Inside Five Points: St. Pat's, Community, & What's Next with Heather McDonald

Five Points isn’t just a district in Columbia, it’s a feeling.

In this episode of The Soda Citizen Podcast, we sit down with Heather McDonald, Executive Director of the Five Points Association, to talk about what makes Columbia’s original neighborhood so special and why it continues to evolve.

From brunch crawls and record shops to family-friendly events and beautification efforts, Heather shares what’s changed in the last few years, what’s coming next, and how Five Points is experiencing its own renaissance.

We also dive into:

• The real story behind St. Pat’s in Five Points (and how big it actually is)
• Where festival proceeds go and how they support the community
• The Yellow Shirts ambassador program and safety initiatives
• Misconceptions about Five Points being “just for college kids”
• Events like JerryFest, Neon Joy, and Trick-or-Treat in Five Points
• What people moving to Columbia should know about the city’s culture and districts

If you’ve lived here your whole life, you’ll love the nostalgia.
 If you’re new to Columbia (or considering a move), this episode gives you a behind-the-scenes look at one of the city’s most iconic neighborhoods.

Because at the end of the day, people don’t just want a house — they want a place people love to live.

Learn more about Five Points and upcoming events:
https://fivepointscolumbia.com/