It’s May, not for a day, but all month! And it’s busy already, because we had a hard time fitting it all in this week, which is a great problem to have.

The Florence Area Humane Society gets the party started tonight with its 15th Annual Bone-E-Fit that is a celebration that raises funds for homeless dogs and cats.

Also, stop by events associated with the 2023 SC Sports Classic that are scheduled through Saturday (West Florence High School track events dominate that day).

Not to be outdone Friday is the Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity with its annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta in Downtown Florence, a free event punctuated by live music, food & beverages, a kid zone, Chihuahua racing with prizes, and a Chihuahua costume contest with prizes and more.

On Friday AND Saturday is the grand opening for Aloha Kitchen located at the Pee Dee State Farmers Market, bringing with it flavorful hamburgers, chicken and much more.

Then Saturday, CARE House of the Pee Dee hosts the CAPES For Kids 5k/10k/Kids Fun Run with proceeds going to the before mentioned organization to combat child abuse. Notice a theme this week?

Also Saturday, Lake City hosts its 2nd annual Food Truck Rodeo Saturday with favorite food trucks and a day of comedians and concerts on The Village Green!

Saturday isn’t done yet, as the charitable Lighthouse Ministries features its Horses, Hats and Humanity event at the Victors outdoor patio, tied to the Kentucky Derby that will be piped into the event for all to enjoy.

Last but not least, also Saturday is National Free Comic Book Day, which is inspiring major events at Galactic-Comics and Legends Comics in Florence! KAPOW!

The following week, Darlington Raceway begins to gear up big for its spring race weekend, which includes another Track Laps for Charity Wednesday, which this time will benefit Shriner's Children (the charitable theme continues). Speaking of, check out our newest blog at visitflo.com on race weekend.

Also don’t forget our summer camp breakdown listed below. Spots are filling up!

Much more is below in our weekly CVB newsletter! 

{View as Webpage}

15th Annual Bone-E-Fit 🐾

Everyone loves a great party especially when it is for a good cause. Bring along your friends to join the fun for an absolutely “purr”fect evening tonight at Lawton-Chase House! The Florence Area Humane Society invites you to eat, drink and dance the night away at the 2023 Bone-E-Fit! This event will bring close to 600 of Florence’s animal-loving citizens together to help raise much-needed funds for the homeless dogs and cats in our community. Tickets may be purchased at First Reliance on W. Palmetto, Fisher’s Jewelers, Woofer’s, or on the FAHS website.

Cinco de Mayo 🪅

Join the Greater Florence Habitat For Humanity for its annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Friday in Downtown Florence. This fun event features live music, yummy food & beverages, a kid zone, Chihuahua racing with prizes, and a Chihuahua costume contest with prizes. Food & beverage tickets can be purchased at the Habitat ticket booth. This can be one way to give back to the community. Music will be provided by The Pizazz Band. This event is free! Proceeds from the event support their mission of providing shelter for families in need in Florence.

CAPES for Kids 🏃‍♂️

CARE House of the Pee Dee is hosting CAPES For Kids 5k/10k/Kids Fun Run on Saturday. Be a hero against child abuse and come dressed as your favorite superhero. All proceeds will be donated to the CARE House of the Pee Dee, in memory of a Carver student who lost her life due to child abuse, and will directly benefit abused children in our community.

Food Truck Rodeo 🎤

Lake City is hosting its 2nd annual Food Truck Rodeo Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Purchase meals from your favorite food trucks and while you are there, bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a day of concerts on The Village Green. The Cit-T-Soul Band will perform at noon, comedian Miguel Washington at 3 p.m. and Epic Proportions at 5 p.m.

Horses, Hats and Humanity 🏇

Lighthouse Ministries will host its Horses, Hats and Humanity event at the Victors outdoor patio Saturday. The event will be hosted on the day of the Kentucky Derby, with the race displayed for everyone. Mint juleps and Southern snacks will be provided and big hats are welcome. Tickets for the event are available here.

Track Laps for Charity 🏁

The Darlington Raceway has another Track Laps for Charity Wednesday before the weekend racing begins. Take your vehicle for three laps around the track "Too Tough to Tame" for just $20 between 6 to 8 p.m. Track Laps proceeds will benefit Shriner's Children through Darlington Shares, a donor-advised fund of The NASCAR Foundation. Click here to register.

Summer Camps 🤾🏿‍♂️

It's hard to believe summer is just around the corner! Click here for a detailed listing of the summer camps.

Music & Community Events

Weekly roundup 🎹🍔

Check out the live performances or community events in Florence County this week. 

Thursday, May 4

9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. - Community Resource Day at Florence County Library

12 to 6 p.m. - Lake City Farmers Market at East Main Green

3 p.m. - 2023 SC Sports Classic will be held in various locations (through Saturday)

6:30 p.m. - High Hill Hoopla no drop ride at High Hill Creek Bike & Run Park

7 p.m. - Open Mic Night at Lula's Coffee Co. 

