many also saw that economy has been
the country was unpre- validated in everything
pared for war. Among the from thwarting big-time
most pressing needs: U.S. defense cuts to being a
training camps for tool in promoting the
soldiers. Midlands as an ideal place
Columbia Chamber to live and retire.
leaders thought their city Fort Jackson which
would be ideal for such a celebrated its centennial in
camp. So they proposed to June pumps more than
the Army that land for- $4 billion a year into the
merly owned by the late Midlands economy,
Wade Hampton be select- according to a USC study
ed for training. The cham- released in April.
ber led a fundraising drive
that quickly raised That makes the fort, the
$59,000 to purchase the Armys largest basic
property east of Columbia training center, a vital cog
from the Hampton estate, in the local economy.
according to a history of
Fort Jackson prepared for It also is an important cog
its 50th anniversary. in the overall $24.1 billion
On May 19, 1917 just a economic impact the
month after Congress SEAN RAYFORD online@thestate.com military exerts on the
declared war on Germany Pvt. Quinton Wright of D Company, 2nd Battalion, 193rd Infantry, tries on a uniform during downtime at Fort Jackson. Palmetto State each year.
Maj. Douglas MacArthur USCs Moore School of
announced that one of the Business produced the
Armys 16 new camps study on the economic
would be constructed near impact of the military in
Columbia. South Carolina.
Columbia put up a .......................................................
good fight for the camp,
and deserved to win, The
State newspaper declared.
In June of that year, a Golden Knights Parachute
contract was awarded to Team kicked off the
Hardaway Contracting festivities.
Co. of Columbus, Ga., to The nations largest
build the camp. During training base gave all
the next six months, 5,000 of its soldiers in
Hardaway built 1,519 training the night off. That
buildings at the camp, was unusual because, in
including theaters, stores, the forts other big cele-
barracks, training facil- SEAN RAYFORD online@thestate.com SEAN RAYFORD online@thestate.com brations, such as the
ities, stables and garages, Private Jamie Udet of D Company, 2nd Battalion, 193rd Soldiers participate in the Centennial Run at Fort Jackson, Fourth of July, soldiers in
according to the 50th Infantry, laces up a pair of boots. where the Army has been training soldiers since World War I. the first phase of their
anniversary history. An training do not get to
airfield also was built, and attend.
railroad lines were laid. World War II. Since then, and the Persian Gulf. In Fort Jackson capped off An estimated crowd of In addition to the
Just more than two soldiers have trained at between those wars, sol- its 100th birthday with a 12,000 had jammed Hil- concert, the new soldiers
decades later, more than the fort for every major diers trained at Fort Jack- command performance by ton Field the forts main were treated to their own
500,000 soldiers were U.S. conflict, including son have helped keep the country music stars Hunter parade ground by 6 p.m., individual pizzas.
trained for combat in those in Korea, Vietnam, peace. Hayes and Kellie Pickler. when the U.S. Army JEFF WILKINSON
SUNDAY JULY 23 2017 THE STATE..................................................................................................... 15D
of Historic Places, including doesnt count directly into the The USC Horseshoe is the birthplace of the university and it remains a favorite destination for students.
the nations first freestanding numbers, it will have an impact
college library. on the reputation.
According to university A few things to know about new medical school.
archivist Elizabeth Cassidy the law schools new digs: The USC Foundation in
West, co-author of On the A The building features 17 December purchased 5 acres
Horseshoe: A Guide to the classrooms, ranging in size of land along Harden Street
Historic Campus of the Uni- from 20 to 95 seats, and two from the S.C. Department of
versity Carolina, the Horse- realistic courtrooms, includ- Mental Health. The university
shoe Wall was constructed in ing one that also can be used paid $600,000, money do-
1835 and 1836 not to keep as a 300-seat auditorium. nated to it by Bob Hughes,
people out, but to try to keep A The judges bench in the the propertys Greenville-
students in. They had a habit larger courtroom is the origi- based master developer.
of sneaking off campus to nal heart-pine S.C. Supreme He was giving us the land,
visit Columbias taverns, Court bench from the 1870s. in effect, USC Foundation
which was against the rules. A New students began using director Russ Meekins said.
