Things to do: Black Friday, Small Business Saturday make for holiday shopping weekend

Even though we all kind of dread it, the weekend after Thanksgiving is one of the best times to knock out any remaining holiday shopping.

It's also the time when you can find the best deals and support local businesses.

1. Christmas markets, open houses & pictures with Santa

For holiday shopping, as well as pictures with Santa, there are several local businesses diving into the holiday spirit this weekend.

A Balloon Shop in downtown Columbia will host its a Christmas Open House from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, which includes pictures with Santa, multiple store discounts and refreshments. Kids will also receive a holiday goodie bag.

The McNeese Family Farm, 1116 Carters Creek Pike, will host its Merry McNeese Family Farm Christmas from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. The free event will include multiple vendors and food trucks, as well as free pictures with Santa and Christmas items from local businesses.

Vintage 615, 5075 Main St. in Spring Hill, will host its annual photos with Santa from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. Be sure to follow the shop's Facebook page for a link to register, as well as holiday themed items that will be for sale.

Keg Springs Winery, 361 Keg Springs Road in Hampshire, will host a Sip & Shop event from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday. In addition to free hot chocolate and cookies, the winery will be featuring its mulled wine and wine slushies. The event will also include food vendors and items by local craft artisans.

2. Spring Hill's 5th annual Turkey Burn for TN Children's Home

Once the Thanksgiving meal ends, it's time to "burn off" a few of those extra calories and raise money for a good cause with the return of Spring Hill's fifth annual Turkey Burn.

Just like in previous years, this year's race will include a half marathon and 5k, as well as a 5k "fun run" for kids.

Registration will be open through Friday at www.RunSignUp.com and is $70 for the half marathon and $40 for the 5k.

The races will begin at 7:30 a.m. Saturday at Spring Hill High School, 1 Raider Lane, where each race will start and finish.

All proceeds from the event, which is being sponsored by Great White Express Car Wash, will benefit the Tennessee Children's Home's new Spring Hill campus, which recently opened off Dr. Robertson Road.

3. Mustache Madness 2021 at Bad Idea

As November began, many local men faced the clippers and pledged their duty to grow their best mustache during this month to raise awareness for men's health issues.

As "Movember" comes to a close, Bad Idea Brewing, 307 W. 11th St. in the Columbia Arts Building, will host Mustache Madness this Saturday to raise money, as well as award the ones who have grown their best whiskers.

The event starts at noon Saturday, and will feature live music, as well as an opportunity to shop at the CAB's many local vendors, in addition to food trucks and Bad Idea's selection of locally-made craft beers.

4. David & Lori Phelps' Christmas Barn Bash

It isn't Christmas in Maury County without another great Barn Bash concert hosted by Grammy and Dove Award-winning gospel singer David Phelps.

This year's Christmas Barn Bash concerts will once again take place at David and Lori Phelps' Farm, 2659 Culleoka Highway, with two shows beginning at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Gates to the farm will open at 4 p.m. each day, with doors to the barn opening at 5:30 p.m.

For tickets and more information, as well as any other upcoming Phelps' performance dates, visit www.DavidPhelps.com. Tickets are also available at www.iTickets.com or by calling 1-800-965-9324.

And be sure to grab tickets fast, as the annual Christmas Barn Bash shows tend to always sell out each year.

5. Live entertainment

This weekend's lineup of live music might look slim compared to your typical Maury County weekend, but that's no less reason to come out and support these local artists.

Reggie Murray and Friends will perform as part of "Go Tell It ... A Jazzy Christmas" at Vintage Winery, 616 N. Main St., starting at 6 p.m. Friday.

The Bird & The Bear will perform at Bad Idea Brewing, 307 W. 11th St. in the Columbia Arts Building, starting at 7 p.m. Friday. Muletown Pizza food truck will also be parked at Bad Idea starting at 3 p.m.

Gary Anderson will perform at DB's Eats and Beats, 1144 Riverside Drive, starting at 6 p.m. Friday.

Austin Tyler Jones will perform at Vanh Dy's in downtown Columbia starting at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Jay Powell covers events and entertainment for The Daily Herald. Contact him at jpowell@c-dh.net or follow him on Twitter @JayPowellCDH.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Things to do: Black Friday, Small Business Saturday make for holiday shopping weekend