Residents searching for new ways to decorate on a budget should mark Thurs., Nov. 20, on their calendars.

The Covington County Extension Office will host its Second Annual Holiday Festival Thurs., Nov. 20, at the Oakwood Lodge on Brooklyn Road in Andalusia located behind the Piggly Wiggly, formerly the Corner Market, from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.

Bridgette Griffin, food safety specialist at the extension office, said those who wish to attend the event should register as soon as possible to secure a spot at the event by paying the $5 registration fee.

“There is not a set deadline for registration,” Griffin said. “I would just like people to pre-register just so that I can have an idea of how many people to prepare for. I already have about 20 people registered for the event and hope to see several more.”

The guest speaker for the event will be Edward Byrd, an Enterprise native designer who has appeared on HGTV’s “Designer’s Challenge” and has spent several years decorating homes in Beverly Hills. Byrd said he will show those who attend how to decorate on a budget.

“It will really be holiday decorating that anyone can do,” he said. “We will demonstrate what they can do with items purchased from local shops. I will show them some different ways to put items together and decorate on a budget. Many of the items will probably be found at the local dollar store.”

Byrd, who has opened an interior design shop in New Brockton, said he recently held a similar workshop in his home town of Enterprise and received a great response.

“We expected 50 people to attend and we had 250,” he said. “It was kind of a cool thing. You would think that showing someone how to make a placemat from things you find on the shelf wouldn’t work, but I have gotten a lot of good feedback from it.”

Maurice’s and TLC Boutique and Salon will also present a fashion show during the event and those who attend will also receive a free holiday cookbook filled with simple and tasty ideas for preparing holiday favorites.

There will be finger foods and refreshments will be available during the festival and door prizes will be given away throughout the night.

For more information about the event or to pre-register contact Bridgette Griffin at the Covington County Extension Office by dialing (334) 222-1125 or by e-mail at bgriffin@auburn.edu. For information about Edward Byrd visit his Web site at http://www.edwardbyrdinteriors.com.