We Are Aiken County: Aiken’s Makin’ offers arts, crafts and edibles for everyone | We Are Aiken

Editor’s observe: We Are Aiken County is a sequence of posts that will run by means of Feb. 26. It celebrates folks, destinations and activities that formed Aiken County.

1 of Aiken’s major activities ushers in the drop festival year each and every September.

With Labor Working day driving them and the holidays in advance, buyers flock to Aiken’s Makin’, a two-day arts and crafts fair distribute out downtown alongside numerous blocks on Park Avenue.

The reasonable, sponsored by the Aiken Chamber of Commerce, provides purchasers an prospect to search, obtain a little something fantastic for their dwelling or decide up a couple early Xmas presents beneath the shade of Park Avenue’s parkways. Canine and toddler strollers are welcome at the free once-a-year function.

Aiken’s Makin’, which celebrated its 46th anniversary previous 12 months, ordinarily appeals to far more than 150 artisans.

Their hand-crafted wares can include things like folk art, pottery, personalized presents, handmade garments, basket weaving, iron perform, candles, textile artwork, hair add-ons, handbags and equipment, handmade cards, leather, mosaic, wooden, canvas art and stained glass.

Edible items normally include things like handmade sweets, dips, jams and handmade pickles.

Several of the persons who go to the good are repeat prospects, returning to their beloved distributors year right after 12 months .

Aiken’s Makin’ is a juried exhibit, which usually means distributors need to be chosen to take part, holding the range of products for sale fresh.

Community entertainers execute and as lots of as 20 meals suppliers cook dinner up a range of menu merchandise. Foodstuff decisions have bundled funnel cakes, elephant ears and fresh, hand-squeezed lemonade.

“Several of the food items distributors said ‘we enjoy it. You should make absolutely sure we’re back up coming yr,’” claimed John McMichael, a co-chairman of the show, in a news tale in the Aiken Standard in 2018. “That’s the nicest compliment you can get. We try out to acquire care of the sellers, whether they are creators or foods suppliers, and they definitely respect that. Each calendar year, they say that this is the friendliest group they have all yr, and that is a good statement to make about the Town of Aiken and the bordering area.”

Aiken’s Makin’ is a social situation, far too, providing people today who may well not see just about every other any other time of calendar year a possibility to reconnect. In addition to remaining pleasant, Aiken’s Makin’ is “clean” and “green” and has gained awards for becoming environmentally ahead, according to the news tale.

After the clearly show is more than, setting up for following year’s Aiken’s Makin’ starts off in Oct. Apps usually go out for every single year’s present in January.