About Aiken's Downtown Aiken

The 20^th Annual St. Mary's Chocolate Festivalwas today and it was a blast : )

I hope you got a chance to stop by.

So much to see and do -

The frozen casserole sale was a complete success and completely sold out in the first hour! Silly me - I headed straight for the chocolate...and by the time I got to the casseroles they were all gone : (

Silent auction- there were so many cool items on which to bid. Artwork, chocolate baskets, rounds of golf, spa day for two, dinner/theatre combo, pet baskets, gardening gifts, jewelry, three days/two nights in Hilton Head, Football tickets!!, so much more and... parties-parties-parties!! Yes - you didn't have to bid - just sign up and pay the per person amt. Such as: and oyster roast to be held on Feb 21 at the Mickey Anaclerio residence. Last year this party raised a ton of money for the school. Oh, and Mickey is my landlord :) There were other parties too. Japanese Dinner, Girls Night Out......

The new/used book sale - lots and lots of books to choose from - CHEAP!! And then even cheaper at the end of the day. (down to $1/bag!!)

Bake Sale- it was hard to make a choice - everything looked soooo good. I work for the most recognizable agent in Aiken...therefore I get recognized by lots of people too. (recognition by association, lol) I asked one of the volunteers at the bake sale if there were any ‘buckeyes'..and she said - 'no, Kara, I'm sorry - Jane Page was just here and asked the same thing!' I must have had a blank look on my face - and as I started to speak she said ‘it's me---Roseanne from The Real Estate Book' OMG - of course! I just didn't recognize her in that bakers apron! And to be honest...I was paying more attention to all the chocolate delights, hehehe.

Food of course - burgers/hot dogs/fries/ice cream/choc cakes and pies by the slice/cookies/brownies......! - and face painting - carriage rides and more!

Rides and games for the kids - a blood drive - pet adoption - plant sale - A pudding toss --- this was too funny!

Even a mechanical bull----or was it a chocolate moose? Oh - no no no - Chocolate Moose was the band - and they were actually pretty good! TAKE A LOOK!!

Irish Dancers put on a show too - these kids have practiced A LOT!! Check it out!

Schedule of Events:

Pie Eating Contest!!

It was a great day! I hope you were able to make it. If not - there's always next year :)

Thanks for stopping by my blog- please think of me for your and your friends/family Aiken area real estate needs. Please let me know you found me though my blog :) Thanks! (Don't forget to scroll over the pictures for some additional comments, observations, and other misc remarks haha )

Enjoy an evening of easy listening and dancing to timeless jazz standards.

The Aiken Jazz Society presents: Club Jazz

Date: Sunday, October 5th

Time: 6:00pm

Place: Newberry Hall, Newberry Street, Downtown Aiken, SC (I have been to several events at Newberry Hall - the food is always the best! Always fresh. Maggie goes to the farmers market in the morning and gets what she needs for that days menu. Everything has always been absolutely DELICIOUS!) I've been to wedding receptions, holiday parties, business luncheons, dinner events..... They do off site catering as well - how about having them set up a box lunch for your next staff meeting - OR....have them take care of the dinner for 12 so you can enjoy visiting with your guests! Give them a call for info on having a function at Newberry Hall...or off site catering: 803.641.7087. Maggie & David Sacks.

Tickets: $45 per person. Checks payable to: Aiken Jazz Society

Info: 803.644.7433

Swinging Jazz by Preston & Weston with guest vocalist Sandra Simmons.

Buffet Dinner - Cash Bar - Dinner Music with Karen Gordon (formerly of Quiet Storm)

Come out for an evening of jazz!

Save the date - and bring your appetites! If you like food - you will not want to miss this event!

Here's the deal: Buy your tickets in advance for $20 or on the day of the event for $25. (LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE!!! - DON'T WAIT TO GET YOUR TICKETS!!) call 803.649.2221

A TASTE OF DOWNTOWN AIKEN

Participating Downtown Aiken Restaurants/Shoppes:

CAFE RIO BLANCO sampling: Fried Plantains, bite size Cuban sandwich, sample of Garbanzo bean soup.

