This weekend in Aiken, SC

Shop local at the Aiken County Farmers Market for fresh produce like corn, tomatoes, beans, and fruit, plus baked goods and local meats and cheeses. Vendors set up on tables built by Aiken County farmers and families with a long history, and it is also a great place to chat, swap recipes, and meet neighbors. The market is open year-round and is described as open-air/covered. Note that vendors may not always be at the market during listed hours depending on season and product availability, and it may run until the farmers sell out.

The Eventing Academy Schooling Dressage & Stadium is an unrecognized horse show where riders can school and compete across the dressage and stadium phases. Competitors can also use the cross-country field for schooling on Friday, and there are additional options on Sunday including an unrecognized HT and rounds for dressage tests of choice, show jumping, and combined tests.

Learn how to support Great Oak through a welcoming volunteer training that introduces the many ways to help. Volunteers are vital to each participant’s experience, individual sessions may rely on several helpers, and no prior horse experience is required. Training is provided for every role, and some positions do not involve working with animals. Opportunities include assisting during lessons as a side walker or horse leader, helping in the barn, caring for the grounds, providing administrative support, and more. Internships are also available for high school and college students. For details, contact Grace Jackson, Volunteer Services Manager, at grace@greatoakeap.org or 803-226-0056.

Spend a Saturday with the Aiken County Historical Museum at their Family Fun Days, featuring different history-themed activities each month. For August 8, the program includes a Teddy Bear Tea Time at 10:00 AM and a Hot Take on Tea at 11:00 AM. It’s free and family-friendly, but reservations are required for these August 8 sessions.

An offsite pet adoption event at Tractor Supply in Aiken brings shelter pets directly to attendees. The day includes favorite brews and ample opportunities to meet animals that could become a future companion. It is suited to those interested in adopting and to anyone who simply wants to spend time with friendly pets.

Aiken Yarn Crafters gathers at Panera Bread for a relaxed meetup focused on knitting, crochet, and other fiber arts, paired with friendly conversation. Drop in for a short visit or settle in for a longer stretch, whatever works for you. All skill levels are welcome, from first timers to longtime makers, and any type of fiber craft is embraced.

Radioactive Pinball Arcade teams up with the Stern Army to unveil Stern Pinball’s new Transformers machine with a launch party filled with competition, prizes, and unlimited play. A $20 all-day pass includes free play on more than 125 arcade and pinball games, and there is no separate tournament entry fee. The tournament runs through six rounds of group match play, then the field narrows to either the top 16 or top 8 based on attendance for the playoffs. Two elimination stages follow, and the final four face off in a two-round championship to determine the winner. The competition is IFPA ranked. Prizes are awarded to the top four finishers, with official Stern Pinball items and random drawings throughout the day offering additional chances to win. Players of all experience levels can enjoy an early look at the latest Transformers pinball release at South Carolina’s largest pinball arcade.

At Good Girl Brewing Co, an offsite adoption event brings shelter pets to a relaxed brewery setting. Guests can meet adoptable dogs, learn about the shelter and its programs, and support a local business that cares about animals. Friends and families are welcome, and well behaved personal dogs can come too. Expect a friendly community vibe, plenty of tail wags, and the chance to find a new best friend alongside refreshing brews.

Marking its second anniversary, It’s All About You Sis celebrates a journey rooted in faith, sisterhood, and purpose. The gathering emphasizes cheerful connection alongside thoughtful moments of gratitude and reflection, honoring the growth of this organization and the community around it. Just Checking On You Sis.

A meet and greet at Odell Weeks spotlights Hope in Action’s support for youth, veterans, families with limited incomes, and other underserved community members. The organization leads community outreach, connects people with resources, provides mentorship, and is working toward upcoming affordable housing initiatives, guided by the belief that every person deserves dignity and stability. Pelican snoballs will be in the parking lot.

Take part in line dancing at Aiken County Shrine Club. Entry is $7 each.

Enjoy an evening of laughter at Post 26, open to everyone in the community. Tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Proceeds from ticket sales help fund Combat Zone 360 and its efforts to combat veteran suicide.

Celebrate Silver Bluff Audubon Sanctuary’s annual Storks & Corks with a relaxed summer evening featuring light food, beverages, and good company. The celebration runs in the evening and highlights more than 50 years of conservation, education, and habitat stewardship.

Join the DuPont Planetarium for “Backyard Wilderness,” a one-hour planetarium show that highlights fascinating wildlife living right around home. The program features seasonal footage captured from inside dens and nests, plus views from the forest floor and pond bottom, and it includes a live “sky tonight” segment. The show is appropriate for all ages.

Catch Marty Stuart and Molly Tuttle live at Bell Auditorium in Augusta, GA. The show is scheduled for 8:00 PM local venue time.

Celebrate the launch of Stern Pinball’s new Transformers machine with a youth IFPA tournament at Radioactive Pinball Arcade. This event is designed for young players ages 4 to 17, welcoming all skill levels from first-time competitors to seasoned point chasers. Youth participants can enter by purchasing a $20 all-day play pass, and one parent or guardian receives complimentary admission to support their player. There is no separate tournament entry fee. The competition is IFPA sanctioned and features four rounds of head-to-head play, focusing on friendly competition and good sportsmanship. Prizes await the top finishers. Between rounds, players can explore more than 125 pinball machines and arcade games. Themed as Optimus Prime’s Pinball Academy, the day offers a chance to build flipper skills, make new friends, and enjoy plenty of smiles and high fives.