Holiday festivities planned in Aiken
This weekend is packed full of holiday events so grab your family and friends and take part in the festive fun.
Thursday
* The City of New Ellenton will host its fourth annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at the City stage behind City Hall.
Friday
* The 22nd Annual North Augusta Christmas Tour of Homes will be held from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. This will be a candlelight tour. Tours will also be held on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at Jim Bush Flower Shop, Communigraphics, North Augusta Chamber of Commerce and Parks Pharmacy. Tickets are $15 in advance and $18 on the day of the tour. For more information, call 279-4844.
* The Aiken Choral Society will hold its Annual Winter Concert at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. at Cornerstone Baptist Church. Tickets are $12 for adults; $10 for seniors and $7 for children. Tickets are available at the Aiken County Historical Museum and at the door. For more information, call Dr. Maureen Simpson at 649-6570.
* The Aiken Community Playhouse presents "It's a Wonderful Life: The Musical!" Friday and Saturday and Dec. 11 and 12 at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m. Tickets are $20 for adults; $18 for seniors (60+); $15 for students and $9 for children 12 and under. For more information, visit www.aikencommunityplayhouse.com or call 648-1438.
* The Annual Downtown Aiken Tree Lighting Ceremony led by Mayor Fred Cavanaugh will be held at 6:30 p.m. at the center of Laurens Street and Richland Avenue.
* The Town of Wagener kicks off its Hometown Holiday Celebration starting at 5 p.m. with participating local merchants providing dessert samples and refreshments. There will be carriage rides and photos with Santa. The annual tree lighting ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday
* Christmas For the Birds will be held at the Old Towne Living History Park in North Augusta from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free. Please bring apples, oranges, and peanut butter for the birds and a donation of food for the local pet adoption centers. St. Nicholas will be on hand. For more information, call 279-7560 or e-mail lynn@colonialtimes.us.
* The St. Gerard Church Christmas Thrift Shop Sale will be held from 8 a.m. to noon.
* Story time with Mayor Fred Cavanaugh will be held in the Aiken Mall at 11:30 a.m. Children are invited to come out and listen to Mayor Cavanaugh read a classic Christmas story and receive a sweet treat.
* The New Ellenton Christmas Parade will take place at noon on Main Street. Entries will be accepted through Friday; call City Hall at 652-2214 for more information.
* The GVW Fire Department and Ladies' Auxiliary Christmas Parade begins at 3 p.m. at Leavelle-McCampbell Middle School, 82 Canal St., Graniteville.
* There will be a Night-Time Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. in Ward. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Ward Community Building. For more information, leave a message at (803) 685-5832.
* The Bamberg Christmas Parade begins at 10 a.m. For more information, call (803) 245-4113.
* The Denmark Christmas Parade will take place at 1 p.m. on Main Street. For more information, call (803) 793-3734.
* The Town of Wagener's Hometown Holiday Celebration continues with a craft show and bake sale that will start at 9 a.m. in the park. The annual Christmas parade will begin at 11 a.m. A car show will start at 2 p.m.
Sunday
* The North Augusta Lions Club sponsors a parade at 3 p.m. on Georgia Avenue from Martintown Road to Buena Vista Avenue.
* The Aiken Jaycees 2009 Christmas Parade begins at 2 p.m. with a route running down Park Avenue and up Laurens Street. This year's theme is "Christmas Through The Years." More information about the parade is available at www.aikenjaycees.com.
* The Allendale Christmas Parade will be at 4 p.m. and will follow Main Street from Gum to Pleasant streets. For more information, call (803) 584-4619.