Aiken's Makin' craft show will feature lots of vendors

More than 200 vendors will line Park Avenue today for the 33rd annual Aiken's Makin' craft show.

The arts and crafts festival will be held from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. this evening and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. tomorrow. Aiken's Makin will feature 186 handcraft vendors and 28 food vendors from throughout the Southeast. They have set up in parkways on Park Avenue from Chesterfield Street to Union Street. Seventy-two new vendors are participating in this year's event and 112 are returning, offering a variety of unique items to choose from. About 30,000 people are expected to come out this weekend.

Shoppers are urged to arrive at the festival early both days to find the best deals. This year's festival will feature artwork, home and garden items, clothing and accessories, jewelry, toys, needle craft, woodcrafts, stained glass, pottery, metal work and of course food. Food vendors will be stationed on Park at Fairfield and York streets. Among the food choices available are: hamburgers, sandwiches, barbecue, stir-fry, Greek food, popcorn, funnel cakes and ice cream.

Aiken's Makin' began when Aiken Chamber of Commerce official Luther Bigby came up with an idea for an arts and crafts festival showcase downtown. The first festival was held on sidewalks, which the event eventually outgrew.

Only right-hand lanes on Park Avenue will be open. Lanes closest to the parkway will be closed to vehicles. Detours will be available and reduced speed limits will be posted.

Two-hour parking limits will be enforced today. Also, parking restrictions in the westbound lane of Park Avenue between Fairfield and York streets have been made at the request of the business owners.

Aiken Public Safety officials say roads will reopen by tomorrow evening.

For more information about Aiken's Makin', contact the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce at 641-1111.

Contact April Bailey at abailey@aikenstandard.com.