Burning off at least some of the calories ingested on Thanksgiving day by hitting the stores to start the Christmas shopping is a holiday tradition.

While today’s Black Friday doorbusters attract a lot of attention, downtown Fort Dodge businesses will be rolling out the red carpet for customers on Saturday, which has become known as Small Business Saturday.

Merchants collaborating with Main Street Fort Dodge will have a special guest on Saturday: Santa Claus.

Santa will arrive via horse-drawn carriage at 9 a.m. His first stop will be at Bloomers on Central, 900 Central Ave., where he will have breakfast.

The jolly old elf’s itinerary will take him to Daniel Pharmacy and Mary Kay’s Gifts, 1214 Central Ave., at 10:15 a.m.; Rush Hour Clothing, 1208 First Ave. S., at 10:45 a.m.; Annie’s Bridal, 1027 Central Ave., at 11:45 a.m.; Olde Boston’s Restaurant & Pub, 809 Central Ave., at 12:30 p.m.; The Big Picture, 704 Central Ave., at 1:40 p.m.; and Real Deals, 329 Central Ave., at 2 p.m.

Santa will depart for the North Pole at 3 p.m., but he’ll be back in downtown Fort Dodge Monday evening for Holiday on Central.

People shopping on Saturday will have the chance to win a basket of gift cards from downtown merchants. For every $50 they spend, they’ll be entered to win the basket of gift cards.

Fort Dodge isn’t the only area community that will have special holiday events and promotions in the coming days.

Here’s a list of some of those events:

Clarion

Stores will be open for their normal business hours. There will be a giveaway of $100 in Chamber Bucks.

Dayton

Business open houses on Dec. 7-8.

Eagle Grove

Stores will be open for their normal business hours.

Gowrie

Downtown businesses will have open houses on Dec. 7-8. There will be Christmas carolers and refreshments.

Humboldt

Most small businesses open from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. today.

Manson

Hometown Christmas, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 2, Manson Area Community Center.

Pocahontas

The Princess City will be hosting its Art Walk and Hometown Christmas today and Saturday.

The Pocahontas Chamber of Commerce said it begins tonight with extended store hours, as well as a light parade and food vendors. Christmas caroling will be on Main Street as well.

Santa Claus will be available for pictures on Saturday, where there will also be a flea market and an art walk.

Rockwell City

Holiday celebration, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Expo Center.