The brick wall was originally the building for summer Hughes has pledged even-
around 7 feet high and en- classes. tually to donate 16 acres of
closed the campus on Sumter, the property to the states
Pendleton, Bull, and Greene MEDICAL SCHOOL PLANS flagship university, which
streets. There was one opening The University of South plans to build a $200 million
in the middle of the Sumter Carolinas real estate arm has medical school and health GERRY MELENDEZ gmelendez@thestate.com
Street side, but the students started buying pieces of the sciences complex there. The central courtyard at the School of Laws new Gervais Street building
just climbed the wall to contin- Bull Street property for its THE STATE ARCHIVES features granite benches from the old state penitentiary.
SUNDAY JULY 23 2017 THE STATE..................................................................................................... 19D
1 Dreher
Island State
Park, 3677 State
Park Road, Prosperity.
2 SCE&G sites on
Lake Murray: Both on
North Lake Drive, on either
side of the Dreher Shoals
Dam. Lake Murray beach,
1888 N. Lake Drive, Lexing- CITY OF COLUMBIA Lorick Park, 1600 Lorick Ave.
ton; Irmo-side park, 2101 N. PARKS Martin Luther King Jr.
Lake Drive, Columbia.
8 Crooked
22
(not shown on map) Park, 2300 Greene St.
9 23
Mays Park, 4100 Trenholm
4 Harbison State Forest, Gibson Pond Park, Caughman Road Earlewood Park, 1111
241 Gibson Road, Road.
5600 Broad River Road, Park, 2800 Trotter Parkside Drive
14 18
Columbia. Lexington. Road, Columbia. Melrose Park, 1500 Fair-
Ridgewood Park, Blythewood Park, Emily Douglas Park, 2500
10 24
view Road.
5 Cayce and West Co- Virginia Hylton Park, 805 Crest St., 126 Boney Road, Hopkins Park, Wheat St.
lumbia Riverwalk, 111 Maiden Lane, Columbia. Blythewood. 150 Hopkins Park Pacific Park, 200 Wayne St.
Finlay Park, 930 Laurel St.
15 19
Alexander Road, West Lexington. Road, Hopkins.
Trenholm Park, Killian Park, Pinehurst Park, 2300
11 25
Columbia, and Old State Friarsgate Park, 1712 3900 Covenant Road, 1424 Marthan Road, Eastover Park, Greenview Park, 6700 Pinehurst Road.
Road, Cayce. Chadford Road, Irmo. Columbia. Blythewood. 1031 Main St., David St.
Riverfront Park, 312 Laurel St.
6 Sesquicentennial
12 Seven Oaks Park,
16 Meadowlake Park,
20 North Springs Eastover. Hampton Park, 117
26
State Park, 9564 Two 200 Leisure Lane, 600 Beckman Road, Park, 1320 Clemson Brandon Ave. St. Annas Park, 1315 Liber-
Guinard Park,
Notch Road, Columbia. Columbia. Columbia. Road, Columbia. ty Hill Ave.
301 Knox Abbott Heathwood Park, 800
7 Congaree National
13 Carraway Communi-
17 Forest Lake Park, 6820
21 Polo Road Park, Drive, Cayce. Abelia Road. Sims Park, 3500 Duncan St.
27
Park, 100 National Park ty Park, 212 Hudson Wedgefield Road, 730 Polo Road, St. Andrews Park, Hyatt Park, 950 Jackson Woodland Park, 6500 Old
Road, Hopkins. St., West Columbia. Columbia. Columbia. 920 Beatty Road. Ave. Knight Parkway.
