Spring is sprung without us: Cancelled events
In the four weeks since USC Aiken’s spring break, fear of spreading the COVID-19 disease caused a cascade of cancellations and closures that is rocking our world. In the quiet town of Aiken, nearby in Augusta, on and off-campus, no community member, student or otherwise remains unscathed.
The reins have been jerked way back for equine events: the Aiken Steeple Chase Association’s March 21 race and related events were canceled, so too were the Aiken Horse Park Foundation's Charity Horse Shows I and II.
The 104th Aiken Horse Show in Hitchcock Woods is now scheduled for Sept. 25, 26 and 27.
USCA canceled Pacers and Polo March 28. Aiken Polo Club still plans to open its Sunday series, The APC Pro-Am Invitational, April 19, at 3 p.m., on Whitney Field.
Currently, the sixty miles of trails in Hitchcock Woods also remain open for equestrians and their mounts, and hikers and dogs.
In other sports, the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) has closed both college basketball and baseball seasons. The National Basketball Association (NBA) has postponed professional basketball games. Major League Baseball has suspended operations, cut short spring training, and postponed the opening of the season.
The Masters’ annual golf tournament and related events have been postponed. Runs and walks are canceled.
Water sports enthusiasts and fishermen’s activities have been curtailed with SC Governor McMaster closing the state’s public beaches, boat ramps, public lakes and rivers access points, and the entire South Carolina State Park System.
Here in the city of Aiken, while playgrounds have been closed, parks remain open.
In South Carolina, all K-12 schools, along with universities and technical colleges are closed until the end of April and events scheduled there or normally available are no longer going to happen. In Georgia, all K-12 schools are closed through the end of the school year.
If you were going to a big concert soon in Augusta, it is off. All April 2020 events scheduled at Augusta Entertainment Complex, James Brown Arena and Bell Auditorium have been postponed until further notice.
"Broadway's Next Hit Musical," the cultural season finale on campus at the Etheridge Center has been rescheduled for Oct. 27. The Aiken Community Theatre shows have been canceled through the spring.
If you want to see a movie, you will have to look online as all movie theaters are also closed.
The Aiken County Farmers Market, Aiken Visitors Center. Train Museum and County Historical Museum are closed through April 17.
Seventy-eight area restaurants remain open for takeout orders only.
Let’s try not to overeat and stay safe while you creatively fill your time while properly social distancing.
