Margaret Livermore embraces the idea of a day centered around supporting small businesses.

For the past five years, such a day has existed and it continues Saturday, Nov. 28, on Whidbey Island and across the country.

The concept of Small Business Saturday, created by credit card company American Express, is to shop locally to support small businesses.

It’s the counterpart to Black Friday, when consumers are drawn to big sales at franchise stores and major retailers that are typically offered only on the day after Thanksgiving.

Livermore, interim president of the newly formed Oak Harbor Main Street Association, is a fan of any campaign to help small businesses.

“It’s a real important thing,” said Livermore, co-founder of the Garry Oak Gallery downtown. “A lot of businesses need people to shop local and stay local and not head out to the malls and get things.”

To entice people to shop locally, 22 Oak Harbor businesses, most of them in historic downtown, are participating in the $1,000 Green Ticket Cash Giveaway.

For every $20 spent at participating stores and restaurants, one green ticket is earned for a chance to win $1,000 during a drawing on Dec. 19.

“Merchants do try very hard to stimulate interest for downtown,” said Kay Coolidge, who owns Popsies, a candy store on Pioneer Way.

The Oak Harbor Main Street Association is taking over that role from the Downtown Merchants Association, which is transitioning into the new organization.

Oak Harbor’s Main Street program has already secured nonprofit status and is awaiting approval to become an official Washington State Main Street community, which would give the group access to resources, including training, grants and other member benefits.

Still, the group is already organizing events. Its next big splash will take place Dec. 5 as part of downtown’s “Home for the Holidays” theme.

From 4-7 p.m. on that day, visitors to historic downtown will be treated to a visit by Santa, a tree lighting, a wide variety of Christmas carolers and treats offered by businesses.

But signs of Christmas are already present. Coolidge’s candy store already is displaying some of its Christmas stock and the Holiday Market on Pioneer is starting this weekend.

The Holiday Market will feature hand-crafted items such as garments, jewelry, blankets and art made from local artisans. The market will take place at 721 Pioneer Way in the building formerly occupied by Maurices, which moved to a new location on Highway 20 this year.

Coupeville and Langley both have events scheduled today coinciding with Small Business Saturday.

The Coupeville Chamber of Commerce is offering “Sip ’n’ Shop on the Cove,” a chance to sip local wine, dine on local appetizers and shop in the town’s variety of small shops.

The event runs 3-7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28 in downtown Coupeville.

For $10, participants get tastings from five Whidbey Island wineries and Whidbey Island Distillery and dine on appetizers from local restaurants, bakeries, caterers and stores.

And participating Front and Coveland street businesses will stay open until 7 p.m. for late night shopping.

“It’s all about promoting local business,” said Lynda Eccles with the Coupeville Chamber of Commerce. “We’ve got a lot of businesses participating.

“We’re pretty excited about it.”

Each participant also gets a passport and after getting it stamped at all participating locations he or she can enter to win a prize in the drawing.

“We’ve got some super prizes,” Eccles said.

Event organizer Shelli Trumbull said more than 20 prizes will be raffled and participants get a ticket to enter the raffle for every participating business they visit.

The raffle will be held at 7:15 p.m. at the Rec Hall and winners must be present to win.

Tickets are available at Front Street Grill, Cascade Insurance and the Chamber office. The first 100 tickets purchased will receive a special Sip ‘n’ Shop etched wine glass. Tickets will be for sale at the event.

The Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association also holds its own Red Ticket Drawing. Participating businesses offer customers a red ticket for every $20 spent. The drawing for the $1,000 is being held at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 20 on the steps of the Island County Historical Museum.

Langley is hosting its annual tree lighting event Saturday to kick off the holiday season. The “Lighting of Langley,” which includes Christmas carols, sipping hot cocoa and cider and a visit from Santa, starts at 4 p.m.

It’s not only a community celebration but an opportunity for small businesses to showcase their goods and services on a day devoted to supporting them.

Census information from 2012 revealed that there were 1,365 businesses with fewer than 20 employees in Island County, according to Ron Nelson, executive director of the Island County Economic Development Center.

“In the end, it’s our local clientele that are going to make or break a business,” said Michaleen McGarry, executive director of the Langley Chamber of Commerce. “I think it’s important that we support each other.”

The Whidbey News Group’s Megan Hansen and Ben Watanabe contributed to this report.