Things to do: Memorial Day events, Wagner Strawberry Festival, car shows and movie nights

Jay Powell, Columbia Daily Herald
U.S. Flags surround the statue of President James K. Polk during the Polk Memorial Gardens' 37th annual Memorial Day service.
U.S. Flags surround the statue of President James K. Polk during the Polk Memorial Gardens' 37th annual Memorial Day service.

Celebrate this Memorial Day weekend with a longstanding Columbia tradition honoring its fallen veterans, strawberries in Spring Hill, car shows and movies in Mt. Pleasant.

1. Memorial Day at Polk Memorial with Operation Song

With the weekend rolling into Monday's Memorial Day holiday, Polk Memorial Gardens will once again celebrate with its annual remembrance ceremony.

The Memorial Day at Polk Memorial Gardens event begins at 10 a.m. Monday at the gazebo located on the Polk Memorial grounds, 6465 Trotwood Ave.

This year's event, which is nearing its 40th year, always features highlights such as military songs, recognizing each U.S. Military branch, an honorary flag-folding ceremony for a fallen vet, as well as a keynote speaker.

Polk Memorial Gardens will once again host its annual Memorial Day ceremony Monday, partnering with Operation Song CEO Jon Futi.
Polk Memorial Gardens will once again host its annual Memorial Day ceremony Monday, partnering with Operation Song CEO Jon Futi.

For 2024, Polk Memorial wanted to feature not only a great speaker, but one who represents a greater organization helping vets all around the world through music and songwriting.

Operation Song are partnering this year, a Nashville nonprofit which allows veterans and active soldiers to tell their stories using the process of songwriting. Since its foundation in 2012, more than 1,600 songs have been produced through the project.

Operation Song CEO and U.S. Army vet Jon Foti will be the ceremony's keynote.

2. Wagner Strawberry Festival in Spring Hill

Wagner Berry Farm in Spring Hill will host its second annual Strawberry Festival this Saturday.
Wagner Berry Farm in Spring Hill will host its second annual Strawberry Festival this Saturday.

As the springtime carries on into summer, it's the season for harvesting fresh fruit, and Wagner Berry Farm is the place to go this weekend.

The farm, located at 4923 Ollie Chunn Rd., will host its second annual Strawberry Festival from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.

The farm will have pre-picked strawberries available at the event. No self-picking will be allowed this weekend.

Tickets are $10 and are available at www.WagnerBerry.com/events.

3. Through the Centuries Car Show

Columbia Crysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat will host its Through The Decades Car Show starting at 4 p.m. Friday.
Columbia Crysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat will host its Through The Decades Car Show starting at 4 p.m. Friday.

Columbia classic car lovers will have yet another exciting show to visit this weekend.

Columbia Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fiat, 106 S. James M. Campbell Blvd., will host its "Through the Centuries Car Show" starting at 4 p.m. Friday.

In addition to classic cars and vintage vehicles to browse and admire, the car show will also feature live music, food trucks and more.

Prizes will also be awarded for Best Mopar, Best Jeep, People's Choice and Best Custom Truck.

The event is also free to attend and will run until 7 p.m.

4. 'Leo' Movie Night on the Mt. Pleasant Square

Mt. Pleasant Parks & Recreation invites visitors to Movie Night on The Square starting at 8 p.m. Saturday on the downtown Mt. Pleasant square featuring the 2023 animated film "Leo."
Mt. Pleasant Parks & Recreation invites visitors to Movie Night on The Square starting at 8 p.m. Saturday on the downtown Mt. Pleasant square featuring the 2023 animated film "Leo."

Going to the movies is always a family fun weekend tradition, especially when you can gather outdoors with the community.

Mt. Pleasant Parks & Recreation invites residents to load up on popcorn and "laugh their scales off" with the 2023 animated film "Leo" this Saturday on the downtown Mt. Pleasant Square, 100 Public Square.

The film, starring comedic icons Adam Sandler, Bill Burr, Jason Alexander, Cecily Strong and Rob Schneider, follows a 74-year-old lizard (Sandler) who escapes from a classroom terrarium with his turtle friend, Squirtle (Burr), longing for a new life in the wild.

Movie Night on the Square is free to attend and will begin at 8 p.m. Saturday. Guests are advised to bring chairs and blankets for seating.

5. Live entertainment

The Wentzel BrothersBand, along with SouthMargin, will perform at Asgard Brewing Co. & Taproom, 104 E. 5th St., starting at 6:30 p.m. Friday.

TheDefLeprechaunBand will perform at McCreary's Irish Pub & Eatery, 814 S. Main St., starting at 7 p.m. Friday.

CassieJoy will perform at August Sage, located in The Factory at Columbia at 101 N. James M. Campbell Blvd., starting at 10 a.m. Saturday.

BobbyCoverston will perform at August Sage, located in The Factory at Columbia at 101 N. James M. Campbell Blvd., starting at 5:30 p.m. Friday.

Johnny Jameson and The Empty Pints will perform at McCreary's Irish Pub & Eatery, 814 S. Main St., starting at 7 p.m. Saturday.

The Khris Glaring Band will perform at The Tilted Mule, 102 Depot St., starting at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Jay Powell
Jay Powell

Jay Powell is a general reporter for The Daily Herald. Get up-to-date news in your inbox by subscribing to The Daily Herald newsletter at www.ColumbiaDailyHerald.com.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Things to do: Memorial Day, strawberries, car shows and movie nights

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