If the mega-consumer shopping bonanza known as Black Friday is just too much to handle, there's a more low-key way to spend money this weekend — and it comes with the added benefit of supporting the local community.

Saturday marks the fifth annual Small Business Saturday, a nationwide American Express-sponsored event that is intended to showcase local merchants. Many activities are planned throughout the day around San Francisco. Highlights include:

Main Street Makeover and Celebrations

Hayes Street in Hayes Valley will be remade into San Francisco's Main Street by designer Kathryn Ireland. The street and its environs are packed with boutiques and other independently owned shops. The Main Street Makeover, at 568 Hayes St., startis at 11 a.m.

Etsy Trunk Show

Online marketplace Etsy partnered with American Express to help small businesses showcase local artisans, and at least one store in The City is participating. Little Paper Planes at 855 Valencia St. in the Mission will be hosting a trunk show throughout the day.

Small Business Saturday Night Upper Fillmore

The Fillmore Merchants Association coordinated with many shops to provide activities and special deals in the neighborhood. The Zinc Details furniture store at 1905 Fillmore St., for example, is hosting two fashion shows at 6:30 and 7:30 p.m.

Teresa Rodriguez, the executive director of the Fillmore Merchants Association, said this year is the first time the neighborhood as a whole will be participating in Small Business Saturday.

Rodriguez, who produces fashion shows in the Bay Area and organized the two at Zinc Details, said neighborhood merchants and her association were excited to be part of the event and hope to show off the unique aspects of the Fillmore.

“As a destination, you can come to Fillmore and experience what S.F. is really like at the shops owned by people who live in the neighborhood,” she said.

For more information about Small Business Saturday, visit www.shopsmall.com.

American ExpressBay Area NewsFillmoreneighborhoodsSmall Business Saturday

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