Hey there!  It's been awhile since I've added any updates - sorry.    It's time for the Hopelands Gardens Concerts! What: Hopelands Gardens Concert SeriesWhen:  Mondays in April at 6:30 pm              Mondays in May & June 7:00pm Where:  Hopelands Gardens schedule:4/16/18.  6:30pm:   Preston & Weston4/23/18.  6:30pm:  Aiken Brass4/30/18.  6:30pm:  East Aiken School of the Arts5/7/18.  7:00pm.  4 Cats in the Doghouse5/14/18.  7:00pm.  Southern Meltdown5/21/18. 7:00pm.  The Aiken Concert Band5/28/18. 7:00pm:  The Aiken Civic Ballet6/4/18.  7:00pm.  M'Aiken Music6/11/18. 7:00pm.  Swingstation (tentative)6/18/18. 7:00pm.   Spirit FIddle6/25/18. 7:00pm.  The Parris Island Marine Band   04/12/2018

December is a magical time, and Aiken is no different!   So many things happening, check it out! www.AikenisMagical.com December Events:1st:  Downtown Christmas Tree Lighting  (Newberry Street) 1st - 31st:  Festival of Trees at the Depot    1st - 2nd:  Christmas Craft Show  (Odell Weeks) 1st - 2nd,  8th - 10th, 15th - 16th:  Aiken Community Playhouse presents: The Best Christmas Pageant Ever. 3rd: Aiken Jaycees Parade  (Downtown) 7th:  Night of 1000 lights (Downtown) 9th:   Ugly Sweater Crawl  (Downtown) 9th & 16th:  Christmas Crafts at the Market  (Farmers Market) 9th-10th, 14th - 23rd, & 26th:   Christmas in Hopelands  (Hopelands Gardens) 10th:  Aiken Symphony Orchestra presents:  Home for the HOlidays 16th:  Santa at the Depot 22nd & 23rd:   Aiken Civic Ballet presents:  The Nutcrack... 11/27/2017

It's beginning to look like Christmas here in Aiken SC!   Downtown is adorned with holly and lights, storefronts are dressed in holiday cheer, too.  What:  Christmas Tree LightingWhen:   December 1, 2017. 6pmWhere:   Newberry Street, Downtown Aiken SC                             this pic is the Richland Ave tree,  the lighting ceremony is at the Newberry Street tree :)     11/25/2017

 Happy Thanksgiving!If you are new to town and looking for something to do....  or maybe it's already your Thanksgiving tradition....   here's what's happening in Aiken! First up:Bloodies and Bagels,    - exactly what it sounds like, haha -  enjoy bloody mary's and bagels (with different cream cheese spreads available, too!)     There is no charge to attend, but donations gladly accepted :)   you can even join as a member. where: on the lawn at the Aiken Historical Museum,  433 Newberry Street SWhosted by:   Aiken Land Conservancywhen:  9am  Next:Blessing of the Hounds,  -  for over a century this tradition continues....  walk into the majestic Hitchcock Woods (our 2200+ acre urban forest in the center of town), stroll along the trail to Memorial Gate.  Don't worry, you won't be alone- ... 11/22/2017

Downtown Aiken merchants are keeping their shoppes open late to offer you a special pre-Christmas sneak peak!!  Stop by and check out the deals!shop where you play!  shop local! Participating Businesses:3 Monkeys Fine GiftsATS of AikenLionel Smith LTDKatherine By DesignBeyond BijouxPaisley PeacockNandinaBone-I-Fide BakeryCaroline's BoutiquePlum PuddingPitter PatterPower Cuts Salon, Spa & BoutiqueDowntown DogEponaEquine DevineFollyFox & LadyRe-freshThreadsTrue ValueWhite Rose EclecticsCyndi's Sweet ShoppeConcierge Team of Aiken  11/08/2017

One of the most fun fundraising events in Aiken!  Fun because the celebrity waiter teams are raising money for Childrens Place, and they  will do anything (well, almost anything!!) for extra tips!!  It's a super fun event.  Dinner for a good cause! Even a chance to win a beautiful grand prize!  I'm honored to say that I participated twice as a celebrity waiter, and it was a blast! Here's the info: What:  22nd Annual Celebrity Waiters NightWhen:  Monday, May 15, 2017Where:  several area restaurants / clubs are hosting the event For more info, or to become a sponsor:  call  803.641.4144 http://childrensplaceinc.org  05/10/2017