SUNDAY JULY 23 2017 THE STATE..................................................................................................... 23D
F
rom pontoon parades to bass boats
and Bomb Island, Lake Murray
has something for everyone who
loves nature and the water. The
reservoir about 15 miles northwest
of Columbia is known for its excellent
fishing and boating. It has been a stop
on the Bass Masters and the Forrest
Wood Cup professional bass fishing
tour. Large striped bass are also plenti-
ful for those who want more bang for
their bite.
And theres plenty of room for
recreational water sports. The ad-
venturous can try water skiing,
tubing, wakeboarding, or wake
surfing, while the more laid back
may boat to one of the many
islands to swim and relax on
the shore.
Bomb Island, near the
center of the lake, was
used by Doolittles
Raiders as a target for
dropping bombs in
preparation for their
famous 1942 air raid
on Tokyo. The is-
land, also known as
Doolittle Island, is
designated as North
Americas first official
sanctuary for purple
martins.
SCE&G, which
manages Lake
Murray, main-
tains two recre-
ational areas
on each end
of the dam;
the southern
one has a large
beach area for
swimming.
Dreher Island
State Park offers
campsites with facil-
ities and lakeside villas.
The park, which has pic-
nic tables and shelters for
daytime outings, is considered
the dividing line for the lakes
two personalities.
East of the park, the big water is
surrounded by lakefront homes among the
priciest in the Midlands. West of the park, the
ILLUSTRATION BY SUSAN ARDIS
sardis@thestate.com
lake narrows and twists. Homes in that area tend
to be modest weekend getaways and country retreats.
TIM DOMINICK AND TIM FLACH
24D ...........................................................................................................THE STATE SUNDAY JULY 23 2017
Patriotically decorated boats of all shapes and sizes line up at Bomb Island for the start
of Lake Murrays Independence Day boat parade.
1
HIT THE BEACH: The beach on the
south side of the dam offers swim-
ming, picnicking and a sandy
beach. Both parks are open through
Sept. 8. Admission is $3 for most vehi-
cles. www.sceg.com/about-us/lakes-and
-recreation
2
EXERCISE WITH A VIEW: The Lake
Murray dam its official name is the
Dreher Shoals Dam is an engineer-
ing marvel. And one of the best ways to JEFF BLAKE jblake@thestate.com
3
or lakeside villa. Admission is $2 for
BIRD WATCH: Nature is all around adults, $1.25 for senior South Carolina
at Lake Murray, particularly of the residents, and free for ages 15 and young-
feathered variety. One of the most er. 3577 State Park Road, Prosperity;
anticipated events of the year is viewing southcarolinaparks.com/dreherisland
5
the thousands of purple martins, which
usually roost at Bomb Island. The migra- HAVE A FESTIVE FOURTH: Few
tory birds that winter in South America throw an Independence Day party
typically come in July and early August. like Lake Murray. The celebration
4
includes a daytime boat parade, with
GET BACK TO NATURE: Dreher boats of every shape and size streaming
Island State Parks 348 acres span along the waters in a festive show. Watch
three islands. Take a hike on Little evening fireworks from a boat or the
Gap Trail, launch a boat from one of more parks at the dam. www.lakemurray
than a dozen ramps, visit the tackle shop country.com
SUNDAY JULY 23 2017 THE STATE..................................................................................................... 25D
POINTS OF INTEREST CONGAREE NATIONAL PARK, HARBISON STATE FOREST, SESQUICENTENNIAL STATE PARK
J
ust because a couple
hours drive can get you to
the mountains or beaches
doesnt mean you have to
leave the Columbia area for a
good ol outdoor adventure.
