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Annual Festivals & Events
For more on the following annual festivals & events, visit: TBredCountry.org
February
Aiken Antique Show, the first weekend in February at Aiken Center for the Arts. 803.641.9094. This show offers a unique opportunity to view and purchase fine antique furnishings represented by more than 20 specialized dealers from across the nation. aikencenterforthearts.org Battle of Aiken, the weekend in February after President’s Day at Confederate Park near Aiken. 803.642.2500. History comes alive with 20 cannons, 100 cavalry horses and 1,000 living history experts. This reenactment brings to life the Battle of Aiken which occurred February 11 and 12, 1865 and was the last victory for the Confederacy. Also featured are concessions and settlers selling goods comparable to the time in history of the Battle. battleofaiken.com Memorial Illumination, held at Battle of Rivers Bridge State Historic Site. 803.683.0239 To honor the sacrifices of those who fought in the Battle of Rivers Bridge, a commemorative program is held along with a luminary display in February, the anniversary of the battle.
southcarolinaparks.com/rivers-bridge March
Joye in Aiken, a special week long festival held in Aiken with numerous free or low-cost performances around town that are open to the public. For over ten years, this festival has brought world-class actors, dancers and musicians into our neighborhoods to bring the excitement of learning and the pleasure of artistic discovery to our students.
joyeinaiken.com
AgamaCon, CSRA’s homegrown convention featuring art, gaming, anime, cosplay, sci-fi, fantasy and more. Multi-genre pop culture convention for all ages with vendors and panels all weekend long. Spring Herb Fest at Little Red Barn, held the third Saturday in March. 803.541.7900. Sponsored by the gallery and the Barnwell County Herb Club. Aiken Triple Crown, three successive weekends in March/April. The first event is the Trials where Thoroughbreds compete in flat racing -
aikentrainingtrack.com/events
The second event is the Steeplechase with horses jumping barriers -
aikensteeplechase.com
The third event is Pacers & Polo - usca.edu/events/pacers-and-polo Proceeds aid local charities.
April
Aiken Horse Show, held in Hitchcock Woods. 803.642.0528. Established in 1916, this prestigious show takes place where it has for the last 101 years. aikenhorseshow.org Historic Beech Island Tour, Beech Island Historical Society. 803.827.3600. Visit historic homes, barns and cemeteries around Beech Island. beechislandhistoricalsociety.com
Colonial Times: Under the Crown and
Trades Fair, held at Living History Park in North Augusta. 803.279.7560. Weekend long festival. Reenactors give the public a glimpse of life in the 1750s with a focus on arts and crafts. colonialtimes.us Blackville Music & Arts Festival, held on Main St in Blackville. This festival serves as a way to raise funds for the music and art programs in public schools and scholarships to send aspiring artists to college. bmafestival.com
May
Aiken Charity Horse Show, held at the Aiken Horse Park. 803.270.6190. The shows provide old-fashioned venues with character and integrity, held on an intimate field in the corner of the celebrated Horse District, where riders from the youngest lead line toddlers to the strongest Grand Prix competitors can compete on the best quality surfaces.
aikenhorsepark.org
Savannah River Classic, 803.584.7363. Held on the banks of the Savannah River in Allendale. The tournament was created to celebrate diversity in the Savannah River. All proceeds are used to fund river based projects. lowersavannahriveralliance.org
July
The Palmetto Amateur, 803.649.2951. Worldwide collegiate players compete at the historic Palmetto Golf Club in Aiken annually since 1976. palmettoamateur.net Swallow-Tailed Kite Outing, held in Allendale. Birders as well as non-birders, photographers and naturalists will have the opportunity to witness this amazing aerial display, as dozens of Swallow-tailed Kites, one of the most elegant birds of the Americas, forage on insects in a longstanding hot spot in rural Allendale County.
lowersavannahriveralliance.org
Nike Peach Jam, held at the Riverview Park Activities Center. 803.441.4311. This Championship event is the culmination of national tournaments with the top qualifiers vying for the Peach Jam title. The very best 16 and 17 year old basketball players participate. Admission fees apply, the public is invited to attend.
August
Storks & Corks, held at the Silver Bluff Audubon Center. 843.462.2150. Enjoy a sampling of wine and hors d’oeuvres following the viewing of the endangered Wood Storks in the center’s Kathwood Ponds.
sc.audubon.org/visit/silver-bluff September
Aiken’s Makin’, in the parkways of downtown Aiken during the second full weekend in September. 803.641.1111. An annual display of juried arts and crafts from the southeastern states. The festival includes arts and crafts, food vendors, and entertainment.
aikensmakin.net
Festival of the Woods, in Hitchcock Woods. 803.642.0528. To celebrate the wide range of pedestrian uses and stewardship of the Hitchcock Woods. Features a ticketed dinner with a guest speaker. hitchcockwoods.org
Annual Festivals & Events October
Western Carolina State Fair, held at the Aiken Fairgrounds 1566 Columbia Hwy N, Aiken. 803.648.8955. Rides, entertainment and special daily shows.
westerncarolinastatefair.com
Colonial Times: A Day to Remember, the 3rd weekend in October at the Living History Park. 803.279.7560. Explore daily Colonial life through demonstrations and exhibits.
colonialtimes.us
Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee, the last weekend in October. 803.441.4311. National music acts, craft vendors and a wide variety of foods are available at this festival on Georgia Ave in downtown North Augusta.
jackolanternjubilee.com November
Shoutfest, the largest outdoor Gospel Event in the CSRA featuring national and local gospel artists. Good food, kid fun zone, vendors, and great entertainment. This event is free and open to the public. shout947.com/shoutfest Blessing of the Hounds, on Thanksgiving Day at the Memorial Gate in Hitchcock Woods. 803.643.3724. The public is most welcome to attend. Note, please do not bring your own dogs to the Blessing. Allow a good 30 minutes walk from Laurens Street entrance to Memorial Gate. theaikenhounds.com Salley Chitlin’ Strut, held the Saturday after Thanksgiving at the Salley Civic Center and Fairgrounds. 803.258.3485. Visitors are drawn to this small community to celebrate this unusual food item that has been a southern tradition for over 100 years. Activities also include a parade, hog-calling contests, food and craft vendors, beauty pageant, carnival rides and a car show. chitlinstrut.com
December
Night of 1,000 Lights, come downtown to experience luminaries lining the streets of downtown Aiken, as shops stay open late and offer holiday treats, drinks, and music for a festive evening out. This is a free event.
aikendda.us
Christmas in Hopelands, City of Aiken, Parks Recreation, & Tourism. 803.642.7631. Walking tours along lighted pathways through Hopelands Gardens with holiday displays. Christmas concerts performed by local choirs provide entertainment from the garden’s performing arts stage. Historic buildings in the gardens are decorated and open for touring each night. Hot chocolate, apple cider and holiday cookies are served nightly. Admission is free. visitaikensc.com
Year-round & Seasonal Events
aikenchoralsociety.org
aikenballet.org
aikencommunitytheatre.org
Aiken Symphony Orchestra, 803.295.0313. executivedirector@aikensymphonyorchestra.com
aikensymphonyorchestra.com
Augusta GreenJackets Baseball, 803.349.9467. info@greenjacketsbaseball.com
milb.com/augusta
Circle Theatre of Barnwell, 803.259.7046. barnwellct@gmail.com
barnwellct.weebly.com
usca.edu/rpsec/departments/planetarium
Monetta Drive-In Theatre, 803.685.7949.
