Some 20 businesses will be participating Saturday in Brookhaven’s first Spring Fling Open House.

     The event will last from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and will feature a fashion show, pictures with the Easter Bunny for children, seminars, door prizes and an opportunity to meet Miss Mississippi.

     Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce Executive Vice President Cliff Brumfield said the event will be a win-win for everyone.

     “It’s a good opportunity for people to get out and enjoy the warm air with their friends and check out these local businesses providing a family shopping event,” said Brumfield.

     He said the retailers are looking to show off what they have for the spring and summer.

     “We’ve got a good number of local retailers who are active members of the chamber who have gotten together to put on a local shopping event this weekend,” Brumfield said. “They will show off what they have on sale for the warmer months.”

     The public will be able to meet Miss Mississippi at Susan’s Shoppe from 10-11 a.m., and children can take pictures with the Easter Bunny at Expectations from 9-11 a.m., at Tillman Furniture from 12:30-1:30 p.m. and at Brookhaven Christian Bookstore from 1:30-2:30.

     There will be two fashion shows Saturday, one at 10 at Susan’s Shoppe and one at 11 in the parking lot at Expectations, the Finishing Touch and Macy Taylor’s.

     Lemonade, sweet tea and old-fashioned cookies will be served at Expectations.

     Workshops and seminars will be scattered throughout the day on a variety of topics, including spring tablescaping at J. Allan’s, Recycled home décor workshop at Repetitions, new plant ideas for your garden at Grownin’ Green and a gourmet food tasting event at It’s Serendipity.

     Art Barn Artists will be at Melinda’s Fabrics and Interiors from 1:30-3 p.m., and Beyond The Rainbow will hold a Facebook photo contest throughout the day. A trunk show is scheduled at Snazzies Boutique at 1 p.m.

     Door prizes every hour and refreshments are being offered at Vendor’s Emporium.

     Also participating will be Anticipation Ultra Sound Studio B Boutique, Billy Martin Antiques and Home Furnishings, Castle’s Ladies Apparel, Fashion Jewelry by Margaret Ann Britt, Michael Logan Men’s Shop and Southern Treasures.

     Other events promoting local businesses have occurred in the past, including the well-attended Girls’ Night Out and the Christmas Open House last year, along with back-to-school promotions in the past, but Brumfield said he hopes the Spring Fling continues.

     “This is not the first spring event we’ve had, but we’d love to see us do this again at this time every year,” said Brumfield. “Hopefully, the weather will stay nice like it is, and people will leave happy they took advantage.”

     Brumfield said the Spring Fling has the potential to bring in new shoppers and get people in local stores.

     “Retailers are hoping to get shoppers to support local merchants and perhaps bring in people from surrounding areas who maybe didn’t shop in Brookhaven already,” said Brumfield.

     Saturday will feature a wide variety of events downtown, and Brumfield hopes people take advantage.

     “We have events for people of all ages,” Brumfield said. “So we encourage people to shop local and support their local merchants this Saturday.”