April was a pretty good month for buyers and sellers :)     I recently searched our MLS for Aiken SC residential sales, between April 1 - 30, 2017,  here are the results: Statistics on 94 Listings Description Low High Average Median Total List Price $31,800 $699,000 $176,945 $160,538 $16,632,803 Selling Price $25,000 $600,000 $170,396 $162,250 $16,017,221 Sold/List(%) 70.00 % 113.64 % 96.85 % 97.58 % -- Price/SqFt ($) $0.00 $277.13 $84.86 $84.98 -- Days on Market 0 1,946 216 134 -- SqFt 0 4,437 1,979 1,915 --  If you have any questions about your Aiken real estate, give us a call.   05/10/2017

Go fly a kite!  Yes, spring is here, and with it comes the Aiken Kite Festival!! Woo hoo!! Come on out and check out all of the creativity, and flying skills of the community :)   Fun for all ages!  What:  Aiken Kite Festival When:   Saturday, May 6, 2017Time:  10am - 3pm,  free kite flying! Where:  Citizens Park III,   1060 Banks Mill Rd, Aiken SC Bring your own kit, or purchase one at the event -- there will even be a 'make your own kite' booth! How fun!!  But, it's more than just kites!   Food vendors, inflatables, live performances, pet adoption and more!  Come on out to the park and have a great time :) For more information about the event, please contact Teagan Green at tgreen@cityofaikensc.gov or 803-293-7851. This was one of my favorite kites from last year :)  05/03/2017

Are you looking for something to do this Spring-Summer, in Aiken SC ?!  Look no further, your Monday nights are covered :)  it's time for concerts at Hopelands Gardens!  And they are free.  Yes, FREE! Concerts are held Monday nights, at Hopelands Gardens.   Whiskey Rd / Dupree.Bring a lawn chair, or a blanket...even have a little picnic , and enjoy the show.  Here's the schedule:April 10, 6:30PM – Fort Gordon Band.  April 17, 6:30PM – Southern Thunder Cloggers. April 24, 6:30PM – Aiken Brass.  May 1, 7:00PM – Karen Gordon and Garden City Jazz.  May 8, 7:00PM – Savannah River Winds. Formed in 2001,  May 15, 7:00PM – East Aiken School of the Arts May 22, 7:00PM – The Aiken Concert Band.  May 29, 7:00PM – The Aiken Civic Ballet.  June 5, 7:00PM – MAiken Music. June 12, 7:00PM – Ryan Abel. ... 04/08/2017

    Night of 1000 Lights - Aiken SC 2016  Come on downtown and enjoy the season!  The light of 1000 luminaries shining downtown!  Come and stroll around, do some shopping, enjoy some holiday treats, see Santa and some elves!  Listen to carolers and other music makers :)  Enjoy the festivities, and have some fun! What:  Night of 1000 Lights When:  Thursday, December 8, 2016 Where:  Downtown Aiken More Info:  Aiken Downtown Development Association.803-649-2221  http://aikendda.us/night-of-1000-lights/ #ShopSmall and support local business this holiday season :) Shopkeepers are staying open late to give you extra holiday shopping time!Participating businesses: 3 Monkeys Fine GiftsAffordables ApparelAiken Antique MallACTSAiken Center for the ArtsBeyond BijouxCaroline's BoutiqueCarriage Hous... 11/28/2016

Christmas in Hopelands.  December 2016 - Aiken SC .                                                                                                                         Is this one of your holiday traditions? It is for me and my family! :)  If you have never been, you should visit at least once.....and maybe it will become one of your family traditions, too :)   This is a special year for this event - it is the 25th annual Christmas in Hopelands!!       What:  Christmas in Hopelands.    over 100k sparkling, twinkling lights enhancing the beauty of the gardens.  Come see!  Where:  Hopelands Gardens,  Dupree Pl, Aiken  --- limited parking available near the gardens,  best to catch the shuttle that runs from Citizens Park, 1060 Banks Mill Rd.   When: December 2016 - multiple days - see... 11/27/2016

  28th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting - Downtown Aiken, SC.   2016  City crews have been busy getting the Christmas Trees, (yes, trees!!) ready for the annual lighting.  This year is the 28th Annual lighting!   Come on down and enjoy the festivities of the season as we countdown to lighting the tree!   What:  28th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting  When:  December 2, 2016 Time:  6pm - 7:30pm  Where:  Newberry Street,  Downtown Aiken.   ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11/23/2016

