Aiken County Visitors Center

It's Wednesday in Aiken County and that means we are 1 day closer to the weekend! Here is our next Day-Cation idea! This one is best enjoyed on a Saturday. Feel free to share pictures of your adventures in Aiken County with us!

We are looking for the community to send us a high resolution picture that they think embodies Aiken County as a destination. This picture may be published on social media platforms by Southeast Tourism Society, so please make sure it is tasteful, represents Aiken County, and is a clear high resolution picture. Please email [email protected] with your submission, a brief description of the location and why you thing this embodies our destination and your first and last name for photo credit.

**Photo to grab your attention only!!**

Red Shed Diner

Call and see if you are in the delivery area!
Great food delivered!!

Remember we DELIVER! Anywhere within 3 miles of the diner. Not sure if you're in our delivery area, just give us a call (803) 663-0584.
We'll deliver whatever you crave from our blue plate specials to an entire cake or casserole! NEW HOURS 11-4. www.redsheddiner.com
#delivery #diner #comfortfood #countrycooking #cakes #pie #dessert #blueplatespecial #lunch #burgers #sandwiches #aikensc #granitevillesc #augustaga #northaugustasc #edgefieldsc

National Audubon Society

Enjoy this beautiful sight of the Wood Storks during their yearly visit to the Silver Bluff Audubon Center & Sanctuary.

With their big bills, naked heads, and striking black and white plumage, it’s hard to forget your first Wood Stork sighting. These curious-looking wading birds were once federally listed as an endangered species. But thanks to effective conservation efforts, like those we’ve undertaken at Silver Bluff Audubon Center & Sanctuary, Wood Stork populations have made a comeback.

Join us live to welcome these annual visitors back to Silver Bluff’s ponds with Audubon South Carolina Executive Director Justin Stokes, Silver Bluff Sanctuary Manager Brandon Heitkamp, and Beidler Forest Audubon Center & Sanctuary Director Matt Johnson.

Our new Day-Cation Series will give you ideas for a day of fun in Aiken County! Look for another day-cation idea coming soon. 🚶

2020 Curbside School Supply Giveaway this Saturday at the Aiken County Recreation Center from 12 noon to 2pm. Kids must be present. See you there!📓✏️

It’s almost that time again! We’re looking for all school supply donations but, strongly need masks (youth and adult) and hand sanitizer. This year’s giveaway will be drive thru style at the Aiken County Recreation Center! Please contact Tandra Cooks or Pamela Perry for donations or questions.

Aiken County is in Game Zone 3. Deer season kicks off on private land in just a few days. Make sure to visit the SCDNR website for more hunting information.

Deer season kicks off on private land in Game Zones 3 & 4 in just a few days! Here are a few tips on #ResponsibleRecreation.

Eudora Farms is thanking First Responders tomorrow, August 12th with FREE admission to the drive-thru safari. Make sure you have your Work ID with you.

Our First Responder's Days is rapidly approaching. We hope see you all this Wednesday to enjoy a fun packed day!

Confused about who qualifies as a first responder on Wednesday? We hope our list helps!

- Military
- Fire
- Law Enforcement
- Medical Staff

Please have your ID ready when you arrive at the gate to receive FREE entry 8 AM - 2 PM

Look up: Meteor shower to be visible over Aiken County

Look up in the sky between midnight and sunrise through Thursday and get a glimpse of the annual Perseid meteor shower. Make sure you are in a dark area with no lights in order to get a great view!

aikenstandard.com The annual Perseid meteor shower is active and is set to create a show over the night sky starting early Tuesday morning.

This beautiful family run farm is Boondock Farms located in Jackson, SC on the old Jim and Lillies golf course. Their mission is to provide fresh produce to their community through organic farming and sustainable living. Boondock Farms looks forward to meeting their neighbors on Saturdays at their garden and farmers market during the hours of 10am-2pm. On the second Saturday of each month they will have a vendors market, featuring local crafters, food trucks, live music and more! Head out there and enjoy the serene setting of life in the country! Follow their page for more information and future events!

Amazing South Carolina coloring book by Laura Murray Creative just arrived today! Purchase yours now for a fun quarantine activity for all ages!

[08/06/20]   Help Herb n Berries clean their bushes this weekend, for free!!

