NORFOLK, Neb. -- Small Business Saturday is a national event to help encourage people to shop small, local businesses. 

Nov. 26 is Small Business Saturday, a nationwide event sponsored by American Express that encourages people to seek out and shop at small, local businesses. The Norfolk Area Business Resource Network  invites residents to participate in a "fun shopping experience," while supporting those local small businesses.

Small businesses in Nebraska form the backbone of the economy, nearly 100% of all employer businesses are small firms. There are 179,509 small businesses in Nebraska—99.1% of all businesses in the state.

This year the Norfolk Area Business Resource Network said they want to welcome everyone to Small Business Saturday in Norfolk.

The "Big Blue" trolley will be offering free rides on Saturday, Nov. 26, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. There will be five stops around town providing easy access to shopping all across Norfolk. Many businesses will be offering discounts.

Participants can download the Small Business Bingo Card and collect stamps from participating businesses for a chance to win a $100 or $300 gift card to any Madison County small business or a $200 gift card to Deets Furniture.

If anyone collects stamps from additional Madison County Businesses, they will earn “extra credit” in the form of an additional entry to the drawing for prizes.

Shoppers can pick up a game card at NorfolkSmallBiz.com, at participating businesses, or in the Norfolk Daily News Black Friday paper. Each Norfolk business on the card has a clue, and participants will receive a stamp from the businesses with a chance to win one of three gift cards.

Game cards can be brought to Economic Development at the Norfolk City Administration Offices (309 N. 5th St. Norfolk, NE), or emailed to economicdevelopment@norfolkne.gov.