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www.FredParent.NET • 17 Sponsored Material Join us November 19 for the live conversation on Would you like to ask Ann Glave a question? She will be with us during our Ask The Expert live chat on November 19, on our Facebook Page, at 8:00pm. Come join the conversation! facebook.com/FredericksburgParent a sk t h e e x p e rt Q: Why is Small Business Saturday important? It shows that we care about our downtowns. Downtowns are mainly comprised of small independent business owners. Our small businesses create jobs, keep the majority of funds within the community and create a sense of pride and goodwill. Q: How is Small Business Saturday different from Black Friday? It caters to the local independent businesses versus the chains and malls. It's the shop small commitment for the day. It's a nationwide well-known [and] celebrated event. The small business owner knows you; knows the community. It's a local economy-driven activity. Q: What is downtown Fredericksburg doing for Small Business Saturay this year? Red carpets and balloons will appear again with the Early Bird Riser promo. Between 8am and 10am, stores will offer a special incentive that they don't normally do. This year will feature free wrapping stations and free coffee and pastries (two stations like last year) until they run out, with the help of the economic development and tourism office. Also new this year is short videos of our downtown business owners. Q: Are all the downtown Small Business Saturday festivities/incentives just for that Saturday, or do they last all weekend? The main emphasis is on Saturday, though supporting your local business should be an everyday consideration. Many of the businesses are doing something special between 8 am and 10 am and following up with another promotion later in the day. Q: Where can we purchase downtown Fredericksburg gift cards? Liberty Town Arts, The Visitor Center and at www.fredericksburgmainstreet.org Q: Is there a list online of businesses that accept downtown Fredericksburg gift cards? It's on our website at www.frederick sburgmainstreet.org. It's always being updated. Q: Some people see Small Business Satuday as a kick-off event for the holidays. What does down- town Fredericksburg have in store for the holiday season? There are many activities planned during the holi- days. The holiday parade is an ongoing family tradi- tion. Open Late Fridays will continue. Music on the streets, historic interpreters (dressed in costume) and Santa Strolls are on again. This year there will be real-time Santa Tracker app. You will know where Santa and Mrs. Claus are downtown. Window Wonderland and the Elfie Selfie open at the Holiday Open House on November 14 – this year Elfie Selfie will be Instagram driven with a weekly random drawing for $100 downtown gift card. Solve the holiday riddles and vote for your favorite holiday decorated window. To find out more about Small Business Saturday in downtown Fredericksburg, visit www.fredericksburgmainstreet.org since 2013 The 2014 Fredericks- burg gift card designer, Jonah H. and Fred Parent's Pouches.