November 2024 Council Highlights

• November is officially National Adoption Month, and we’re celebrating the incredible impact of adoption on our community! Join us in spreading awareness about adoption.
  • “National Adoption Month serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of adoption in providing children with the love, stability, and opportunities they deserve.
  • If you want to learn more about how you can get involved or support local adoption efforts, please visit Sumter’s Department of Social Services Office, located at 105 N. Magnolia Street or call (803) 773-5531.
• Have you seen the new side-loading garbage trucks in your neighborhood? The City of Sumter Sanitation Department has new side-loading garbage trucks currently running on Wednesdays and Fridays. These trucks will allow garbage to be picked up during regular hours even while short-staffed. For more information, you can also visit our website at gov. For our new trucks, your roll cart:
  • Should be placed at least 3 feet from the mailbox or any obstruction.
  • Should be placed with arrows facing the street.
  • Should be placed at most 2 feet from the curb.
  • Should not be blocked by vehicles.
  • Should not have contents that extend above the rim of the container.
  • Should have the lid closed for service.
• 2024 Sumter Keepsake ornaments are here! This year's ornament features the Tuskegee Airmen Monument, which is located at Veterans Park, just outside the Sumter Gate at Shaw Air Force Base. Ornaments can be purchased at the Sumter Visitors Centeror at Simpson's Hardware.
  • The Tuskegee Airmen Monument honors the nation’s first Black fighter pilots, who served during WWII and became one of the most respected fighter groups. Their achievements were crucial to the Army Air Force’s operations in Europe and paved the way for full military integration, laying the foundation for the Civil Rights Movement. Four of these aviators— Willie Ashley, Jr., Leroy Bowman, Philip Rembert, and Emmett Rice—had ties to the Sumter community.
• City of Sumter offices will be closed on Thursday, November 28 and Friday, November 29 for the Thanksgiving holiday.
• The next community-wide Love Where You Live Community pick-up is scheduled for Saturday, December 14. You and your team can pick up at any date or time, and you do not have to wait until our scheduled days. We support volunteers by providing free supplies and trash bag pick-up service. If you would like to volunteer to help, please fill out our Volunteer Form at sumtersc.gov/litter.
  • Reminding all art students K-12 in Sumter, both public and private schools. The 2025 litter poster contest is still open. Information has been given to all schools, so check with your teachers. Top prize is $100 for three winners! The deadline is today, November 20, with winners unveiled in January.
• All aboard The Polar Express...coming Thursday, December 5! This beloved movie event has become a cherished holiday tradition in our Sumter community, bringing families together for a magical night of holiday cheer. Please join us for:
  • PJs are encouraged but not required
  • Santa Letter Writing Station
  • Hot Cocoa & Cookies
  • Picture Station on the Stage
• Tickets: $15 for adults | $10 for kids and are available online at sumteroperahouse.com
• Fantasy of Lights Opening Ceremony will be held on Sunday, December 1 at 6 PM. The ceremony will be held on the lawn beside the Visitors Center, 822 W. Liberty Street. Admission to the Fantasy of Lights and Santa’s Village are FREE. The light display will be open nightly from December 1 to 31. Sunday - Thursday until 9 PM, Fridays & Saturdays until 10 PM.
  • Santa's Village will be open from 6-8 PM on the following days:
    • Friday, December 6
    • Saturday, December 7
    • Friday, December 13
    • Saturday, December 14
    • Friday, December 20
    • Saturday, December 21
  • Food trucks, hot chocolate, Photos with Santa, letters to Santa, holiday entertainment, and more during Santa’s Village at the Heath Pavilion.
• Save the date for the 2025 Iris Festival. The new date is May 16-18, 2025. It will not be held on Memorial Day weekend as it has in years past -- it’s a new weekend, but it's the same great event. An annual tradition in Sumter, since 1940! We encourage the entire Sumter community to get involved. Sponsorships are available; volunteers are needed. Visit org for more info.

We invite you to visit and attend a regular City Council meeting, our meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of each month. The next meeting is Tuesday, December 3rd at 1 PM and Tuesday, December  17th at 5:30 PM. If you can’t make a meeting, public comments may also be submitted online anytime through our website at sumtersc.gov/council/meetings, or city residents can contact the Mayor or their Council representative any time before any meeting to discuss a concern or idea.