USCA kicks off the new school year with Downtown Takeover

Students, alumni, faculty, staff and members of the community to kick off the new academic year for USCA’s Downtown Takeover from 5-9 p.m. Aug. 22 in The Alley on Newberry St. 

In partnership with the Aiken Development Downtown Association (ADDA), the free, family-friendly celebration will once again transform downtown into a showcase of Pacer pride, featuring live entertainment by Velvet City Sound, activities, games, local food and beverages, and opportunities for the community to connect with the university.  

“We are excited to welcome the USCA Downtown Takeover back to Downtown Aiken,”  EmmaLee Sams, executive director of ADDA said. “This event is a wonderful reflection of our strong partnership with the university and provides an opportunity to bring students, faculty, staff and community members together in the heart of our city.”  

Now in its second year, Downtown Takeover builds on the momentum of last year's inaugural event, which celebrated the official launch of USCA's rebrand. The event welcomed hundreds of attendees from across the Central Savannah River Area.  

“The Downtown Takeover brings energy and excitement to downtown while supporting our local businesses and strengthening the connection between USCA, Downtown Aiken, and the greater community,” Sams said.  

This year's celebration will also honor several significant university milestones. Founded in 1961 as Aiken College, a two-year branch of the University of South Carolina, USCA will celebrate 65 years of providing transformative educational opportunities to the region. Since welcoming its first students, the university has grown into a nationally recognized comprehensive university serving thousands of students while remaining committed to academic excellence, community engagement and student success.  

In addition to the university's 65th anniversary, Downtown Takeover will recognize two other anniversaries:  

The 40th anniversary of the Cultural Series, which has brought nationally and internationally acclaimed performers, artists and speakers to the Aiken community since 1986.  

The 50th anniversary of the Gregg-Graniteville Library, a cornerstone of academic life on campus that has supported generations of students, faculty and researchers since opening in 1976.  

Kicks 99 will also be present with a guitar pull stop from 5-7 p.m. It’s one of the CSRA's most anticipated annual country music events. Hosted by KICKS 99, it brings together some of country music's biggest artists for a unique acoustic performance. 

The event will be co-hosted by Paul Crook, director of the Etherredge Center, and Cliff Bennett, host of The Morning Mix and a 1995 USCA graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.  

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