With large retail chain stretching their store hours into Thanksgiving evening, and creating a competitive “door busters” shopping environment on Black Friday, the Small Business Saturday promotion is a voice to remember the little guys in the retail arena.

The Saturday event strives to promote local businesses and bring a local flavor back to the holiday shopping season. It takes place each year on the Saturday following Thanksgiving, and was founded by American Express in 2010 as a way to encourage communities to shop at local businesses during the busiest shopping season of the year.

“We have a lot of good products and great entrepreneurial adventures out here that strive to be unique,” said Joe Unterreiner, president and chief executive officer of the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce. “Small businesses really are the backbone of this community.”

Even though this year marks only the second official Small Business Saturday for Kalispell — and the first for Whitefish — both Chamber of Commerce organizations have had solid participation from area businesses, including retailers, specialty stores and restaurants.

Kalispell has more than 60 businesses signed up, and over 40 are on board in Whitefish. There are 10 in the Lakeside-Somers area and Bigfork businesses also will participate.

Trailhead Supply was one of three businesses in Kalispell that participated in the original Small Business Saturday four years ago. It began offering deals and rewards the Saturday following Thanksgiving as a way to entice customers to shop locally, and co-partner Andy Breland said the company has enjoyed watching the event grow larger every year.

“It’s a way for the little small businesses to meet one another and work together every year,” Breland said. “It’s a way to see we’re not fighting this battle alone.”

According to Breland, small businesses are the best bet for shoppers, because these local stores are able to assist customers in finding unique products generally not available in large box stores.

In 2013, customers spent an estimated $5.7 billion across the United States with small businesses participating in the event, according to the Small Business Saturday website.

“Last year, our sales just on that Saturday went up at least 30 percent,” said Stefanie Hanson, co-owner of Beckman’s Fine Furnishings. This year is the third that Beckman’s will participate in Small Business Saturday, and the store will offer discounts and promotional giveaways.

All participating business will offer rewards for shopping small on Saturday, from mass discounts to drawings and giveaways.

Local chambers also offer incentives for shoppers to get out and about. Whitefish will offer the opportunity for 25 shoppers to win $25 AMEX gift cards if they complete a “Shop Small” passport from any five participating small businesses. They can then return the completed passport to any participating business on Saturday to be entered into the drawing.

The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce will be open on Black Friday and Small Business Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to answer questions, as well as provide a map and list of businesses participating in the event. Those shopping at multiple Small Business locations will have the chance to enter a raffle for a $50 American Express gift card.

Smaller communities throughout the valley will also participate. The Lakeside-Somers Chamber has 10 participating businesses, including ARTrageous Lakeside Gifts and Gallery, Seven, Farmhouse, Tina Jo’s Designs, West Shore Fitness, Homestead Cafe, Sliter’s Lumber and Building Supplies, Glacier Perks Coffee House, Lakeside Ski and Sports, and Tamarack Brewing.

The Lakeside chamber also will offer “passports,” which can be picked up at any participating business, and turned in to Tamarack Brewing when completed to be entered into a drawing to win prizes.

Small Business Saturday “is a great reminder of our small businesses,” Unterreiner said. “It’s a positive way to connect as a community.”

For a list of Whitefish participating businesses, visit www.whitefishchamber.com. For updates, find the Flathead Small Business Saturday page on Facebook.