Smoked pork and beef brisket from Papa Russ' BBQ, hot dogs and chili dogs from City Billiards, shrimp and Creole sausage over rice and chocolate fudge with homemade ice cream from Up & Away Balloons and Fudge will be among the menu items for the 11th annual A Taste of Downtown Aiken on Tuesday.

All of these dishes can be tasted during a stroll along the streets of downtown Aiken, which sets the event apart from similar ones in other cities, according to Carla Cloud, executive director of the Aiken Downtown Development Association and an event organizer.

"Larger cities tend to rent a hall, and all of the restaurants bring their things to the municipal building," she said. "Aiken is unique. It's all downtown, and you can walk to it."

Fourteen restaurants and food retailers will participate in the event, scheduled from 5 to 7:30 p.m.

Ms. Cloud said she's excited about a new partnership at this year's event. Students from Aiken High School's Culinary Arts Department will be volunteering. "These students go to competitions," she said.

Working with different restaurateurs will help them in those contests, she said.

"It's a win-win situation. It's good experience for them," she said.

About 300 people attended last year's event, and Ms. Cloud said they expect that many this year. Only 300 tickets will be sold to ensure that the business owners prepare enough food. Last year, there was an unexpected rush on the day of the event.

"Some of the businesses ran out of food," she said.

Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 on event day. The event is a fundraiser for the Aiken Downtown Development Association. For more information, call (803) 649-2221.

Reach Charmain Z. Brackett at charmain.brackett@augustachronicle.com.