CASA BELLA sampling: Meatballs

CITY BILLIARDS sampling: Variety of hotdogs and chili (City Billiards has the best chili cheese dog in town!)

DESSERVES sampling: Red Velvet Cake

MOONBEAN sampling: Demos of estate grown coffee samples from South America, Africa & Indonesia

NEW MOON sampling: Variety of soups and bakery items

OLIV'A sampling: Arancini, a fresh saffron risotta ball stuffed with mozzarella or marinara

PAPA RUSS BBQ sampling: Smoked pork/beef brisket with their special BBQ sauce.

PLUM PUDDING sampling: Asian fresh wraps, fresh shrimp lettuce wraps with assorted dipping sauces

SWEET COW CREAMERY sampling: Pumpkin Bread A la Mode

SUGAR MAGNOLIA CAFE sampling: Veggie banger-rolls

UP & AWAY BALLOONS & FUDGE sampling: Chocolate fudge with homemade real cream and butter fudge

WEST SIDE BOWERY sampling: Shrimp and Sausage Creole over rice

SAMPLE YOUR WAY THROUGH DOWNTOWN!

TUESDAY - OCTOBER 7TH. 5PM - 7:30PM

(first 200 tickets sold will receive an Eco-friendly tote)

Call for more info and tickets: Aiken Downtown Development Association. 803.649.2221

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Mark your calendars - St. Mary's 20th Annual Chocolate Festival is this coming weekend :) 10/4 to be exact!

So much fun for all! So much chocolate :)

Silent Auction - Carnival games - Inflatables - Gourmet Cafe - International Foods - Used Books and media - Bake Sale - Frozen Casserole Sale - Vendors - Blood Drive - Entertainment - Plant Sale

Indoor and outdoor activities !!

AND DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CHOCOLATE!!!! :)

The Chocolate Festival is the largest fundraiser of the year for St. Mary's. Thanks to the many generous donors, the festival is able to remain affordable for families to enjoy while raising the funds necessary to support the school :) Come on down and show your support...and enjoy some delicious chocolate!

And don't forget about our four legged friends! (not horses this time, lol) The St. Mary's Chocolate festival works with the Aiken SPCA and sponsor a pet food drive as part of the Chocolate Festival. The SPCA will also bring adoptable animals to the festival. You may just find your next pet here :)

AND......TAKE A HORSE AND CARRIAGE RIDE THROUGH OUR HISTORIC DOWNTOWN (to support St.Mary's) !

Lucky for St. Mary's - the average American eats 11 pounds of chocolate a year!! (The Swiss have us beat...averaging 22 pounds each per year...wow!!) Last year St. Mary's cleared $50k from this event!! Not too shabby :) Come on out and enjoy some chocolate!

See you there :) Festivities start at 9am. (this is an all-day event!!!) 138 Fairfield St - Downtown Aiken

Read more about it in the Autumn 2008 issue of Sandlapper Magazine

Give me a call for your Aiken real estate needs! (and be sure to let me know you saw my blog)

Hey Y'all! Come to Downtown Aiken on Thursday night (September 18, 2008) for a "Starry Night". 6pm - 9pm

Stroll along the downtown streets and stop by the many shops and visit with local artists and take a look at their masterpieces :)

Participating Artists:

Liz Ringus, Kimberly guillermo, Ann LeMay, Marsha Shelburn, Steve Barrown, Anne Lattimore, Carolyn Bohn, Megan Swingle, Aiken High Art Dept, South Aiken High Art Dept, Mike Kleiman, Lewis Swingle, Jan Fleetwood, John Radeck, Pamela Moore, Jerry Galloy, Jenny Courtenay, Jane Bess, Jennifer Murphy and Others.

Stop by the Aiken Downtown Development Association office - located in The Alley......or visit any of the shops for a map. Sponsored by Aiken Downtown Development Association. For more info call 803.649.2221

Come and enjoy the evening downtown with me :)

And dont' forget to give me a call if you are in the need of real estate assistance. Jane Page and I can help you (or any of your friends/family) any where in the world! Just give us a call first :)