Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Suddenly having your long-range schedule go from busy to the sounds of crickets chirping can be disconcerting for anyone, and that’s the position this Lifestyles writer found herself experiencing in 2020.

I can say I am truly looking forward to the next two weekends in Butler County. Although getting around to cover it all will be challenging for me, and I will still be wearing my masks and trying to social distance, having the opportunity to see some familiar faces, see a festive holiday ballet and to support craftspeople and small business owners, as well as gifted artisans from across the southeast, means a lot to me.

Here’s what coming up this Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5 and 6:

• The McKenzie Christmas Parade kicks off at 10 a.m. Saturday through the town’s main thoroughfare. It’s a big event for this little community and they always put on a fine parade.

• Three Arts Club of Georgiana and Chapman’s Annual Christmas Bazaar is set for 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Georgiana Nutrition Center on Palmer Ave. Plenty of delish home-baked goodies, crafts, white elephant items and more are on tap. Pick up your boxed lunch or buy chances on a red velvet cake. The bazaar will wrap up in time for you to grab a good spot to enjoy . . .

• The Georgiana Christmas Parade will kick off things at 2 p.m. from the old high school to wind up a fun and festive day in south Butler County.

The holiday cheer moves to Greenville and the Ritz Theatre on Saturday night.

• The Montgomery Ballet Theatre presents “The Nutcracker” with limited capacity seating at 7 p.m. They have put on several productions here in Greenville and I have thoroughly enjoyed every show. Few will have the chance to see a live ballet production this holiday season—so don’t miss out!

Born to shop? Like to do it close to home? Well, you can enjoy two different holiday markets in the Camellia City both Saturday and Sunday.

• The Greenville Holiday Market has grown enough to require a new home, the exhibit hall at the Butler County Fairgrounds. The two-day event is slated from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

“And we have a great addition to our market this year—the Grinch himself will be joining us on Saturday morning,” said Amy Hallford, event organizer.

Photo sessions with the Grinch start at 11 a.m. These sessions are $25 for 15 minutes; the edited photos will be sent as digital files to the customers after the event.

“If you want family or couple photos without the Grinch that morning, we suggest you arrive by 9:30 or 10 a.m. on Saturday,” said Hallford.

• Christmas at the Keep at the Alabama Medieval Festival Site at 4776 Fort Dale Road will offer a number of vendors from near and far offering their unique and tasty wares to attendees. The holiday market will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both Saturday and Sunday.

“We’ve had a wonderful crew of volunteers helping us prepare the site and a marvelous group of vendors planning to participate. We cannot wait to welcome you to our holiday market,” said Nancy Johnson, co-owner of ALMFF.

Hope to see some of you here, there (and everywhere!) while I am out and about in Butler County this weekend.