Aiken Downtown Development Association held its annual "Night of 1,000 Lights" event Dec. 7, and dozens of businesses accepted the invitation to decorate, offer some refreshments and stay open a little longer than usual, allowing customers (and potential customers) extra time to go shopping, have a Santa visit and enjoy some Christmas music and a festive evening downtown.

Aiken Standard reporter

Bill Bengtson is a reporter for the Aiken Standard. He has focused most recently on eastern Aiken County, agriculture, churches, veterans and older people. He previously covered schools/youth, North Augusta and Fort Gordon. He is a graduate of the University of Georgia and Whitman College, and also studied at Oregon State University and the University of Guadalajara.

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