Downtown New Kensington business leaders are hoping they can get a boost Saturday when people begin their holiday shopping.

The fifth annual Shop Small Crawl will take place in Downtown New Kensington from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Residents want a downtown they can visit,” said Michelle Thom, event organizer and operations manager of Voodoo Brewing and Olde Towne Overhaul. “In order to keep that, we have to support local.”

Thirty small businesses are involved in this year’s event, Thom said.

“I don’t believe there’s other cities or towns that do it on this scale,” she said. “It’s a joint effort between small businesses and bringing New Kensington back to life. We’re all working toward a common goal.”

There’s also a friendly competition to encourage people to participate. People can pick up maps for the event at Sweet Tillies, Trovo Co., Steel Cup and Voodoo Brewing.

Participating businesses are along Fifth and Fourth avenues, and Seventh, 11th and Barnes streets. They’re separated into four zones.

To be entered into a raffle, shoppers need to collect five stamps in each zone by visiting a business, Thom said. Raffle baskets include items donated from the businesses.

“It’s an incentive to visit more businesses, and they can get a prize package,” Thom said. “It’s fun; people like to compete.”

Thom said her goal is to attract more than 1,000 people. That would be more than last year, she said.

“There’s a lot of new businesses here, there’s also some that have done it all five years,” Thom said. “It’s a good chance to see old favorites, and hopefully new favorites.”

Mayor Tom Guzzo looks forward to the crawl.

“The Shop Small Crawl is a great event for people to support our downtown shops, and it’s getting larger with more participants every year,” Guzzo said. “There are so many new shops and restaurants and bakeries for people to try. It’s also a great opportunity for people who have not been downtown recently to discover all that’s going on.

“It is vitally important that we patronize and support our small local businesses. These owners pour their heart and souls into their businesses, and small businesses are the lifeblood of a successful town.”

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