Support local small businesses during the Business Improvement District (B.I.D.) Merry & Bright event, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., this Saturday, November 29. Pick up the list of 21 participating businesses outside of Nina's Pizzeria and Restaurant at 10 a.m., located at 32 South Broad Street in Norwich.(Photo by Tyler Murphy)

NORWICH - Join the festivities at supporting local small businesses during the Business Improvement District (B.I.D.) Merry & Bright event, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., this Saturday, November 29.

Pick up the list of 21 participating businesses outside of Nina’s Pizzeria and Restaurant, located at 32 South Broad Street in Norwich and visit many of the participating businesses to be entered to win various raffle prizes.

“The BID has always promoted Small Business Saturday, but this is the first year of Merry & Bright on Broad, our branded event, to celebrate small businesses in the District and kick off the holiday shopping season,” said Dana Wall, Executive Director of the Business Improvement District.

Wall said shopping local is critical to maintaining a vibrant Downtown Norwich.

“We want our District storefronts to be filled with unique goods and services,” she said. “And patronizing our small businesses is key to making Downtown a destination for our city’s residents and visitors.”

Wall said there will also be free family photos taken by Tim Brown in West Park and a sneak peek of the new Downtown Norwich branding at the event.

She said there will be raffle prizes that include gift certificates, drink-ware, glass art, candles, and more.

“We have three tiers of raffle prizes, all donated from some of the District businesses,” Wall continued. “The big raffle prize is a gift certificate to put toward a session by Jacq Photography.”

Additional prizes will be available for the first 20 participants and raffle winners will be contacted Saturday afternoon.

Local District businesses participating are:

Made in Chenango,

Lighthouse Cove Restaurant,

A Novel Idea Book Boutique,

Park Place Sports Bar & Grill,

Medicated Yourself Art & Glass Gallery,

Serenity Hobbies,

Wally’s World O Comixs,

South Broad Mercantile & Wren Coffee,

Blarney Stone Pub,

Moi’s Center City Bistro,

Nina’s Pizzeria & Restaurant,

Norwich Copies Plus,

Pink Door Thrift Store.

In Motion Designs.

Deja Brew & Willow Boutique.

Trophy Guy & Jacq Photography.

Mr. B’s Warehouse,

Season’s General Store,

Ameriprise Financial.

Additional downtown events continue between 5 and 8 p.m., with Winter Market in East Park and at 6 p.m., Parade of Lights.

For more B.I. D. information, visit their website at www.norwichbid.com/member-resources