Friday, September 11, 2009
9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, September 12, 2009
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
New and returning artisans ready for Aiken’s Makin’
The 33rd Annual Aiken’s Makin’ is less than 40 days away, and 69 new and 112 returning artisans are busy preparing for the popular arts and crafts festival. The event will be held September 11th and 12th in the beautiful parkways of downtown Aiken.
“We are really excited about this years Aiken's Makin’. Everything is falling into place nicely, and we have another outstanding group of crafters scheduled this year,” said Aiken’s Makin’ Co-chair Tim Conway, Aiken Art & Custom Framing. “We have worked very hard with the food and beverage committee to upgrade our food and beverage offerings as well,” he said.
Co-chair Shelia Taylor, First Citizens Bank, agreed. “This event is so popular that every year we get more and more applicants wanting to participate. The examination process of every application helps to ensure a variety of arts and crafts while continuing to improve quality each year,” Taylor said.
The parkways along Park Avenue will be marked and ready for the nearly 30,000 visitors who flock to the festival every year. The choices will be many as they shop for jewelry, stained glass, pottery, clothing, woodcrafts, yard art, wrought iron, soaps, lotions, needlecrafts, candles, and many other unique handcrafted items from around the Southeast.
The choices of food items will be just as diverse – hamburgers, stir-fry, Greek specialties, BBQ, popcorn, funnel cakes, ice cream, and a variety of cold beverages. Twenty-four food vendors are busy preparing for the hungry crowds.
“It’s going to be fun,” said J. David Jameson, President and CEO of the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce. “We’re expecting lots of vendors and shoppers in the parkways of beautiful downtown Aiken, and we want them to know how much we appreciate them.”