News Summary
Aiken County will celebrate the legacy of civil rights leader John Lewis with community events and a peaceful march. The main march begins at 5:30 p.m. from Friendship Baptist Church, leading to the Center for African American History, Art and Culture, emphasizing unity and reflection on civil rights. Additional cultural events throughout the day include an art workshop, a free concert, and a production for children. Upcoming events include back-to-school initiatives and creative opportunities for families, all promoting community engagement.
Aiken, South Carolina – On July 17, 2025, Aiken County will host a series of community events and a peaceful march honoring civil rights leader John Lewis. Residents can also expect partly cloudy skies with a high temperature of 93°F and a low of 74°F.
The major event of the day will be a peaceful march starting at 5:30 p.m., which will commence from Friendship Baptist Church. Participants will gather to honor the legacy of John Lewis as they march towards the Center of African American History, Art and Culture. This event aims to promote unity and reflection on the ongoing struggle for civil rights.
In addition to the march, various cultural and artistic events are scheduled throughout the day. The Art History Slow Down and Look program at Better World Studios will take place from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. This workshop, led by Minna Heaton, will explore the intriguing theme of “Craft vs. Art: Textiles.”
Later in the evening, the AAA/SAB summer band will hold a free concert at 7 p.m. at 1651 Banks Mill Road. This concert was rescheduled from the original date of July 10 and promises to deliver an enjoyable evening filled with music.
For families with younger children, Porkchop Productions is staging “The Totally Twisted Tale of the Three Little Pigs” at Wagener Branch Library at 2:30 p.m. A second performance will be held at Nancy Carson Library the following day, July 18, at 10:30 a.m. This engaging production offers a fun adaptation of a classic story.
The following day, July 18, features a craft event titled Super T-Shirt Capes at Aiken County Public Library at 11 a.m., where participants are encouraged to bring their own t-shirts. This interactive event will give children the opportunity to create their own superhero capes from simple materials.
Looking ahead to the weekend, several community initiatives are lined up for July 19. The Back to School Bash will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Roy Warner Park and include music, food, and a backpack giveaway for students preparing for the upcoming school year. Simultaneously, a Back 2 School Extravaganza and Supply Giveaway will be hosted at New Ellenton Community Center from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Additionally, the Chandler Law Firm will facilitate their Fit 4 School event at Aiken County Family Y from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., providing resources and support for families preparing for the school year. Meanwhile, the Friends of the Aiken County Historical Museum will host a Family Fun Day at 11 a.m., inviting families to engage in various activities at no cost.
On July 20, St. Peter Missionary Baptist Church will hold Usher’s Anniversary service at 3 p.m. and the Quakers will conduct a virtual service at 10 a.m.
The community efforts continue on July 21 with a session of the Savannah River Stringband from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church. This will be followed by a Vigil for Peace and Nonviolence organized by Aiken Women in Black and Moms Demand Action from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Whiskey Road.
The Savannah River Site Citizens Advisory Board meeting is set for July 22 at 8:30 a.m. at the Center for African American History, and it is open to the public with prior registration. For adults seeking a creative outlet, a Sip & Paint event will occur at Aiken County Public Library at 10:30 a.m. on the same day.
Regular support groups, including Back to Basics AA and Awesome Aiken Al-Anon, will continue to meet as scheduled. Furthermore, the Savannah River Site Museum offers free admission to its Cold War exhibits from Wednesday to Saturday.
Finally, an Artists & Authors evening featuring Stan Nahman will take place on July 24 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., with a dinner cost of $75, presenting another opportunity for residents to engage with local art and literature.
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Additional Resources
- WFXG: Aiken Continues Flushing Water System
- Wikipedia: Aiken, South Carolina
- WLTX: I-20 Bridge Collapse in Aiken County
- Google Search: Aiken South Carolina
- WFXG: Roads Closed in Aiken County Due to Tornado Damage
- Encyclopedia Britannica: South Carolina
- WJBF: 10-Day Forecast
- Google News: Aiken News
Author: STAFF HERE AIKEN
The AIKEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAiken.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Aiken, Aiken County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Aiken Horse Show, Aiken Bluegrass Festival, and polo matches at Whitney Field. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Aiken Chamber of Commerce and the Aiken County Historical Museum, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and tourism that power the local economy such as Bridgestone and the Aiken County Visitors Center. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAiken.com, HEREBeaufort.com, HEREChapin.com, HERECharleston.com, HEREClinton.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGeorgetown.com, HEREGreenwood.com, HEREGreenville.com, HEREHiltonHead.com, HEREIrmo.com, HEREMyrtleBeach.com, HERENewberry.com, HERERockHill.com, and HERESpartanburg.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
