MILFORD — When local stores open their doors Saturday, they will be anticipating a bump in sales with the annual Small Business Saturday event.

And the Milford business community is ready.

“Shop Small Business Saturday is a chance for you to support your local businesses in the heart of historic Milford. It is a time to think ‘Small’ and shop ‘Small’ to show your support and reinvest in your community because independent business give back to their home town,” Downtown Milford, Inc.’s new Executive Director Murrie Zlotziver said in a press release.

“There are lots of ways to participate this year in Small Business Saturday.

“As a Milford resident, you can go shopping or dining at a small business, invite friends to shop and it’s never too early to tackle that holiday gift list.”

The fun doesn’t stop with the shops, however.

Mr. Zlotziver says Santa Claus will arrive at home at 11 a.m. on a blazing red fire truck from Carlisle Fire Department with a police escort Saturday to commemorate the start of the holiday season.

He will visit with children young and old every Friday from 5-7:30 p.m. and Saturdays and Sundays from 11-3 p.m. through Dec. 23.

Visiting children will receive a photo with Santa Claus and a handmade stocking filled with candy.

They will also be entered into a weekly drawing for a downtown Milford gift certificate.

Visitors to the Santa House will be able to pick up Shop Small tote bags with a list of the various downtown shops.

Free gift wrapping will be available with a receipt at The Music School of Delaware.

In addition, Downtown Milford, Inc. will be introducing its new Downtown Milford Gift Certificate.Shoppers will have the opportunity to take a chance for $1 to pop a balloon and possibly win a gift certificate valued at $25, $50, $75 and $100 which can be used to shop or dine at over 15 local Milford businesses — with the list growing daily, according to Mr. Zlotziver.

The money collected from balloon sales will be donated to Toys for Tots.

A current sampling of participating businesses include Dolce Café, Milford Antiques, Arenas, Irish Rose, Gallery 37, Abbott’s Grill, Red Bandana, Elegant Styles, Fur Babies, Lifecycle and more.