Forget Black Friday, Shop Downtown

As big box stores around the country and the Commonwealth prepare for the wave of shoppers which will inundate them on what is traditionally the biggest shopping day of the year, Small Businesses are preparing for a day of their own  Small Business Saturday.

In Pottstown, Small Business Saturday will be celebrated with a scavenger hunt; a Happy Hour and the kick of a "Buy Local Raffle."

The scavenger hunt starts and 10 a.m. at Advantage Insurance, 105 E. High St., and ends at 12 p.m.

One first-place winner will win $100 in local gift cards; three second-place winners will win $50 in
local gift cards and two third-place winners will win $25 in local gift cards.

That's the same place Positively Pottstown's Happy Hour will take place from 4 to 7 p.m.

In the meantime, shoppers who buy a Holiday Raffle Ticket for $25 and spend $100 in downtown stores between Nov. 12 and Dec. 19 are eligible to win a $1,000 first prize or a $500 second prize.

But that's just the beginning.

The Pottstown Downtown Improvement District Authority's Hometown for the Holidays celebration kicks off the following week.

Here is a run-down of the events:

Saturday, Dec. 6

• 8 to 11 a.m.: Breakfast with Santa at Grumpy's, 137 E. High St. Cost is $10 per person, but kids under 3 eat free. Call 610-323-1232 to reserve tickets.
• 2 to 4 p.m.: Free trolley rides around the downtown.
• 2 to 7 p.m.: Carriage rides, $5 each. Pick up is at the front of borough hall, 100 E. High St.
• 2:30 p.m. through 5 p.m.: Every half hour, Story Time with the Elves at the Milkman Lunch Co., 250 E. High St.
• 5 p.m.: Santa arrives downtown for the tree lighting ceremony in Smith Family Plaza in front of borough hall.
• 5:30 to 7 p.m.: Pictures with Santa, also at Smith Family Plaza in front of borough hall.
• 5 to 7 p.m.: Roaming magician Kyle and Kelly throughout downtown.
• 7 to 9 p.m.: Live music at West End Alley, 107 E. High St. featuring local musician Tom Post.
• 8 p.m.: The Sound of Music at Steel River Playhouse, 254 E. High St. Go to www.steelriver.org for tickets.

Friday, Dec. 12

• 6 to 8 p.m.: Open House at ArtFusion 19464, 254 E. High St.
• 7 to 9 p.m.: Live music at West End Alley, 107 E. High St. featuring local musician Tom Post.
• 8 p.m.: The Sound of Music at Steel River Playhouse, 254 E. High St. Go to www.steelriver.org for tickets.

Saturday, Dec. 13

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Van Gogh's Shop at ArtFusion19464, 254 E. High St.
• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: John Gwinn Art Exhibit at West End Alley, 107 E. High St.
• 2 to 4 p.m.: Tree Decorating Party at Red Cloud Kung Fu, 307 E. High St.
• 2 to 7 p.m.: Carriage rides, $5 each. Pick up is at the front of borough hall, 100 E. High St.
• 2 to 7 p.m.: Pictures with Santa, also at Smith Family Plaza in front of borough hall.
• 2:30 p.m. through 5 p.m.: Every half hour, Story Time with the Elves at the Milkman Lunch Co., 250 E. High St.
• 3 to 5 p.m.: Rainbow the Clown, at Smith Family Plaza, 100 E. High St.
• 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.: Free movie "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" at Connections on High, 238 High St.
• 5 to 8 p.m.: Free Babysitting at Sitter's Clubhouse at 333 E. High St.
• 5 to 8 p.m.: Holiday date night. The free trolley will loop from downtown High Street to
  
  various stops throughout the borough, including Proximity Cafe, Cafe 990, Sly Fox Brewery and Manatawny Still Works.
• 7 to 9 p.m.: Live Music at West End Alley, 107 E. High St. featuring Mike Holiday.
• 8 p.m.: The Sound of Music at Steel River Playhouse, 254 E. High St. Go to www.steelriver.org for tickets.

Sunday, Dec. 14

• 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.: #Eatbrunchlikealocal, Live music at various restaurants in downtown for a Holiday Brunch, including Connections on High, Milkman, Lily's and Grumpy's
• 2 to 7 p.m.: Pottstown's Candlelight House Tour. tickets at Carter's Locksmith, 127 N. Hanover St., Grumpy's 137 E. High St., Proximity Cafe, 1450 E. High St., Kiss Accessories in the Coventry Mall.

Saturday, Dec. 20

• 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.: Van Gogh's Shop at ArtFusion19464, 254 E. High St.
  
• 2 to 4 p.m.: Tea with Mrs. Claus, the Sitter's Clubhouse, 333 E. High St.
• 2 to 7 p.m.: Carriage rides, $5 each. Pick up is at the front of borough hall, 100 E. High St.
• 2 to 7 p.m.: Pictures with Santa, also at Smith Family Plaza in front of borough hall.
• 2 to 4 p.m.: Roaming magician Kyle and Kelly throughout downtown.
• 2:30 p.m. through 5 p.m.: Every half hour, Story Time with the Elves at the Milkman Lunch Co., 250 E. High St.
• 3:30 and 5:30 p.m.: Free movie "The First Noel" at Connections on High, 238 High St.
• 7 p.m.: Drawing for Keeling it Local Raffle at PDIDA Office, 17 N. Hanover St.
• 7 to 9 p.m.: Live Music at West End Alley, 107 E. High St. featuring Paul Michal.
• 8 p.m.: The Sound of Music at Steel River Playhouse, 254 E. High St. Go to www.steelriver.org for tickets.