SCOVG20 digital edition-1 - Flipbook - Page 104
Can’t Miss
Events
E X PLOR E
THOROUGHBRED
COUNTRY
FEBRUARY
Battle of Aiken, Aiken
battleofaiken.org
Come see the cannons, horses
and a cast of hundreds who
reenact this dramatic Civil
War battle.
MARCH
Aiken Spring Steeplechase, Aiken
aikensteeplechase.com
Watch horses pound the turf
and soar over fences during
the Aiken Triple Crown.
APRIL
Hopelands Concert Series, Aiken
cityofaikensc.gov
This outdoor series showcases
jazz, big band, swing and
military music plus ballet,
clogging and more.
OCTOBER
By Cele & Lynn Seldon
TROT
Equine activities abound
throughout the region. The
Aiken Triple Crown draws a
horse-loving crowd to see the
steeplechase, polo matches and
jumping events. Aiken is also
home to the Thoroughbred
Racing Hall of Fame. The
Hippodrome in North Augusta
features barrel shows and other
equestrian events. Saddle up for
a ride at Lakeview Plantation or
Broxton Bridge Plantation.
98
TIME TRAVEL
Walk in the shadow of the
area’s first settlers at North
Augusta’s Living History Park.
Learn about the early plantation system at Redcliffe
Plantation State Historic
Site in Beech Island. Explore
the preserved Civil War battlefield and the site of one of the
Confederacy’s last stands at
Battle of Rivers Bridge State
Historic Site in Ehrhardt.
SPOT
Wildlife flourishes in the diverse habitats of the region.
Watch for more than 200 species of birds at Silver Bluff
Audubon Center in Jackson.
Fish for bream, bass and catfish at the lakes at Aiken State
Park or Barnwell State Park.
See the rare and endangered
gopher tortoise at Aiken Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve in Wagener.
STROLL
There are plenty of places for a
leg-stretcher, including walking through the Hitchcock
Woods in Aiken or running,
biking or inline skating the
seven-plus miles of the paved
“rails-to-trails” North Augusta
Greeneway. For a unique look
back in time, stroll Barnwell’s
charming downtown to glimpse
the one-of-a-kind vertical sundial or “Millionaire Row” along
Aiken’s Arboretum Trail.
SHOP
Head to Denmark and the Jim
Harrison Gallery for original
20th century rural Southern
art by the renowned artist, or
shop for unique arts and crafts
by Barnwell County and South
Carolina artists at Little Red
Barn Pottery. Wander Aiken’s Norman Rockwell-esque
downtown for charming boutiques, art galleries, antique
shops, home décor stores and
gift shops.
Aiken Fall Steeplechase, Aiken
aikensteeplechase.com
Watch the thrills and speed
of horse racing during the fall
steeplechase.
DECEMBER
Christmas in Hopelands, Aiken
visitaikensc.com
Walk through Hopelands
Gardens, illuminated by
thousands of lights during
this free family event.
Left: Aiken
Right: Little Red Barn Pottery
DiscoverSouthCarolina.com
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