A look at fall festivals, holiday markets, ice skating & more fall activities in the Augusta area

Halloween has conjured its last scream for the year, but there’s plenty more fall fun to be had. Thanksgiving is the next big holiday, and in addition to football and feasting, it’s a great opportunity for turkey giveaways and food giveaways. It’s also the dawn of the holiday season, and there are already live Nutcracker performances and markets for buying the perfect gift on the community’s calendar.

November is also boasting more fall festivals offering all kinds of games, rides and live music to enjoy. Here are more details on these and some other fun things-to-do in the Augusta area:

Columbia County Fall Fair

Columbia County Fall Fair is one of the area’s last major fall fairs of the season. It returned for its 58th year on Nov. 2 and runs through the 12th at the Grovetown fairgrounds at 5462 Columbia Rd. The live entertainment is fairly diverse including a demolition derby, “Sea Lion Splash,” petting zoos and a master chainsaw carver. These are all in addition to the many rides and fair food vendors. General admission is $7 in advance and $10 at the gate. Fair hours very by day, and the full schedule is available at columbiacountyfair.net.

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Evans on Ice

One of Columbia County’s most popular holiday attractions, Evans on Ice, returns Nov. 9 through January to Evans Towne Center Park in Evans off Ronald Reagan Drive. Families can ice skate to their hearts’ delight, and when they need a break, they can relax with some roasted marshmallows and take a stroll around the park to check out the various light displays.

Hours of operation for the ice rink vary by day. Tickets start at $13. For more information, go to evansonice.com.

Fall festivals, feasts

Boondocks Farms’ Fall Fest is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 11 at the Jackson farm at 755 Foreman St. There will be vendors selling crafts and other gifts, food and live music.

A soup potluck dinner is scheduled for 6-8 p.m. Nov. 14 at Savannah River Brewing Co. in Augusta at 813 5th St.

Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church’s Fall Festival is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Augusta church at 720 Telfair St. There will be craft vendors, a silent auction, live music, games with prizes and food.

Harvest Time Ministries’ 11th annual Chili Cook Off is 2 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Evans ministry at 4534 Washington Rd. There will be door prizes as well as prizes for the best recipes. General admission (including dinner) is $5 but is free for children 10 and under.

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Live performances

Ukrainian Principal Artists’ “NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet” is 7 p.m. Nov. 20 at the Miller Theater in Augusta at 708 Broad St. Tickets start at $24 and are available at the box office and at millertheateraugusta.com.

“A Magical Cirque Christmas” is 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 at Columbia County Performing Arts Center in Evans at 1000 Market St. Tickets start at about $27. The venue is also presenting “A Charlie Brown Christmas: Live on Stage” at 7 p.m. Nov. 28. Tickets start at about $26. Tickets for both are available at thecenterofcc.com.

Taconhy Entertainment’s “Circus on Ice” is 4:30 and 7 p.m. Nov. 15 at the Imperial Theatre in Augusta at 745 Broad St. Tickets are $15 for children and $25 for adults. The Imperial is also hosting Colton Ballet’s “The Nutcracker” on Thanksgiving weekend. Shows are slated for 7 p.m. Nov. 24, and at 1 and 5 p.m. Nov. 25 and 26. Tickets start at $17. Tickets for both are available at the box office and at imperialtheatre.com.

Markets, small business events

Lakeside High School’s PTSO Fall Vendor Fair is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 11 outside the Evans school at 533 Blue Ridge Dr. There will be a variety of vendors, food trucks, face painting, and a pro photographer providing holiday card pictures.

Sacred Heart’s annual Holiday Market and Guild Bake Sale is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 16 at the Augusta cultural center at 343 13th St. There will be local and regional vendors as well as homemade baked goods and multiple presentations. For the full schedule, go to sacredheartaugusta.org.

Our Savior Episcopal Church’s 4th annual Holiday Craft Market is 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Augusta church at 4227 Columbia Rd. There will be hamburgers and hotdogs available for hungry shoppers.

 Leavelle McCampbell Middle’s 5th annual Mistletoe Market is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Graniteville school at 1120 Weldon Way. There will be vendors, concessions and a raffle.

Harlem High’s Holiday Vendor Festival is 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Harlem school at 1070 Appling Harlem Rd.

Downtown Augusta’s 3rd annual Small Business Saturday Crawl returns 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 25. This marks the “Black Friday” of small business shopping, and Augusta’s will include 14 downtown merchants offering various sales and activities. Limited edition buttons are available at each merchant, and the more participating businesses you visit, the more entries you get in the event’s raffle. For a full list of the participants, go to the event’s Facebook page.

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Givebacks and giveaways

Augusta Dream Center’s Thanksgiving Meal and Turkey Giveaway is 5-6 p.m. Nov. 19 at the Augusta organization’s HQ at 3358 Peach Orchard Rd. The giveaway is first-come, first-serve but everyone is welcome to the sit-down meal following the giveaway. Those interested in volunteering or sponsoring a meal should check out the event’s Facebook page.

The James Brown Turkey Giveaway returns 8 a.m. Nov. 20 in the James Brown Arena parking lot in downtown Augusta at 601 7th St. Those interested can register 9-11 a.m. Nov. 11 inside the James Brown Arena. Registrants need a valid state ID, current power bill or lease agreement. Those needing more information can email info@jamesbrownfamilyfdn.org or call (803) 640-2090.

Did we miss a fun event coming soon? Contact Miguel Legoas at mlegoas@augustachronicle.com.