AIKEN, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - The annual Blessing of the Hounds ceremony took place Thursday morning at Hitchcock Woods Memorial Gate.

The ceremony, a community favorite and longstanding Thanksgiving tradition, is part of the Aiken Hounds’ Opening Meet, which officially kicks off Aiken’s busy hunt season.

The ceremony pays homage to the traditions of fox hunting and the skilled hounds of the sport.

Although it’s based on fox hunting, no animals are harmed in the hunt.

Instead, cloth saturated with fox scent is dragged across the ground to create a trail for the hounds to follow.

Mounted riders follow the pack during the artificial chase.

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