Fall in Aiken full of flavor

Downtown merchants welcomed in the fall season Sunday with the second Flavors of Fall Festival held throughout downtown.

The event, sponsored by the Aiken Downtown Development Association, featured an assortment of activities for those who attended, including pumpkin carving demonstrations, free makeovers for kids, games, a chili cook-off and an antique car cruise-in, sponsored by the Aiken Horsepower Association.

"I think it turned out really well; this is great," said Jo-Anne Saunders with the ADDA.

Christian Carlisle of Plum Pudding said this year's event seemed to draw more people than the first Flavors of Fall Festival.

"I think the cars and the chili contest seemed to bring out a lot of people," he said.

The tents where the chili was being distributed were busy most of the afternoon as people sampled the various chili recipes.

Carlisle won first place in the contest for his "Coast and Country" chili, which included ground Kobe beef, beef tenderloin and four kinds of chilies, according to Carlisle.

Patrick Carlisle and Derek Lycons of Newberry Hall came in second place for their "Three Bean" chilli. Patrick said special ingredients for their chili recipe consisted on chipotle peppers and three kinds of beer.

Russ Richardson, owner of Papa Russ's BBQ, came in third for his "SOB" chilli. "SOB," which stands for "Sweet Old Bill," is named for Richardson's father. Richardson would not give up any of the ingredients for his family recipe, smiling and saying, "It's a secret."

The festival also offered residents one last chance to vote for their favorite scarecrow for a scarecrow decorating contest. People voted by placing coins in boxes at the downtown business displaying the scarecrow.

The money raised for the contest will be donated to Area Churches Together Serving. Prizes for the winners will be awarded on Halloween.