Lexington County was impacted last week by Hurricane Ian after the storm made landfall as a Category 1 storm near Georgetown Sept. 30, but the effects were less severe than in other parts of inland South Carolina.

The county reported power outages, and authorities in both Irmo and Lexington reported responding to downed trees, including one that fell on a moving car in Irmo.

Rainfall was lower in Lexington County than in some other areas of the Midlands at between about one and 2.5 inches, according to a National Weather Service list of two-day rain totals in the state as a result of Ian. Parts of Columbia saw between two and nearly five inches.

Local Tourism Agency to Host State Parks Conference

The Capital City/Lake Murray Country Regional Tourism Board will host parks directors from throughout the region later this month.

Partnering with S.C. State Parks, it will host the annual conference for the Association of Southeastern State Parks Directors at the Columbia DoubleTree, with the conference set to “kick off the conference with a unique glimpse of the region’s most valuable natural assets,” according to a press release.

“The State Park Directors will explore the region throughout the week by visiting Savage Craft Brewery, Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden, and The South Carolina State House to name a few,” the release states. “The conference concludes with a sunset cruise on Lake Murray and a dinner at the prestigious Stewart Landing development by American Land Holdings in Newberry County.”

Snowball Festival Details

The Town of Lexington has announced dates for the various parts of its annual Snowball Festival, which will go from Dec. 1 to 4 this year.

The long weekend of events kicks off with a Christmas Craft Fair Thursday, Dec. 1, at the Icehouse Amphitheater Pavilion, with the market (which promises fresh produce, unique gifts, local vendors, food and more) continuing Dec. 2.

Dec. 2 will also feature the Christmas Carolighting Ceremony, during which carols are sung and the town Christmas tree is lit, and a movie, “The Polar Express,” screening in the amphitheater afterward.

Dec. 3 brings a free carnival at the amphitheater (featuring small carnival rides, face painting, balloon artists, Santa visits and more) and another film screening, this time the Will Ferrell comedy “Elf.”

The festival culminates Dec. 4 with the traditional Snowball Parade, with a variety of floats making their way through downtown Lexington.

Check for updates on the events at facebook.com/townoflexingtonsc.