There is going to be a big celebration in West Columbia. The City of West Columbia invites you to the 5th Annual Fall Back Fest. It will take place from 5:30 p.m. until 9:30 p.m. Friday (Nov. 5)  in the 100 Block of State Street. 

“I’m looking forward to the Fall Back Fest,” said West Columbia Mayor Tem Miles.  “Our COVID numbers are down and we’re hoping people will want to get back out and enjoy socializing.” 

State Street, beginning at Court Avenue and ending at Spring Street, will be closed from 1 p.m. until 11 p.m. and Center Street beginning at State Street and at Shuler Street will be closed from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m.

There is free public parking too, at: the Brookland Public Parking Garage – 310 Court Avenue; the Interactive Art Park – 425 Meeting Street; Carraway Park at the Riverwalk – 212 Hudson Street; Capitol Square Parking Lot – 483 Sunset Boulevard (Please use appropriate crosswalks on Meeting Street.)

Fall Back Fest will feature live music from crowd-favorite Tokyo Joe. The band is scheduled to take the stage from 7:30 until 9:30. Going Commando wll play from 5:30 until 7 p.m. “We’re having wonderful bands,” said Miles. “Tokyo Joe is one of the best bands in this region. They play a lot of the songs you love to hear.”

In addition to the music, the Meeting Street Artisan Market will be open for a special night edition to kick off the holiday shopping season. And businesses on State Street will have specials for the event in conjunction with the November State Street Art Crawl. 

Jay White is the owner of The Warehouse at 312 State St. It is a consignment shop that buys and sells furniture, lighting, home décor, vintage items, antiques, artwork, and more. The Warehouse has a large variety of salvaged architecture, repurposed items, and items that need a creative touch.

“I believe people are ready to get out and enjoy themselves,” said White.  The Warehouse will set up in their parking lot and team with the Rob Shaw Gallery with refreshments and cocktails for visitors. Local artists will be selling their art in the parking lot, too. White also said there is free parking behind the Warehouse and 40-to-50 more free parking spots in the River District Church parking lot. “I expect a big crowd because we’re going to have great bands,” White said.

Greg Bickley is the leader of Tokyo Joe. He said he’s looking forward to the Fall Back Fest, too. “We’re anticipating a good show Friday,” Bickley said. “People have been responding well to us since things are opening back up. Friday, we will let the crowd dictate which songs we do. We don’t plan a playlist ahead of time. But we really want to put on a good show for West Columbia and the Fall Back Fest.”

The left column is a list of businesses open for Fall Back Fest and on the right is a list Artesian Market Vendors

Live Mural Art left column and Food and Beverages right column

Enjoy responsibly and call an Please use the UBER/LYFT pickup area at the West Columbia Interactive Art Park located at 425 Meeting Street. We look forward to having you back next year.

Uber/Lyft Code: https://r.uber.com/rYwijEbAYjO