Aiken's Makin' deemed a success

The Park Avenue festival site for the 34th Annual Aiken's Makin' was packed with people Saturday for the second and final day of the event.

Aiken's Makin' opened to clouds and the occasional brief shower Saturday morning, but the shoppers kept coming, according to Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce President and CEO J. David Jameson.

"The crowds have been huge; the streets and parkways have been just packed. The crafters have been happy, the food's delicious, and our volunteers have been extraordinary. It's our opinion that this might be the best one yet," he said.

The festival showcased the wares of more than 190 artisans from across the region, local charitable organizations and more than 20 food vendors in two food courts. A three-block stretch of Park Avenue was closed off for the event, from Chesterfield Street to Union Street.

"We've had a good weekend; people have been buying stuff, and we've had a lot of good comments," said Tom Butler at the Flagman Productions booth. "I'm the artist for all these paintings, and I do this - flag-related art - for a living. We came down from Southport, N.C."

Shoppers also came from near and far, and Chamber volunteers circulated with surveys asking visitors what they liked and didn't like at the festival. The Chamber collects that data to help refine the event planning for next year.

"My friend Becky brought me down; I've never been to Aiken's Makin', but she has, and she said I had to see it," said shopper Linda Maschek of Seneca. "I'm wonderfully surprised. The vendors are true artists, the food is very good and affordable. I like the layout with the trees overhead, and it's an eclectic mix of people. I came down looking for jewelry and purses for me and for my daughter."

The Aiken Department of Public Safety patrolled the festival site on foot, on bicycles and in golf carts to provide assistance as needed and to keep things orderly. The Aiken chapter of the American Red Cross put up a first aid booth as well to handle minor spills, heat exhaustion, bumps and bruises, insect stings and other mishaps, but the day passed without major incident, according to Red Cross volunteer Teresa Hogg.

"We at the Red Cross just feel we need to be out in the community, to let the community know that we're here and that our emergency response volunteers do more besides the big disaster stuff," she said.

Planning for the next installment of the Chamber's annual juried arts and crafts show begins almost as soon as the current one closes. Information on how to get involved as a volunteer or as a craft or food vendor applicant is available at www.aikensmakin.net or by calling the Chamber at 641-1111.

"I proclaim the 34th Annual Aiken's Makin' a total success," said Jameson.

Contact Suzanne Stone at sstone@aikenstandard.com.