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

The 2020-2021 South Carolina Rules and Regulations booklet is now available. Click the link below to view it.

IT'S HERE! The 2020-2021 South Carolina Rules and Regulations booklet is online now!

Bookmark this page: http://www.eregulations.com/southcarolina/huntingandfishing/

We are so excited to have Aiken Custom Signs as our August exhibit! Each piece is unique and created with quality wood. Made of oak, cedar, maple, heart pine, yellow pine, walnut, and repurposed hardware which includes railroad spikes and railroad numbered nails. The carving is done by CNC woodworking, which utilizes computer controlled carving. Stop in to see these beautiful signs!

Aiken's Makin's has been cancelled for this year. But don't worry you can still purchase from your favorite vendors or maybe a new vendor. Just click the link below and you will be directed to their shopping page.

COVID unraveled Aiken's Makin' this year, but don't despair you can still shop and find great gifts and treasures from the artists and vendors. Visit https://www.aikenchamber.net/aikensmakin2020.html

Exhibitors please check your email for further information.

Join in on a Virtual Fishing Derby with Harrison-Caver Park! Take a picture of the fish you caught while fishing during July 30th-August 11th and send the following information: Name, Age, and where you caught your fish to [email protected] by August 11th. If possible include the weight and width of the fish. Winners will be announced on August 18th! Have fun fishing Aiken County.🎣🐟

Café Scientifique - Aiken

Check back July 30th for a live story on Bram Stokers mother told by his great-grand nephew!

The Top 15 Resort Hotels in the South

THE WILLCOX in Aiken ranked number 10 on The Top 15 Resort Hotels in the South!

https://www.travelandleisure.com/worlds-best/resort-hotels-in-south?j=731803&sfmc_sub=164934507&l=92_HTML&u=59546664&mid=7300226&jb=2&fbclid=IwAR2w7F9IA6jnyjho79N4vs0-WhNSj52V68OwqMAPIoUPVNRsEXrsNY4Cmfs

travelandleisure.com From a retreat nestled in Tennessee's Great Smoky Mountains to an iconic Georgia beach getaway, these are the properties voted best by Travel + Leisure readers.

🚨New Inventory!!🚨
Come in and check out TomMac Garrett Ceramics!
🐝🐝

Aiken City Council Passes Emergency Ordinance Requiring Face Coverings | City of Aiken, SC Government

Just a reminder, due to COVID-19 the mandatory mask ordinance for the City of Aiken goes into effect today, July 17th at 12 noon. Please read the link below for more information about this ordinance.

cityofaikensc.gov Aiken City Council Passes Emergency Ordinance Requiring Face Coverings Monday, July 13, 2020 | Covid-19, News, Public Notice FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aiken City Council Passes Emergency Ordinance Requiring Face Coverings Aiken, SC – The City of Aiken issued an emergency ordinance requiring individual...

Equine Rescue of Aiken

We are a very small staff and have a huge amount of animals that depend on us for their livelihoods.
So At this time, we have decided to close down the rescue to the public for tours and visitation due to COVID-19.

We are still allowing volunteering to help us with the farm and horses.

Adoptions will be by appointment only and an application must be submitted or on file before scheduling.

We are very sad about closing for tours and visitation, but we want to make sure our staff and volunteers are staying safe and healthy.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrates completion of work on Langley Pond's dam

We are so excited that the Langley Pond Dam is complete!

aikenstandard.com WARRENVILLE — During the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the dam at Langley Pond on Friday, local officials celebrated the completion of a project “that has been a long time in coming,”

Racing Hall of Fame and Museum recognized by Official Best of America

Official Best of America, a travel award presenter and producer of television shows and videos, has named the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame and Museum the Carolinas’ Best Equestrian Attraction for 2020. Located within Hopelands Gardens, celebrates the tradition of racing from 1942 through present. This is a must-see for your next visit to Aiken County.

aikenstandard.com Official Best of America, a travel award presenter and producer of television shows and videos, has named the Aiken Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame...

