A growing class
The Aiken Adult Horticulture Class will meet at 7 p.m. on Mondays, except for major holidays, in the horticulture classroom of Aiken High School, 449 Rutland Drive, Aiken.
The class will offer hands-on training on growing and propagating plants. Annual dues are $60, which will cover cost of materials.
For more information, contact Winona Specht at (803) 649-2169.
Up, up and away
The Ford Trucks Equestrian America Balloon Festival will be held Friday through Sunday, Sept. 19-21, at the Aiken Polo Club fields on Powderhouse Road, Aiken.
The festival will include hot air balloons, an equestrian trade fair, junior equestrian exhibitions and more.
Admission will be free with a donation to the families of the servicemen and women of Fort Gordon.
For more information, call (706) 791-6779 or visit www.poloamerica.com.
Educated women
The American Association of University Women will have a meeting and recognition dinner at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 8, at the First Presbyterian Church of Aiken, Fellowship Hall, 224 Barnwell Ave. N.W., Aiken.
The AAUW is open to all graduates from accredited two- and four-year colleges and universities. New members are welcome.
For information and reservations, call (803) 642-7858 or (803) 641-9505 by Friday.
Art center exhibits
Artwork from the South Carolina Watermedia Society's 30th Annual Awards Exhibition will be on exhibition through Thursday in the first floor galleries at the Aiken Center for the Arts, 122 Laurens St. S.W., Aiken.
Also, the artwork of Ron Krenta will be on display in the Aiken Artist Guild Gallery until Friday.
The free exhibitions are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the art center. Call (803) 641-9094.
Rolling on the river
Paddlefest 2008 will be held Saturday on the Savannah River. The event will feature canoe and kayak races and a homemade raft competition.
The canoe and kayak races will launch from the Savannah Rapids Pavilion, 3300 Evans to Locks Road, Augusta. Check-in for the races begins at 7 a.m., with the races starting at 9 a.m.
The homemade raft competition will launch from the North Augusta Boat Ramp, Hammond's Ferry Road. Check-in for the raft race begins at 8 a.m. and the race starts at 9:30 a.m.
Deadline for advance registration is 5 p.m. Wednesday. Advance registration is $35. Registration after Wednesday is $45.
For more information, call (706) 755-4839 or visit www.paddlefestga.com.
Libraries closing
Libraries in the Aiken, Bamberg, Barnwell and Edgefield Regional Library System will be closed on Sunday, Aug. 31, and Monday, Sept. 1, for the Labor Day weekend.
Aiken's Makin'
The 32nd annual Aiken's Makin' festival will be held Friday and Saturday, Sept. 5 and 6, in downtown Aiken. The festival includes local and regional arts, crafts, food vendors and family entertainment. For more information, call (803) 641-1111.
Donations needed
Golden Harvest Food Bank is seeking donations of canned meats and vegetables and other nonperishable food items. Take donations to 13 Enterprise Ave., Aiken, or 3310 Commerce Drive, Augusta.
The Aiken branch can be reached at (803) 648-0752. The Augusta office can be reached at (706) 736-1199.
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