We just returned from our trip to the Carolinas. On our last day, our friend took us for a pleasant walk through downtown Aiken, SC. The day was sunny and warm, and it was pretty quiet on the main drag, with its angle-parking (free!), and little shops and restaurants.

It seems that the Downtown Association of Aiken was having a contest to see which shop could do the best Halloween decoration/ exhibit in front of their store. People in Aiken are very creative.

Nice, but this elaborate display gets my vote for the most elaborate and funny. Top notch! I am going to post each photo alone, as the display had so many elements, and the theme was ideal too.

Almost the best part of this awesome display was the name of the little restaurant that did it. The Vampire Penguin! See their logo in the picture above this one. I would actually have voted for this one, if the poll hadn’t been on their Facebook page. I avoid all Meta properties.

Now, this guy wasn’t strictly part of the Halloween contest, but I think he qualifies anyway. Aiken is Horse Country!

This restaurant sign wasn’t part of the contest either, but it sure is funny and imaginative!

We sure left Aiken in a jolly mood. I am looking forward to returning there.

In keeping with the spirit of fun, here’s the last intersection I saw on our way out of town and back to the airport to fly home.

Happy Friday!