The Soda City Market takes place every Saturday from 9am - 1pm in downtown Columbia, SC.
It has been a while since I have blogged this weekly event. Here is a summer peek.
A perfect place to enjoy a treat.
There are plenty of food trucks and vendors to choose from.
The Potato Guy also make beignets! I have yet to try them.
What did I indulge in? What was aptly named a Capresa Arepa.
My guess is this is not traditional Venezuelan or Colombian food, but what a great idea! It was delicious and healthy. Eventually we will attempt to create our own arepas at home.
Sorry for the partially eaten photo. The inside was difficult to see when it was whole.
All sorts of vendors line Main Street. The state symbol is prevalent in the local crafts
The market seems to be twice as large in the summer than it was during winter.
People certainly brave the heat here.
With so much stimulation, you don't notice the soaring morning temperatures.
Of course there is your fresh produce here too. South Carolina being the number 1 peach producer in the U.S., you see lots and lots of peaches right now.
Street performers are out and about. These guys were making funky music.
Dogs are incredibly well behaved and social here.
What would a market like this be without a fun balloon artist? A lot of little girls were walking around with pretty magic balloon wands.
I hope you enjoyed our market stroll!
If you go, the market takes place rain or shine every Saturday morning throughout the year, spanning up to 6 blocks on Main Street. On street parking is free on Saturdays.
Thank you for stopping by! ~Val
The Museum of Art in Columbia, SC is a great place to check out. Its collection is diverse and the overall size is perfect for being able to enjoy the museum in its entirety within a couple of hours.
I would recommend going on a Saturday morning during the Soda City Market when it is half price (only $5). Street parking is free at that time.
Of course I also recommend fueling up at a Market food truck first. I went for something sinful at The Belgium Waffle Truck.
The newly renovated museum courtyard is great for eating your goodies and/or people/dog watching.
Inside you can find ancient art dating back as far as the 2nd Century from Greece and Rome.
To modern sculptures that leave me a little uncomfortable.
Beauties that I enjoy like Autumn Landscape (1835) by Thomas Doughty.
Or Still Life (c. 1850) by Severin Roesen.
Modern art is really not my thing but it is fun, particularly this gallery with quirky floor art and a Warhol piece.
This colorful happy piece catches my eye. It is Diane's Vase (1998) by Janet Fish.
Here is Diana the Huntress, the Roman goddess of the moon, the hunt and wild animals.
This wedding chest (cassone) was carved c. 1550 by an unknown artisan in Italy. The stunning carvings are biblical scenes.
Jackson Pollack's Mural (1943) is currently on display at the museum. The piece is massive in size so here I am showing it vastness.
Not typically a style that I am into but I do enjoy Head (c. 1929) by Alfred Henry Maurer.
This beautiful piece is Sunbath (1924) by Richard Edward Miller, American. Impressionistic, but not too much so.
I will leave you with a fun one, Turistas by Lorenzo Homar, Puerto Rican.
I hope you enjoyed this sampling from the museum. It really has a little bit of everything to enjoy.
If you go:
1515 Main Street
Columbia, SC
open 10am - 5pm daily (closed Mondays)
General admission is $10. Photography is encouraged to share your experience.
Thank you for stopping by! ~Val
The Soda City Market takes place every Saturday, year round from 9am - 1pm in Columbia, SC.
Why is Columbia called Soda City?
The story goes that Cola is the city's nickname. Over time this evolved into Soda City instead of Cola City.
It has fun food trucks. Food vendors here are required to make it or grow it. Over 12 nationalities are represented for variety.
Local crafters show their goodies.
It is super crowded on a beautiful day where parts of it you can't stop walking or you will get trampled over.
There is live music and beer because who doesn't want loud music and a brewski in the morning?
I imagine the university students enjoy coming here for hangover food.
It is a great place for well behaved canines of all sizes to get attention.
It is the south so there has to be a smoker somewhere. How creative is this bus contraption?
It is an experience.
The longest line goes to this vendor, Venezuela in 1 Bite.
I have to do some research on Venezuelan food before giving it a try. Considering the line I am certain it is delicious!
Well I hope you enjoyed this walk through the Soda City Market.
If you are near and want to check it out, this sets up between 1300 - 1500 Main Street. Much larger than we expected! This market averages 150 vendors each week.
Thank you for stopping by! ~Val
