Jared Sullivan, Butler Downtown president, shows some of the silent auction baskets available at the Butler County Symphony Association office on Small Business Saturday, which will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

Residents will have an opportunity Saturday to kick off their holiday shopping while scoring some deals at businesses in Butler's quaint and diverse downtown.

Small Business Saturday will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. downtown.

Jared Sullivan, president of Butler Downtown, said the program will provide a fun excursion for shoppers while introducing them to the many and varied stores, shops, services, breweries and restaurants that operate on and around Main Street.

“I don't think people realize how much there is to offer on Main Street in Butler,” Sullivan said, “and it's a good kickoff to get ready for the (Spirit of Christmas) parade that night.”

Participants should start at the Butler County Symphony Association office at the corner of Main and East Diamond streets to pick up their “passports,” which they can have stamped at various downtown businesses.

“All of the businesses are in order where you need to stop on your tour through town,” Sullivan said.

Shoppers can then return to the symphony office with their full passport to turn it in for a chance to win a prize basket made up of merchandise and gift certificates from downtown businesses. The winner will be announced at 2 p.m., Sullivan said.

Shoppers can also take a selfie in front of a downtown store and share it on the Butler Downtown Facebook page for a chance to win a $50 gift card.

The Butler County Symphony Association will also have a number of themed baskets that shoppers can win in a silent auction, and tickets for the first Butler Downtown monthly 50/50 drawing will be available for $5 apiece.

Sullivan said that while online shopping thrives, brick-and-mortar stores are making a comeback with younger shoppers.

“I think there's a generational push to get people back into the downtowns,” he said.

In addition to picking up items on their gift lists, shoppers can enjoy a hot coffee or cold beer while they attend the event.

“We are really lucky in Butler that we have a couple breweries downtown,” Sullivan said. “I'm a big brew guy.”

Henry Monday Jr., a partner at the 109-year-old Monday's Boots and Shoes on North Main Street, said he sees an increase in store traffic on Small Business Saturday. But even more exciting than increased sales, Monday said, is the sight of shoppers on the downtown sidewalks.

“It reacquaints people with small businesses,” Monday said. “They get tied up in the Internet and online shopping and they lose the personal touch.”

Ron Olsen and partner Marilyn Balaseck own Nellie's boutique on Main Street.

“I am hoping that more people will do what I consciously do and buy local on everything,” Olsen said, “and I will pay more to purchase locally.”

Ryan Bowser, co-owner of Benjamin Beetle on Main Street, said Small Business Saturday brings people to his store who might not otherwise visit to peruse the unique fair-trade apparel, locally made jewelry and handblown glass available there.

Sullivan urges shoppers to stay for the Spirit of Christmas Parade at 5:30 p.m.

“I love that the parade is at night and you see the lights on Main Street and the trees in Diamond Park,” Sullivan said. “It just has that feeling of Christmas.”