Downtown Westminster saw one of its largest crowds ever for the annual Midnight Madness event in September.
City officials and local business owners believe that trend of large crowds will continue with Saturday's annual Small Business Saturday promotion.
"If we are trending in a similar trajectory as we have seen with other events this year, I would say we will have a big crowd," said Missie Wilcox, a marketing consultant with the City of Westminster.
Small Business Saturday is an American Express national initiative, which encourages holiday shoppers to shop at local small businesses instead of visiting big-box stores.
"This is the community's opportunity to really take advantage of all that is local," WIlcox said.
Sherry Hosfeld Joseph, owner of Birdie's Cafe on East Main Street, said local business owners always look forward to large crowds throughout the holiday season beginning with the weekend after Thanksgiving.
She added that Westminster is a community very conscience of the effect shopping local has.
"We're already busy," she said. "Eventually, everyone ends up on Main Street because everything you need is on Main Street."
Many businesses along Main Street will have special sales for shoppers Saturday.
Birdie's, for example, will offer an additional $5 on every gift card purchase between $5 and $50. For gift card purchases over $50, Birdie's will give a bonus $10.
For a full list of special sales for Small Business Saturday, visit http://westminstermd.gov/miracleonmain/smallbusinesssaturday.html.
In addition to Small Business Saturday, Westminster will host its annual Miracle on Main Street Holiday Electric Parade and tree lighting ceremony Saturday (See story on the right).
The parade begins at 5 p.m. with the tree lighting on Locust Lane immediately after the parade.