Columbia's summer events include nonprofit benefits, concerts, masquerades and more

Jay Powell, The Daily Herald
·4 min read
Eric Previti as Uncle Sam leads the annual Riverwalk bike and wagon parade on Monday, July 4, 2022.
Eric Previti as Uncle Sam leads the annual Riverwalk bike and wagon parade on Monday, July 4, 2022.

As we make our way toward the halfway mark in the 2023 summer season, Columbia and Maury County continues its summer traditions by offering community events, fireworks and other holiday celebrations.

The next round of fun events to experience this summer bring a mix of music, sports, parades, classic cars and more, with many of them also benefiting local small businesses, nonprofits and ministry groups.

Graymere Country Club will kick off its third annual Charity Golf Tournament on Monday to benefit aMuse'um Children's Museum.
Graymere Country Club will kick off its third annual Charity Golf Tournament on Monday to benefit aMuse'um Children's Museum.

Kicking off activities this week will be the third annual Graymere Country Club Charity Golf Tournament, which tees off starting at 8 a.m. Monday. The annual tournament will benefit aMuse'um Children's Museum. Graymere is located at 2100 Country Club Lane.

The Mulehouse will host An Evening of Hope concert Tuesday to benefit Room in The Inn.
The Mulehouse will host An Evening of Hope concert Tuesday to benefit Room in The Inn.

Stop by The Mulehouse the following day for its An Evening of Hope benefit concert, which will take place starting at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the 812 S. High St. venue. The show's lineup will feature performances by Brandon Heath, Riley Clemmons, Leanna Crawford and Apollo Ltd. with special guest Al Andrews.

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An Evening of Hope will also feature a silent auction starting at 5:30 p.m. All proceeds will benefit Room in The Inn ministry to provide shelter and residences to displaced families and the local homeless. Tickets are $35 and can be purchased at www.TheMulehouse.com.

A Night of Hope fundraiser for Room in the Inn Columbia, a program that helps those experiencing homelessness get back on their feet, will be held at the Mulehouse Tuesday. "Housemother" for Room in the Inn, Betty Long, 70, shows one of 10 rooms available for those experiencing homelessness at one of Columbia's only temporary homeless refuges, Columbia Inn. Long and her grandson needed a place to stay five years ago, and now she volunteers for the organization that started in 2016 at Westminster Presbyterian Church.

More: 'Peace of mind': Ministry Room in the Inn builds better future for homeless in Columbia

In addition, The Mulehouse has a full schedule of upcoming concerts and events, including a "non-disco" tribute to the music of the 1970s with Vinyl Radio on July 8. The Laurel Canyon Band will celebrate the music of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young on Thursday, July 13, followed by Journey tribute band Resurrection on Friday, July 14.

The Mulehouse's July lineup will round out with country music hitmaker Tracy Byrd on Saturday, July 22 and Beatles tribute Forever Abbey Road on Friday, July 28.

Columbia will host its annual Rotary 4th of July event at Maury County Park starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 1.
Columbia will host its annual Rotary 4th of July event at Maury County Park starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 1.

The city will celebrate Independence Day by hosting its annual Rotary Club 4th of July event at Maury County Park starting at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 1. The free event will kick off with a brief ceremony followed by a children's bike parade and a classic car show. Dogs are welcome to participate in the parade as well.

The Red, White & Blue Car Show will take place near the Rotary's 4th of July Parade at Maury County Park, and will run from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 1. The charity car show will benefit Columbia Counseling Ministries. Register your spot today at www.eventcreate.com/e/redwhitebluecarshow.

The Red, White & Blue Car Show will take place at Maury County Park during the Rotary Club's 4th of July event Saturday, July 1.
The Red, White & Blue Car Show will take place at Maury County Park during the Rotary Club's 4th of July event Saturday, July 1.

In Spring Hill, The Well Outreach food pantry will host its annual July 4th Run for Hunger at Summit High School, 2830 Twin Lakes Drive. The event, which begins at 7 a.m. Tuesday, July 4, will include a timed 5k, a "color foam" run and a children's bicycle parade. To register, visit www.July4thRun.ItsYourRace.com.

The summer isn't complete without visiting the downtown square for the festive monthly First Fridays, which is especially active during the summer months.

Shops will stay open late, live music will be featured throughout the square both inside and out. Food trucks will be parked for some good eating and local brewhouses and bars like Asgard, American Barrel, Grinder's Switch Winery or Taps Off Main will help wash it all down.

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Speaking of First Fridays live music, Chief Smiley Ricks & The C-Town Specials will have a monthly residency each month at Daniel's Barber Shop on The Square, while The Mulehouse will host its First Fridays After Dark in the venue's courtyard with music, drinks and tapas.

Following July's First Fridays, don your best masquerade mask for the Adult Masquerade Prom, which will be held at The Memorial Building, 308 W. 7th St., starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, July 8. Take a flashback to the past with a night of dancing and fun, including a red-carpet entrance, vendor booths, prize giveaways and the crowning of Prom King and Queen.

In August, head back to the Memorial Building for Muletown Mission Possible, a fundraiser for On Mission Motorsports featuring retro throwback band Rubiks Groove. On Mission Motorsports is a 501(c)3 that provides therapy to veterans by strapping them into off-road vehicles for racing and other group-focused activities. Tickets are $40 or $150 for parties of four and can be purchased at www.OnMissionMotorsports.org.

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: Summer events include nonprofit benefits, concerts, masquerades and more