At Congaree National Park,
the nations largest intact tract of
old-growth bottomland hardwood TRACY GLANTZ tglantz@thestate.com
C
olumbia sits at the con- south end. Parking areas are at
fluence of two rivers 435 Meeting St. and the Capital
the wide and smooth Square Shopping Center. 121
Broad and the rocky and Alexander Road, West Columbia.
cold Saluda and the Congaree, Fort Granby. The ruins of this
which is formed where the Broad British fort, first established in
and Saluda join near the Elm- 1780 and used during the Revolu-
wood-Interstate 126 bridge. tionary War, can be found along
Each river has its own person- Taylor Street in Cayce. The fort
ality and opportunities for a started out as the home of James
good time in the tri-city area Cayce, but the British took it
consisting of Columbia, West over, fortified it, and garrisoned
Columbia and Cayce. 350 soldiers there. It was cap-
It also has one link connecting tured by Patriot forces in 1781.
them all, Three Rivers Green-
way. The walking path is com- ETC.
posed of the Columbia Canal Beginning on the Saluda and
and Riverfront Park, West Co- running through Columbia on the
lumbia Riverwalk and the Cayce Congaree are seven public land-
Riverwalk and is 8.5 miles long. ing sites where you can launch a
small boat, kayak, canoe or inner
THE BROAD tube. On the Broad, put in at the
The Broad starts in the moun- north access point of Riverfront
tains of North Carolina and Park and drift downstream. Keep
winds its way south, flattening in mind that the Jordan Memorial
as it goes, until it reaches the GERRY MELENDEZ gmelendez@thestate.com Boat Ramp (on the left side float-
city limits of Columbia at the Mowgli joins Alston Grapengeter and Val Feliciano as they head down the Congaree River in July. ing down the Congaree, at the
Broad River Correctional In- end of Rosewood Drive) and the
stitution, flowing under In- Thomas Newman Public Boat
terstate 20 and into downtown. canal. The worlds first fully elec- landing for small watercraft; the river or along the banks should Landing (on the right side, at
trically operated textile mill and Environmental Education Center; move to higher ground. Granby Landing Road) are the
ALONG THE WAY Columbias first hydroelectric a splash pad; picnic areas and the last public landings for 47 miles.
Riverside Golf & Recreation plant are located in the 167-acre Barking Lot dog park. Daily ad- THE CONGAREE Unless youre planning on
Center. The nine-hole golf course park. Two entrances: North access mission fees. Park passes avail- The Congaree is formed by the spending the night in the
and driving range offers beautiful at 4210 River Drive, South access able for purchase. Entrances: East, confluence, or coming together, swamp, you better take out in
views of the river. When you get at 312 Laurel St. www.facebook. 6071 St. Andrews Road; West, of the Broad and Saluda. The Cayce, said Congaree River-
frustrated chasing tiny white golf com/Columbias-Riverfront-Park 5606 Bush River Road. www. headwaters of the new river are a keeper Bill Stangler.
balls, relax by renting a standup icrc.net/saluda-shoals-park bit rocky, but the Congaree wid- River rentals: Places you can
paddleboard or kayak. You can THE SALUDA The rapids. Access is no longer ens and flattens out just beyond rent canoes, kayaks and inner
even go kayak fishing. Garner The Saluda originates in the available from the Riverbanks the Blossom Street Bridge. The tubes or schedule a trip on the
Lane, just off I-20. www.riverside South Carolina foothills and runs Zoo parking lot, so youll have to river continues its slow progres- rivers in Columbia include Pal-
golfandreccenter.com through a couple of dammed pay to park at Palmetto Outdoor sion south, winding through metto Outdoors, Adventure
Columbia Rowing Club. Offers lakes Lake Greenwood and Center on Candi Lane or risk Congaree National Park, before Carolina, River Runner Outdoor
classes in rowing and hosts the Lake Murray before reaching getting towed. The large granite emptying into Lake Marion. Center, Phoenix Adventures and
University of South Carolina Columbia. The Saludas path rocks in the Saluda have long Carolina Outdoor Adventure.
Crew and rowing crews from below the Lake Murray dam is been a summer hangout for Co- ALONG THE WAY Fishing trips: Let an expert take
northern colleges and high narrower than the Broads, and lumbians who want to chill, work West Columbia Amphitheater & you to where the fish are hiding
schools who travel south to the river level rises and falls as on their tans and the occasional Riverwalk Park. This is the first in the rivers. Franks Fly Arts and
train. 1871 Omarest Drive. www. SCE&G releases water from the kayaker navigate the series of public landing spot just below the Saluda Valley Guides specialize in
columbiarowingclub.com dam. These releases are why the rapids just above the zoo also can confluence, at the base of the fly fishing and float trips.
