Crowds were not deterred by pushing up the Aiken Christmas tree lighting ceremony one day. On Wednesday the city announced the rescheduling of its 35th Annual Downtown Tree Lighting Ceremony from Friday, Dec. 1 to Thursday night, amid reports of a rainy weekend.
A throng of Aikenites still managed to gather outside the Aiken Theatre on Newberry Street, where a stage was set to set off the Christmas season.
Recreation program coordinator Jeremy Grimes kicked off the event, exhorting the crowd toward holiday cheer before bringing students from East Aiken Elementary School to sing “Mele Kalikimaka” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
The concert choir from University of South Carolina Aiken followed, performing seasonal selections such as “Carol of the Bells” and “Silent Night.”
Aiken Mayor Teddy Milner, who was sworn in in office three days prior, spoke to attendees before bringing out members of the city council.
Stations manned by volunteers were camped about the Newberry Street Festival Center, including an arts and crafts table, a refreshment station offering cider and cocoa, and South Aiken High School sold smores, complete with skewers to hold over the firepit nearby, raising money for the school’s softball team.
The annual tree lighting ceremony launched a series of holiday events in Aiken, including the Festival of Trees and the Christmas Craft Show, both on Dec. 1, and the Christmas Parade on Dec. 3.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering business for The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
