A beach music party, vintage cars, a family bike ride, fireworks, music, re-enactors, late-night star gazing and much more will add to the South Carolina State Museum’s 20th anniversary celebration Aug. 16 - 17 as it presents a free day of family fun for 20 big hours!
Kicking off Saturday with a 9 a.m. spectacular opening ceremony featuring South Carolina personalities, the 20th Anniversary Birthday Bash will provide fun, entertainment and enriching experiences for 20 hours, until 5 a.m. Sunday morning with something for everyone, and will celebrate the diverse culture we have in South Carolina.
“It’s our birthday, but we’re giving all South Carolinians the present,” said State Museum Executive Director Willie Calloway.
A family fun bike ride and walk will actually precede the opening ceremony at 8:30 a.m., and the ceremony will be followed with all-day activities such as amusement rides, solar observing through filtered telescopes, hayrides, military re-enactors from the Palmetto Battalion, food concessions and vintage cars from the Palmetto A’s Club, as well as a NASCAR automobile.
But that’s just for starters. Four bands will perform throughout the day in a variety of styles from steel drums to mariachi; living historian Ed Beardsley will perform his re-enactment of President Woodrow Wilson; Civil War enthusiast Dan Dowdey will give a presentation about the war, including the Confederate submarine H.L.Hunley, the world’s first submarine to sink an enemy ship in combat; and snake expert Jim Knight will talk about these mysterious reptiles with live snakes.
“Kids will enjoy lots of activities such as balloon art from magician/balloon man Nick Propst, scavenger hunts, art activities and crafts, and face painting,” said Director of Education and Programs Meika Samuel. “Plus, we’ll have appearances by South Carolina’s new literary mascot Schmooney (you’ve got to see it to believe it!), Carowinds mascots Dora the Explorer and Blue the ‘Blue’s Clues’ dog, and marionettes from the Columbia Marionette Theatre.”
More family fun includes board games and the delightful movie “Night at the Museum.”
Fireworks will light the sky just before a 9 p.m. Beach Music Night kicks off with five hours of great Carolina beach music from crowd pleasers such as Billy Scott and the Prophets, the Sensational Epics and the Flashbacks, with special guests Clifford Curry, Caesar, Clay Brown and many more.
Stargazing and planet discussions will take participants into the wee hours of Sunday morning with Science Director Tom Falvey and members of the Midlands Astronomy Club.
The event comes at a good time, as well, says Samuel. “With gas prices up, many families are staying closer to home to enjoy time together, and the central location of the State Museum, the plethora of entertaining and engaging activities and the free admission add up to the right event at the right time.
“Bring the family and friends and don’t miss this incredible anniversary celebration!”
For more information on the State Museum’s 20-Hour Birthday Bash, contact Meika Samuel at (803) 898-4989 or visit www.southcarolinastatemuseum.org.
A full day – 20 hours’ worth! – of music, food, rides, re-enactors, tours, a beach music concert and much more will be the South Carolina State Museum’s gift to the state Aug. 16 as it presents its “20-Hour Birthday Bash” to commemorate its 20th anniversary. From 9 a.m. Saturday to 5 a.m. Sunday, it’s fun for whole family – and all admission and programs are FREE!
Illustration by Majken Blackwell/S.C. State Museum