The annual Small Business Saturday will take place Nov. 27, with 16 participating local businesses

With the holiday season almost here, the coming weekend promises to be fun and exciting, with events for the entire family.

One tradition that has been a part of Prineville for years is a variation of Black Friday, called Small Business Saturday. The emphasis is on promoting and encouraging locals to shop in Prineville this coming weekend.

Small Business Saturday, a promotion event for local businesses sponsored by Prineville-Crook County Chamber of Commerce, will launch this Saturday with an extensive list of local business participants and specials. Although it differs from traditional Black Friday events from previous years, the Nov. 27 promotional celebration will be similar to the event held in 2020.

Although Small Business Saturday is also a nationwide event, the Prineville-Crook County Chamber of Commerce additionally runs a program where businesses can sign up to be part of the promotion. The event was originally started by American Express, with the chamber taking it to the next level.

"The money we spend in Prineville makes a difference beyond our local retailers," expressed Kim Daniels, executive director for the chamber. "Small businesses create jobs and pay local taxes, so the dollars spent with them, goes back into our community. By doing your shopping at local small businesses, we can directly support our neighbors and help benefit the local economy."

She went on to say, "Small Business Saturday, although a national movement, is promoted locally by the Prineville-Crook County Chamber as a way to encourage the public to support member businesses and the specials and sales they are offering. But we encourage shoppers to hit any and all small businesses in town." 

Each business has its own promotions and specials. Daniels also noted that they will have a large number of swag bags and will randomly show up at different shops that are taking part in the promotion. Daniels and staff from the Chamber of Commerce will hand out swag bags to people who show up at locations that the chamber staff visit between 9 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. There will not be a schedule, but Daniels noted that they will pop into businesses and surprise them.The swag bags are sponsored by Facebook.

"This is a great day to support not only the Chamber Member Businesses, but all small businesses in Prineville. Get out and shop small," concluded Daniels.

The following businesses will be participating in the chamber promotion event for Small Business Saturday:

Bayberry Lane

Clothes Encounters

Gammie's Pampered Chef

Good Bike Co.

Meadow Lakes Golf Course

Meandering Maker

Painted Hills Leather

Rimrock Gallery

Sweet Willow & Co.

Terry's Jewelry & Gifts, Inc.

The Gypsy Barn

The Posie Shoppe

The Sage Door

The Vintage Cottage

Wagner's Market

Whiskey Darlin