Bells rang, children clapped, adults sang Christmas carols and horses were decorated as Aikenites prepared for Christmas equine style.

A new Christmas celebration came to downtown Aiken on Wednesday afternoon. Christmas carolers made their rounds of downtown but they were not on foot. The carolers came on horseback, in carriages and on a hay wagon complete with Santa Claus and horses and riders dressed in holiday cheer.

Twelve horseback riders and about 30 people in the hay wagon and one horse-drawn buggy gathered together to spread holiday tidings. They sang "Jingle Bells" - "Oh, what fun it is to ride in a one-horse open sleigh" - and "Silent Night" as they worked their way through town. The group began on South Laurens and caroled its way through town, making several stops on Laurens Street, at the Trinity Lutheran Home and in The Alley before making its way to The Willcox for a meeting with Santa and Toys for Tots drive.

The event was inspired by the Equine Steering Committee of the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce and was led by Samantha Charles, leader of the Hatchaway Hounds Mock Hunt Group, which holds weekly mock hunts.

The event garnered excitement among downtown business owners and drew spectators to share in the Aiken celebration.

"This is the first time it has ever been done," said Cynthia Brewster-Keating, marketing chair of the Equine Steering Committee of the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce. "The merchants are very happy to have the horses downtown."

Spectator Joann Minnick said, "I thought it was absolutely wonderful. There aren't many places you can see this type of thing. That is what makes Aiken so charming is events like this."

Her sentiments were echoed through the crowd as many expressed their delight.

"I think it's great. The caroling is why I am down here," said Dean Scott, spectator. "I saw it in the paper, and I try to attend every horse event I can."

At the conclusion of the caroling, the horses and riders celebrated at The Willcox. Children were given the opportunity to meet Mr. and Mrs. Claus and have their photo taken in front of the roaring fireplace in exchange for a toy donation.

Contact Rachel Johnson at rjohnson@aikenstandard.com.