7 p.m. - Music Bingo with DJ Strawberry Love at the Circle Fountain

7 p.m. - Karaoke with Scott Cantey at Green Frog Social House

10 p.m. - Live music featuring Kyle Dills at Dizzy Crab

Friday, May 5

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Grand Opening for Aloha Kitchen located at the Pee Dee State Farmers Market

11 a.m. to 10 p.m. - Cinco De Drinko at Local Motive Brewing

6 p.m. - Jarret Forrester will perform at Red Bone Alley

7 p.m. - Blade and Bull Axe Throwing Glow Throw at Seminar Brewing

7 p.m. - Live music at Southern Hops Brewing Company

10 p.m. - Live music featuring the Kevin Nichols Band at Dizzy Crab

Saturday, May 6

9 a.m. to 1 p.m. - City Center Farmers Market

9 a.m. to 7 p.m. - Free Comic Book Day at Galactic-Comics

10 a.m. to 5 p.m. - Grand Opening for Aloha Kitchen located at the Pee Dee State Farmers Market

10 a.m. to 6 p.m. - Free Comic Book Day at Legends Comics

10:30 a.m. - Gabby's Goat's Bend and Brew Goat Yoga at Local Motive Brewing

11 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Family Fun Day at Francis Marion Recreation Ball Field

11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. - Wild Weekend live animal presentation at Lynches River County Park

12 to 3 p.m. - Brunch and live music featuring Fritz Frye at Wholly Smokin' Downtown

2 p.m. - Yu-Gi-Oh! Saturday Play at Heroes Hideout

7 p.m. - Clarice and Friends will perform at Jazz on Dargan

7 p.m. - Live music at VFW Post 3181

7 p.m. - Blade and Bull Axe Throwing Glow Throw at Seminar Brewing

10 p.m. - Live music featuring Radio Source at Dizzy Crab

Sunday, May 7

12 to 3 p.m. - Brunch and live music featuring Scott Smith at Wholly Smokin' Downtown

2:30 p.m. - Pokemon Sunday League at Heroes Hideout

2 p.m. - Wild Weekend live animal presentation at Lynches River County Park

7 p.m. - Live music at VFW Post 3181

Tuesday, May 9

12 p.m. - Concepts of Project Management virtual workshop hosted by FMU Kelley Center for Economic Development

6 p.m. - Line Dance Class at Greenwood Baptist Church

7 p.m. - Trivia at Local Motive Brewing

7:30 p.m. - Musician's Night at Dizzy Crab

Wednesday, May 10

7 p.m. - Trivia at Seminar Brewing

Registration Information

• Registration is open for the City of Florence Youth Basketball League (ages 5-17).
• Moore Farms Botanical Garden offers a variety of educational classes, registration is open.
• Adult Tennis 101 class registration is open at the Dr. Eddie Floyd Florence Tennis Center.

Check out Florence's programs, parks and offers in the 2023 City of Florence Recreation Guide.

Art happenings this week 🎨

Thursday, May 4

8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. - Mother's Day Craft Pick Up at Barnes Street Activity Center (through May 12)

Saturday, May 6

7:30 p.m. - Lindy Hop/Swing Dance at Beth Israel Congregation Social Hall

Monday, May 8

9 a.m. - Opening Day of the Colleen Critcher exhibit "Want/Need" at the Doctor N. Lee Morris Gallery in the Florence County Library

Tuesday, May 9

5:45 p.m. - Growing Hobby's Macrame Plant Hanger workshop at Pee Dee State Farmers Market

7:30 p.m. - School of Dance Arts Recital at FMU Performing Arts Center (through May 12)

Local art exhibits 🖼️

The Dr. N. Lee Morris Gallery in the Florence County Library will feature Colleen Critcher in her exhibit "Want/Need". The exhibit opens Monday and will be on display through August 4.

The FCM Waters Gallery features Columbia-based artist Sean McGuinness in his Strange Beast exhibit. The exhibit will be on display through August 4.

The Florence County Museum's exhibit Legend: Francis Marion in the Pee Dee focuses on the military career, legend and legacy of General Francis Marion. The exhibit is on display through August 13.

The Florence County Museum has several exhibits to view. Kindred Spirit: the Personal Worlds of William H. Johnson is an exhibit that focuses on the artist's relations with the people and places in his life. The Florence County Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 2 to 5 p.m.

Local markets 🚜

Pee Dee State Farmers Market

Monday-Saturday

8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

City Center Farmers Market

Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Lake City Farmers Market

Thursday, 12 to 6 p.m.

Coming soon 📅

May 11 - Blood Drive at the Darlington Raceway

May 12-14 - Spring Race Weekend at the Darlington Raceway

May 12-14 - FLT's Children's Workshop will perform Madagascar, Jr. at Florence Little Theatre

May 13 - Splash Pad opens at Lynches River County Park (20% off season pass until May 12)

May 13 - Too Tough To Ride beginning at the Darlington Raceway

May 13 - Market in May at Moore Farms Botanical Garden

May 14 - Masterworks Choir's spring concert at the FMU Performing Arts Center

May 18 - Lake City Concert Series featuring the Plantation Singers at Moore Farms Botanical Garden

May 18-20 - Florence Greek Festival Drive Thru at Transfiguration Greek Orthodox Church

May 19-20 - Johnsonville Heritage Festival in Downtown Johnsonville

May 19-21 - 12th Annual Grateful Dog Festival at Sugar Magnolia Ranch in Timmonsville

May 20 - Family Movie Night: Lion King at Lucas Park

May 20 - Jam Fest at City Center Farmers Market

May 20-21 - FLT's Rising Stars will perform Legally Blonde Jr. at Florence Little Theatre

May 22 and 24 - Auditions for Disney's Lion King Jr. at Florence Little Theatre

May 25 - Florence Symphony Orchestra's "FSO Rocks 2023" at FMU Performing Arts Center

May 26 - Florence After Five featuring too MUCH SyLviA returns to Downtown Florence

May 29 - Run for the Heroes 5K, 10K at St. Anthony's Catholic Church

June 1 - Florence Flamingos Opening Night at Carolina Bank Field

Connect with us on Facebook

Holly Beaumier, Executive Director

Florence Convention & Visitors Bureau

843-664-0330 Email Website