"We're trying to get our community together to celebrate all of our fantastic small businesses," says DSB Operations and Outreach Manager, Erik Krueger. "We want our downtown businesses to participate in as many ways as possible."

 

On Saturday, November 30, Downtown Santa Barbara is taking over the 00 Block of West Ortega Street (12:00 pm to 5:00 pm) for a Small Business Saturday "Block Party" displaying various businesses under festival tents with tables filled with marketing and promotional materials. "Stores, restaurants, galleries, all businesses are encouraged to supply any kind of marketing collateral they have - coupons, mini-menus, brochures, fliers, 2-for-1 offers - to display on the tables" says Krueger. 

Small Business Saturday shoppers will find lively music, tables and chairs for relaxing, games including Cornhole, Downtown Trivia, and Spin the Wheel, with prizes donated by businesses, and a festive atmosphere to discover or rediscover downtown businesses.

 

One of the new "avenues of participation" this year includes downtown restaurants' participation: "Sampling State." At 12:00 pm, restaurateurs are encouraged to step outside with samples of their fare. "Our goal with Sampling State is to engage restaurants, enabling each to offer small bites from their great menus with the hope of inspiring more patrons in the door, especially during the busy holiday season," says Krueger.

 

During the six years DSB has been hosting Small Business Saturday, Holiday Horns has also been a welcomed tradition. This year, they will perform tunes of the season on Marshalls' Patio (900 State Street, from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm), enhancing shoppers/samplers experience by spreading the holiday spirit with their music. Another new aspect of this year's event is the ability for businesses to host sidewalk sales, providing yet another opportunity for businesses to display their merchandise and engage with the public.  

W e are excited to honor Heal the Ocean as the 2019 Holiday Parade Grand Marshal, sponsored by Michael Hurley and Nora McNeely Hurley and the Manitou Fund. Heal The  Ocean was formed in August 1998 by Founder and Executive Director Hillary Hauser. HTO is a citizens' action group that focuses on wastewater infrastructure - sewers and septic systems - as well as ocean dumping practices that have contributed to ocean pollution. 

HTO efforts are focused on Santa Barbara County, but their methods are now serving as a model for other coastal communities across the country.  

"It was incredibly fitting to choose them as Grand Marshal - with the theme of 'A Tropical Holiday', it was a great opportunity to celebrate their tireless efforts to protect one of Santa Barbara's greatest assets," said Carrie Kelly, Executive Director for Downtown Santa Barbara.  

December 5-22

at Ensemble Theatre Company at The New Vic: