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Santa, it seems, made his appearance already, delighting children all around Butler, Lowndes and Crenshaw counties by stopping in for photo opportunities over the weekend.

And at more than a few holiday season openers, Santa brought along his bright green friend, the Grinch.

Early Saturday morning, the pair was spotted in downtown Greenville at a children’s breakfast hosted by the Greenville Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Hardee’s and the Greenville Parks and Recreation Department. After feasting on breakfast sandwiches, rather than roast beast, Santa worked off the calories taking photos with local children while the Grinch honed his basketball skills in a little one-on-one hoop action.

After making an appearance during holiday open houses at Tayla and Pearl’s Attic Finds and The Shoppes on Main, Santa traveled up US Interstate Highway 65 for the Town of Hayneville Christmas Parade. Parade goers donated unwrapped toys to help the efforts of Toys for Tots, an organization working hard to provide a very merry Christmas to Lowndes and Butler County Children.

Crenshaw County kicked off its Christmas festivities on Tuesday, Dec. 3, when Santa stopped by the library for his annual photo and craft visit. Later in the week he joined Mickey and Minnie Mouse at a Christmas tree lighting before spending the weekend with his Grinchy friend taking snapshots with area children at Sylvia’s Produce in Lapine.

It seems like not even a month ago community members were sweating in 80-degree weather. Now we are all humming “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” thanks to events like these. Dr. Seuss’s Grinch must still have a heart growing with love for the community to make an appearance at so many festive celebrations, igniting the Christmas spirit in all of our hearts just in time to hang up the holly and finish our holiday shopping.

Plenty more parades and celebrations are on the horizon and we look forward to helping share information about upcoming events. As we prepare to emphasize Christ’s birth, the very reason for the season, please send news about your Christmas events and programs to us at news@greenvilleadvocate.com.