Columbia Canal and Riverfront temperature of the water on the be entertaining (Mill Race Rapids Gervais Street Bridge. The Am- Nature lovers: View a bald
Park. Park rangers from the citys Saluda is usually cooler between have been rated Class IV for phitheater hosts live music, such eagles nest along the Saluda
Parks and Recreation Depart- 65 and 75 degrees the perfect whitewater by American White- as the Rhythm on the River con- near the confluence, find spec-
ment patrol the paved trail that home for trout and striped bass. water). Be careful, though. Along cert series, and is a great place to tacular blooming spider lilies
meanders along the Columba this portion of the Saluda are sit and watch the people and the among the rocky islands in the
Canal for 212 miles. When the ALONG THE WAY monitors tracking the water levels river drift by. The Riverwalk Saluda and lower Broad, and
Rocky Shoals spider lilies are in Saluda Shoals Park. This 400- in the river. Alarms sound when starts at Riverside Drive, passes watch out for the alligators.
bloom, take a kayak tour with the acre park features paved and fast, high rising water is detected under the Gervais and Blossom Contact Riverkeeper Stangler:
rangers or let the rangers walk unpaved trails for hiking, biking after a release upstream from the street bridges before connecting congareeriverkeeper.org
you through the history of the and horseback riding; a public Lake Murray dam. Anyone in the to the Cayce Riverwalk at its SUSAN ARDIS
SUNDAY JULY 23 2017 THE STATE..................................................................................................... 29D
end of fiscal year 2016. unexpectedly in May. Two ele- 60,000 trash bags. Avacyn Driggers plays in the foam pit during Boo at the Zoo. Tickets
During his tenure, he helped phants, Robin and Bell, remain. STAFF REPORTS for the 11-night Halloween event go on sale Sept. 1.
30D ...........................................................................................................THE STATE SUNDAY JULY 23 2017
C
olumbia is rich with baseball
viewing opportunities residents
can watch baseball for nearly
eight months of the year.
COLUMBIA FIREFLIES
SPIRIT COMMUNICATIONS PARK
Professional baseball returned to the Capital City
in 2016, with the Fireflies playing at Spirit Commu-
nications Park and their second season was even
bigger, with Heisman trophy winner Tim Tebow
playing for the New York Mets Class A team in the
South Atlantic Leauge.
But the Tebow hype was short-lived; he was pro-
moted to the Class A-Advanced St. Lucie Mets of
the Florida State League at the end of June.
Also in 2017, the Fireflies unveiled their own beer
in collaboration with River Rat Brewery, a Healthy
Choices Grab & Go Cart, and a Mist Zone where hot
fans can cool off. The team hosted the South Atlantic
League All-Star Game and Home Run Derby and
welcomed its first local player, Gene Cone, who grad-
uated from Spring Valley High School.
On deck for the 2018 season are 16 large fans in
the concourse and a resurfaced concourse floor.
Gamecock fans play Bingo during the game, trying Fans and friends watch a Columbia Fireflies game on a Wag-Along Wednesday at Spirit Communications Park.
to win a gift certificate to a Homegrown Hospitality
restaurant. They cheer for a 12th strikeout for a
Chick-fil-A sandwich. They pose for photos with
Cocky, the NCAA national championship trophies or
the seats from the famed Rosenblatt Stadium, where
USC won the last national championship played be-
fore the stadium was demolished.
the Blowie Snowie. The Blowfishs eclipse-themed GERRY MELENDEZ file photo
STAFF REPORTS jerseys will be auctioned off. Julia Liddle watches a baseball game with Cocky at Carolina Stadium.
SUNDAY JULY 23 2017 THE STATE..................................................................................................... 31D
32D ...........................................................................................................THE STATE SUNDAY JULY 23 2017