Palmetto Priority

Many restaurants in Aiken County have joined the Palmetto Priority Program! If you are unfamiliar with this program released for SC restaurants visit their website https://palmettopriority.com/. You can also find a list of restaurants that are participating on their website.

palmettopriority.com Palmetto Priority is a formal commitment made by South Carolina restauranteurs to provide a clean and safe environment for their staff and customers to demonstrate real precautions that they are taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Happiest Hour on Earth happening at SRP Park tonight from 4pm-8pm! Make your reservation now, to guarantee entrance.

Next weeks Happy Hour has a magical sprinkle of dust! Plenty of time to pick out your favorite pair of ears 😉

Make your reservations today! https://atmilb.com/38qXP1f

The Wagener Museum is open by appointment only. Schedule your visit now.

I've been asked if the museum is open a few times. It is open by appointment, but I want to let people know ahead of time that I am requiring masks be worn inside the museum. My Dad used to say, "Sometimes we have to do, what we have to do". Being a cancer survivor and living with an elderly parent with heath issues, I have to do what I have to do. Thanks for understanding! I truly love our little town.

Just a reminder we are CLOSED today in observance of the 4th of July holiday. We will re-open Monday, July 6th for our normal business hours.

We are sad to learn that Herb n Berries U-pick season has come to an end earlier than expected this year. If you didn't get a chance to visit the farm this season, enjoy some of our pictures we took during our tour last week. We had a lovely visit and learned that they are USDA Certified Organic, they have 44 rows of blueberries with approximately 1250 bushes and 9 different varieties. As the season progresses there is also fresh produce, plants, herbs, as well as edible and cut flowers. You can still purchase frozen berries for your baking and smoothie needs while supplies last. Call for pricing and more information. Cash or check only.

Just a reminder the Aiken County Visitors Center will be CLOSED today and tomorrow in observance of the 4th of July holiday. We will re-open Monday, July 6th for normal business hours of 8:30am-5pm. Have a safe weekend!

Did you know South Carolina is 1 of only a handful of states that can legally sell raw milk? Most states only allow raw milk for pet use or is completely illegal to sell altogether. We learned that today during our tour of Samaria Farm & Dairy LLC as well as how the farm operates, how loved their working animals are, that they are the only operating dairy farm in the CSRA and how delicious raw goat and cow milk tastes! Visit them at the Aiken County Farmers Market on Tuesdays and Saturdays, or you can call them and make a trip out to the farm to pick-up items. They sell raw Nubian goat milk, raw Jersey cow milk, pasture raised farm fresh eggs, pasture raised broilers, sausage, bacon, honey and many more locally grown items on their farm in Aiken while available.

Visit https://www.realmilk.com/ for more information on raw milk and which states can legally sell it.

Cheryl Dillinger is displaying her work with us for the month of July. Please remember we are limiting two visitors at a time but are gladly accommodating everyone who comes to visit.
Our hours are Monday - Friday 8:30-5:00 and Saturday 10:00-3:00.
www.discoveraikencounty.com

The Aiken County Visitors Center will be CLOSED Friday, July 3rd and Saturday July 4th in observance of the 4th of July holiday. We will re-open on Monday, July 6th for our normal business hours.

The Langley Pond Disc Golf Course is open now!
Check out the several new improvements on the course. Stairs have been added at holes 15 and 12, a boardwalk at hole 7 and retaining walls along the shoreline at the water holes have been backfilled.
PRT Park Specialist and our Maintenance staff did a fantastic job on the course! Thanks for supporting the park. If you see trash or sticks on the course, please help us out. Have fun!

4th of July in State Parks | South Carolina Parks Official Site

Take the family and head to our beautiful State Parks to celebrate 4th of July! Aiken State Park and Redcliffe Plantation are just right down the road from Aiken, but if you are looking to explore new areas of South Carolina, check out the link below for a list of all SC State Parks.

southcarolinaparks.com As many of us gather in state parks for the holiday weekend, this Fourth of July may look a little different than normal. Whether you’re hiking, wading in the lake or flipping burgers on the grill, celebrating Independence Day in state parks can be a memorable experience for you and your family.

Virtual Saltwater Family Fishing Clinic

Join SCDNR and the South Carolina Wildlife Federation for our first virtual family fishing clinic! This clinic will teach basic skills on how to tie fishing knots, how to rig a rod and reel, casting and how to fish -- just in time for the Fourth of July!

eventbrite.com Virtual Saltwater Family Fishing Clinic!