PORT TOWNSEND — Black Friday — a rush of post-Thanskgiving sales — has become a part of the holiday season, but Small Business Saturday may be more Port Townsend’s speed.
“After Black Friday, a lot of people with families in town might want to go out shopping or have a bite to eat in a nice environment,” said Port Townsend Main Street Executive Director Mari Mullen.
“It’s a good kickoff to the holiday season, and we have 53 merchants participating. There will be lots of goodies.”
And music.
The Wild Rose Chorale will stroll through the uptown and downtown shopping areas from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. singing holiday carols and spreading seasonal cheer.
Small Business Saturday, sponsored by American Express, is also recognized across the country by towns who take advantage of a promotion for shoppers to receive $10 statements on their American Express cards when they spend $10 or more at participating merchants.
Port Townsend has participated in Small Business Saturday since 2010.
Mullen said not all of the participating stores accept the cards, but the promotions and support provided by the corporation benefit the entire town.
American Express has supplied 400 tote bags to be distributed throughout the day.
Participating merchants have agreed to offer special deals all day and stay open later for the event, Mullen said.
Two “do-it-yourself” wrapping stations will operate throughout the day at Uptown Nutrition, 1002 Lawrence St., and at 911 Water St. in the space left vacant by Artisans in Taylor.
Wrapping supplies will be available at no charge for those who want to wrap their own package, while assistance will be provided as a fundraiser.
More holiday events are planned in December.
A community tree-lighting ceremony, with caroling and a visit from Santa Claus, will take place at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, at Haller Fountain, Washington and Taylor streets.
The following Saturday, Dec. 14, will be the Victorian Yuletide Festival from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at World’s End, 1020 Water St.
Visitors can speak with Father Christmas, eat snacks and help deck the halls as performers sing, play and recite holiday favorites.
On the same day, a Victorian Holiday Homes Tour is set from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at three decorated residences.
The annual tour sponsored by the Victorian Society in America Northwest chapter will feature three Port Townsend homes: the 1890 Francis Wilcox James House, the 1980 J.W. Griffiths House and the 1887 Captain Thomas Grant House.
Tickets are $20 each before midnight Dec. 11 and $25 thereafter. Tickets are available at Vintage Hardware, 2000 Sims Way in Port Townsend, or online at www.vicfest.org.
For more about the yuletide festival, sponsored by Olympic Peninsula Steam, email info@op-s.net.
For more about Main Street, visit www.ptmainstreet.org.
For more information about Small Business Saturday, visit http://tinyurl.com/PDN-Saturday.
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Jefferson County Editor Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at cbermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
