Savor the Summer while Looking to the Fall
It’s obvious that the signs of fall are brewing. That is, with the back to school craze, shorter days, sweaters and boots in stores, and the smell of pumpkin latte spiced coffee, but before you put up your hummingbird feeder and your southern sun-brewed tea from the patio table, slow down and seize the remainder of the summer days! Summer is not officially over until September 22. Check out some of the happenings in Aiken as the summer wraps up. You will not want to miss it!
Shopping. Start a day bright and early by shopping in downtown Aiken, and enjoy the perks of shopping for those summer bargains. Be sure you shop during the sidewalk sales on Labor Day weekend of September 1-3. Don’t forget to shop at the 40th Annual Aiken’s Makin’ event will be in beautiful downtown Aiken featuring handmade craft exhibits, food and performing artists on September 9 -10.
Entertainment. Hear some live music! Stop by the Aiken Visitors Center and Train Depot to listen to railroad songs and a little bit of country music by Roads n’ Rails (Songs n’ Tales) on Saturday, September 2. All types of live music can be heard at popular Aiken eateries as well.
A Birthday Celebration. Cake is on us! Join the community to celebrate the 62nd Birthday of the Aiken County Famers Market on Saturday, September 3, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon. With a gigantic birthday cake, it will be a special birthday celebration at the Aiken County Farmers Market. The festivities are not in honor of a person, but rather the market itself.
Arts and Theater. Experience the Aiken Arts Community. Enjoy an opening reception for Mary Zhan at the Aiken Center for the Arts on September 8, 6:00 – 8:00 pm, and experience the vibrancy of artwork; and take home a souvenir from the shop. There are different arts events during this time, including Disney's Beauty and the Beast with several performances in September. Reserve your tickets today.
The Eats. Summer days makes me think of certain foods…ice cream, burgers and outside dinners. Take a step back in time with a visit to Betsy's on the Corner for frosty shakes and ice cream treats at the old-fashion soda fountain. Have lunch at City Billards. It’s the spot for a yummy chili burger or chili dog. I love dining during summer nights. For a cool evening under the stars, The Stables Restaurant at Rose Hill Estates will be hosting Celtic Pub Night with Gavin Winship on September 9. Gavin, hailing from Durham in Northern England, will be performing classic Celtic ballads and playing the guitar, Irish pipes, and bouzouki.
Adventure. For some adventure, Dark Shadows and To the Moon and Beyond will be showing at the Dupont Planetarium on September 3, 10, 17. You will learn how “Dark Shadows” are related to the phases of the Moon and to solar and lunar eclipses. It includes hands-on activities, stunning images, and Digistar segments and ends with an inspiring video of a total solar eclipse.
There are many things to do with the summers end, but it’s mostly the simple things in life. Have a picnic at Carolina Bay. Take pictures of the sand river at Hitchcock Woods. Wear shorts. Eat all the barbecue you want. Take a day off. Take a week off. Enjoy summer for a couple of weeks left and then, ahh time to celebrate Fall.