It’s still summertime by the calendar, it’s hot and humid and it’s not past Labor Day! But local schools opened their doors on Tuesday, Aug. 4.. Your school supplies may be purchased this weekend!

Following is information regarding this South Carolina tax-free opportunity:

South Carolina’s tax-free weekend runs from Friday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 9. During this 72-hour event, shoppers can buy eligible items like clothing, footwear, school supplies, computers and select bed and bath items without paying state or local sales tax, both in-store and online.

Eligible items include:

Clothing and shoes: all apparel accessories and footwear.

School supplies: Items used for school assignments (notebooks, pencils, backpacks, etc.)

Electronics: Computers, printers, printer supplies and computer software.

Bed and bath: Select bed sheets, comforters, pillows, towels and shower curtains.

Shopping rules:

Timing: The event starts at 12:01 a.m. on Friday and runs through Sunday night.

Retailers: All stores selling eligible goods in South Carolina must participate.

Online orders: Purchases made online from eligible retailers during the weekend also qualify for the tax exemption.

The first day of school for students in Lexington County School District One for the 2026-27 academic year is Tuesday, Aug. 4.

Grades covered: The Aug. 4 start date applies to students in grades 1 through 12.

Early/staggered schedules: Kindergarten (5K) and 4K programs follow a separate staggered schedule.

Teacher workdays: Staff members return ahead of students, with teacher workdays running from July 27 through Aug. 3.

 Find that perfect backpack for the new school year!

Ready to go back to the theater? Well, here’s your chance! Everybody loves “The Music Man”!

Village Square Theater: “The Music Man Senior” runs Aug. 14-16.

Based on Meredith Willson's six-time-Tony-Award-winning musical, “The Music Man Senior” features some of musical theater’s most iconic songs and a story filled with wit, warmth and good, old-fashioned romance. “The Music Man Sr.” is family entertainment at its best — a bold, brassy show that will have the whole town atwitter! All performers are ages 55+.

Master showman Harold Hill is in town and he’s got “76 trombones” in tow. Can upright, uptight Marian, the town librarian, resist his powerful allure? The story follows fast-talking traveling salesman Harold Hill as he cons the people of River City, Iowa, into buying instruments and uniforms for a boys' band he vows to organize. The catch? He doesn't know a trombone from a treble clef. His plans to skip town with the cash are foiled when he falls for Marian, whose belief in Harold’s power just might help him succeed in the end in spite of himself. The show is directed by David LaTorre with musical direction by Wendi Humphries. Tickets went on sale Monday, July 27. Tickets are $18 for adults and $16 for seniors (65+), military, students and youth.

Contact Village Square Theater at villagesquaretheatre@villagesquaretheatre.ccsend.com.

Also remember: The Shepherd’s Center of Lexington presents its mystery theater production at 1 p.m. this Friday, Aug. 7, at Lexington Methodist Church. Save the date, shepherd@sclex.org.

Join us for a day of fun, sleuthing and refreshments! Pull out those poodle skirts and black leather jackets for a fun time at the Doo Wop Diner! Be there or be square. Come help solve this ongoing mystery!

Organizers are busy planning their new Fall Adventures in Learning Session beginning Thursday, Sept. 24. Be sure and sign up!

Attention, Gamecock fans! Miss Cocky Boutique, which specializes in University of South Carolina –licensed clothing and Southern fashion, plans to open its third storefront location in Lexington.

 In mid-August, the boutique will open its doors at 1812 Augusta Highway in Lexington’s Hope Plaza, according to a company news release. Miss Cocky Boutique currently operates stores in Columbia and Chapin.

Our local Chronicle editor, Bryn Eddy, recently announced that she is departing to dedicate more time to her graduate studies and position teaching journalism writing at the University of South Carolina.

She has introduced the new editor, Corey Friedman, corey@lexingtonchronicle.com. He attended the Chamber Morning Mix, of which the Chronicle was sponsor, on Friday, July 31.

Condolences are extended to the family of Master Deputy Jillian Hope Olson, who tragically lost her life during diving training at Lake Murray.

Mission Lexington: On Monday, Aug. 17, the Mission Store is celebrating 45 years of serving our community. Thank you for being part of the story and supporting the group’s mission. The store is having an anniversary sale with special deals for a special day! There will also be an ice cream truck from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Ted Podewil, a member of American Legion Post 7, reports:

“The CSRA Honor Flight.org will be conducting an Honor Flight on Sept. 12, honoring all World War II, Korea and Vietnam-era veterans. The flight will depart from the Columbia Metro Airport. Those who wish to fly must register on the main website: www.csrahonorflight.org. Volunteers can also register there. The public is invited to attend and participate in the main ceremony commencing on the evening of the flight's return to Columbia Metro Airport (at 7 p.m.) and are encouraged to bring patriotic signs and flags welcoming the veterans. Big band music and a dancing demonstration will add to the excitement! Let’s show these veterans the honor that many of them never received. For further information, contact admin@csrahonorflight.org. Hope to see you all there!”

The Lexington Chamber Awards & Annual Meeting will be held Wednesday, Aug. 26, from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The keynote speaker will be W. Keller Kissam, CEO of Dominion Energy. It will take place at the DoubleTree by Hilton at 2100 Bush River Road, Columbia.

Save the date for Mission Lexington’s Groundbreaking on Aug. 28.

Next week: A report on the fabulous family vacation Linda and David Griffith enjoyed recently in Hawaii. Aloha!