Movie night at the Aiken Train Depot!  Nov 2016  Come on down to the Aiken Visitors Center and Train Museum and enjoy movie night.  The feature will be "Polar Express"      Children will enjoy a holiday snack and drink.  Bring your pillows and blankets, wear your jammies if you want!!Space is limited so make your reservation now!    What:  Movie night at the Train Depot  When:   multiple dates -- registration required:             Friday, November 18th and Saturday, November 19th  Time:  5:30 pm and 8:30   Fee:  $5/per child.   More info: Polar Express at the Train Museum. 2016 To make a reservation, please call (803) 293-7846 or (803) 644-1907.     11/17/2016

What:  Delinquent tax sale (City of Aiken, City of North Augusta, Aiken County) When:  November 14, 2016 Time:  starts at 10am Where:   Aiken County Complex               1930 University Parkway - FIRST FLOOR               Aiken SC  Not sure if you owe City of Aiken taxes?    To find out, you can either visit www.aikensc.gov,  call 803-642-7785, or stop by the City of Aiken Finance Dept at 135 Laurens St SW, Downtown Aiken.  *****BIDDERS MUST REGISTER WITH AIKEN COUNTY PRIOR TO BIDDING***** Ok, so here's the deal.   If you owe back taxes, your property will be sold.  Pay the back tax before Nov 14, and avoid having it sold out from under you!   There is a one year redemption period, yes, you can get it back within a year, but it will cost you more in the long run.   If you have a legal ... 10/27/2016

What:   Trunk or Treat  (and a movie!) When:  Saturday, October 29, 2016 Time:  4pm - 7pm Where:  Citizens Park, Field 5,   Aiken SC                                                        Bring a bag for trick/treating! There will be a movie on the outdoor big screen afterwards - bring a chair or a blanket!  Feature Movie:  "Monster House" If you are interested in donating candy or decorating a trunk, contact Will Spence at 803.293.7851. Happy Halloween!                                                                       10/27/2016

Almost time for the apple festival!  Another awesome Aiken event, a tradition for many families.  Apples for upcoming holiday pies, yummm....apples for dippping into caramel or candy, for halloween treats.....apples for snacking... these mountain apples are sooooo good!!  This is one of my favorite Aiken events! What:  St Johns Apple Festival  Where:  St Johns Church,  104 Newberry Street NW, Aiken SC   When:  Saturday, November 5th, 2016  Time: 8am - 2pm  More info:  http://www.stjaiken.org/Apple-Fest  10/23/2016

Yes, one of my favorite Aiken events!!  Lots of fun.  There is chocolate, games, book sale, baked goods, chocolate, swings, plant sale, other vendors, more fun, and did I mention chocolate :)What: St. Mary's 28th Annual Chocolate Festival 2016When:  Saturday, October 1, 2016Time: 10am - 3pmWhere:  St Mary's 118 York Street SE, Aiken SCMore info:  St Mary School (Event details may change at any time, always check with the event organizer when planning to attend events.  I am not the organizer, or affiliated with this event. )    09/26/2016

That's right! It's today!  Sorry for the short notice --    here's the info: What: Aiken Oktoberfest 2016When: Saturday, September 24, 2016Where:  Downtown Aiken, Corner of Hayne Ave & Pendelton St.Time:  6pm - 10:30pmFREE ADMISSIONMore info:  downtownaiken.com Come on down and enjoy Craft & German BEER!   Live music with The Foothills Oompah Band :)    There will be big screens set up for your College Football viewing enjoyment, too!  So don't worry - you won't miss the game.  (Information offered as a service, I am not hosting this event or affiliated in any way, for more info please contact Aiken Downtown Development Association.  downtownaiken.com ) 09/23/2016

Tis the season, for summer concerts in the gardens!!  Yes, every Monday night, bring your chairs or blankets, even a picnic (no alcohol, sorry) -and enjoy the show :)        Well-behaved pets allowed on leashes, too.   What: Hopelands Gardens Summer Concert Series   When:  (2016)Monday nights - schedule below   Where:  Hopelands Gardens, 135 Dupree Place, Aiken SC   Parking:        Handicap parking at Rye Patch parking lot, 100 Berrie Road, and Hopelands Gardens parking lot.        All other attendees may park at the Green Boundary Club, 780 Whiskey Road, Aiken SC   More Info:  803-642-7631     2016 summer schedule :)   May 16, 7pm,  Brooke Campbell   May 23, 7pm,  4 Cats in the Dobhouse   May 30, 7pm,  Aiken Civic Ballet   June 6, 7pm,  Aiken Community Playhouse Youth Wing   June 13, 7... 05/14/2016

What:  Memorial Day Parade When:  Saturday, May 28th, 2016 Where: Downtown Aiken SC Time:  11:00am Sponsored by The Aiken County Veterans Council. More info:  Aiken Memorial Day Parade 2016                                                                                                             05/06/2016