There will be music and food, balloons and face painting, a big bouncer, movies for children and ice cream for all.

Many of the businesses are planning special sales and promotions that day, with sale prices beginning Thursday, April 27, and continuing through the 29th.

Bennett Square is located at 134 Main St. South, with one entrance on Main Street next to the Southbury Food Center and the other on Poverty Road.

Somewhat low-key compared to the larger commercial presences on either end of Main Street, Bennett Square is home to a number of small businesses, each with its own special niche.

There are no national franchises here, no corporate giants. At Bennett Square, the person behind the cash register is likely to be the owner of the business.

Susan Begasse, owner of Pet Aesthetics Salon and Boutique, is coordinating the Bennett Square Block Party.

"There are so many businesses here, both old and new," she said. "We're hoping for a really nice day so that people can come out, meet all the merchants, and have some fun."

A full-service grooming salon, Pet Aesthetics opened in 1999, offering basic pet trims to fancy, elaborate scissors trims.

"Customizing is our specialty," Susan said. "Being able to accentuate areas or hide flaws is fun."

The business includes a fully stocked pet boutique, as well as canine massage therapy, Reiki and other relaxation services.

Susan will be on hand Saturday to offer nutrition counseling for pets. Free products will be available from a number of vendors.

"I hope people will come in and meet the staff, enjoy some treats and prizes, and have fun," she said.

Just a couple of doors down, Walt's Barber Shop - owned by Walt Barber - has been a fixture at Bennett Square for 35 years.

This old-fashioned barber shop is frequented by thousands of customers, young and old, who stop by for everything from a haircut or straightedge shave to a fresh pot of coffee and the latest town news.

Over the years, this beloved Southbury landmark has become the place to go for a flattop and some friendly banter.

Suite Sounds is a one-stop provider of total home entertainment, audio/video, private theater, lighting and control, telecommunication and computer network systems for residential customers, with services for commercial clients as well.

Specialties include product demonstration, guidance in product selection, placement design, wiring, planning and layout, complete installation and integration of systems.

On Saturday, Suite Sounds will host a Surround Sound theater tent with a 50-inch plasma TV, free popcorn and seating for kids to view their favorite movies (weather permitting).

Located near the shopping center's Poverty Road entrance, Villarina's Pasta and More is a gourmet food shop offering fresh pasta and sauces, frozen Italian entrees, gourmet cheeses, Bridgewater Chocolates and much more.

Villarina's will provide food for block party attendees.

Talia's Gourmet Hamburgers offers a wide variety of lunch and dinner choices, from wraps and sandwiches to salads, plus a selection of humus and falafel dishes.

All food is made fresh daily from the finest ingredients, with everything made to order.

Talia's will provide free ice cream to everyone attending the block party this Saturday.

A relative newcomer to Bennett Square is Tambourine, a women's and children's boutique with an eclectic, international flair.

Owner Niloufer Mathews carries Brainy Baby products, and cotton dresses and play clothes from Les Petite Chapelais, a children's line favored by Madonna, Whoopie Goldberg and Julia Roberts.

Women's clothing comes from Marylou, Mario Balthazar, Suva, A'nue Ligne, Interlud, Dilemma and more, plus handbags from Papillion and Hobo International and jewelry from Manouk Bijoux.

Block party specials at Tambourine will include discounts of 10, 15 and 35 percent on selected items through May 25.

Continuing along the high-fashion theme, Essentials by Andi Kamel will present New York Fashion in Southbury, an exclusive shopping spree set for 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, April 27, and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, April 28 and Saturday, April 29 only, at the west end of Bennett Square in the space formerly occupied by Southbury Karate.

Andrea Ward has gathered contemporary wear from Due Per Due, sportswear from Elliott Lauren, fine fabric pieces from Donna Degnan, affordable casual wear from Fat Hat, suits from ABS and Tahari, accessories from Fragments and much more, available in sizes 4 to 16.

Walk-ins are welcome; cash or check only.

Carousel Kids Consignment Shop offers gently used children's clothing for newborns to teens, including junior girls up to size 7 and young men up to size small.

Karen Hsieh bought Carousel Kids last summer and has since moved the shop two spaces down to a slightly larger, corner location.

In addition to clothing, Karen carries baby equipment, toys, games and puzzles.

Through June 10, Karen is offering 15 percent off an entire purchase for customers who present the Block Party ad in this week's Voices.

Used clothing in adult sizes can be found at the Southbury Community Thrift Shop, which recently moved from the upper level of Bennett Square to a new, larger location around the corner, opposite Leo's Restaurant.

Sales of men's and women's clothing and accessories, furniture and household goods benefit Safe Haven of Greater Waterbury, a resource for victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault.

Renaissance Center on the upper level of Bennett Square is a music conservatory offering private instruction in piano, violin, guitar, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet and voice.

Group programs encourage new experiences in music and offer opportunities for experienced students to make music in an ensemble setting.

Block party attendees are invited to stop at the Renaissance Center to learn about the seven-week summer session, which begins July 5.

The block party will offer an introduction to Bennett Square's newest tenant, My Second Kitchen, offering restaurant quality meals without shopping, prepwork, guesswork or waste.

Owners Teresa and Bob McLean will offer tours of the new store at 55e Bennett Square, where in less than two hours, patrons can assemble up to 12 entrees serving four to six persons each, take them home to the freezer and enjoy them all month long.

Bringing a national trend to Southbury, My Second Kitchen offers a time-saving solution to today's busy cooks.

Bennett Square offers a wide variety of goods and services in a friendly, small-town atmosphere with convenient off-street parking.