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Steeplechase celebrations a chance for unique decorations
3/22/2008 11:50 PM   0 comment(s) on this story E-mail this story to a friend

By RACHEL JOHNSON
Staff writer
The Aiken Spring Steeplechase brings more than just exciting horse races to Aiken. It is synonymous with the arrival of spring and is the highlight of the year for many as friends and family share in the spirit of the day.
Each year as the Steeplechase gains popularity, enthusiasts travel from all over to attend the Triple Crown's biggest event: The Imperial Cup. Fans return to the same spots year after year and railside spots continue to be in high demand.
People line up at the gates early in the day, awaiting admittance to the field in order to prepare their spots for the day's festivities. Getting ready involves setting up the tables and chairs, decorating the tables, unpacking the coolers and firing up the grills; each group celebrating in their own fashion.
Many set their tables up with themes and most have a center piece. "Never forget to bring the centerpiece," smiled Cindy Morris as she pointed to her group's brightly colored floral arrangement. Right next door to her table was a marble horse statue centerpiece and just down the way was a balloon bouquet.
From flowers to statues each centerpiece brings its own unique flavor to the table. However, none more so than the centerpiece created each year by Kenny Lain, Warren Hair and Jeff Burkhardt. The three friends find people dropping by and taking pictures of their centerpiece all day long.
Every year for as long as they can remember, friends Lain, Hair and Burkhardt have carried on the tradition of working with local celebrity Pockets and cooking pork BBQ at the Steeplechase. In order to incorporate the pig into every aspect of the day, his head remains on display as the table's centerpiece.
This year the pig was named Sam; he sported a captain's hat, sunglasses and a cigarette. These Steeplechase veterans say they would never dream of attending the event without their pig.
The definitive answer for the day's must have items varies depending on who you talk too. However, the items on many lists include cold beverages, especially alcohol. Others would not dream of attending the Steeplechase without their hats, food, money, or cigars. More practical items are sunscreen, tables, chairs, sandals, watermelon, fried chicken, trash bags, sunglasses and umbrellas. Still others including Ken Lain and Chuck Hallman say pretty women are one thing you simply cannot leave home without.
No matter what you bring to the Aiken Steeplechase, you are sure to leave with a smile, a touch of sunburn and many incredible memories.



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