If it’s November, particularly in Boothbay Harbor on the third Saturday of the month, a flock of unusually feathered birds will be found downtown. This year it all happens on Nov. 18 for the Early Bird Sale & Pajama Party! True, you won’t see these particular “bird species” featured in a Jeff and Allison Wells bird column, but they are colorful - “lovely plumage!” Some go in for the super warm onesie look, others prefer the matching top and bottom jammies or nightgowns (with long johns no doubt), topped by a cozy bathrobe. Over the decades early birds have been seen with rollers in their hair and cold cream on their faces. 

No matter their appearance, Early Bird shoppers are a fun-loving, happy flock serious about sales and shopping - and often have a list to prove it! 

If you want to grab a bite before you begin shopping, or after you’ve shopped and stuffed your purchases in the trunk of your car, you might want to head over to Brady’s on Union St., opening at 7:30 a.m. Jen Mitchell said this year is its sixth Mimosa Palooza and the breakfast specials are sumptuous: egg nog/crème brulée French toast; apple Dutch babies, Texas scramble, pork bellies with eggs and toast, and chicken and waffles!

Participating businesses at press time: Mung Bean, House of Logan, Janson’s Clothing Store, St. Andrews Hospital Auxiliary, Mama D’s Cafe, Boat House Bistro, sweet bay, Pier 1 Pizza, Ae Ceramics, Morgan Mitchell Designs, Nathan’s, Two Salty Dogs, Slicks, Sherman’s Books, Southport General Store Barn, Friends of the Library Used Bookstore, Farm 23, A Silver Lining, Coastal Maine Popcorn, Eventide Specialties, Footbridge Brewery, The Cannery, Calypso, Sea Glass Spa, Black River Gallery, Boothbay Railway Village Museum, Shear Artistry Family Hair Salon & Co., Meadow Skincare & Esthetics, Pedego Bikes, Harborside 1901 Bar & Grille, Gifts For Giving (at Studio 53), Polished, Windjammer Emporium, Smiling Cow, Gimbel’s Country Store, Log Cabin Shoes. 

Open for breakfast and/or lunch in addition to Brady’s, there’s Mama D’s, Tugboat, Baker’s Way, China By the Sea, Farm 23, Eventide Specialties, Harborside 1901, Mine Oyster, Pier 1 Pizza, McSeagull’s, Marcel’s Subs, Ports Pizzeria, Southport General Store, Waves, Robinson’s Wharf, Southport General Store, Pinkham’s Gourmet Market, House of Pizza, Boothbay Harbor Mart & Country Store, Boathouse Bistro, Coastal Bounty Barn, Footbridge Brewery, Shannon’s Unshelled, Subway, T&D Variety, Trevett Country Store, Whale’s Tale & Seafarer’s Pub, Tugboat Inn.

Nov. 18th also marks the opening of Boothbay Region Art Foundation’s annual Art in the Square show and sale. Local and regional artists, professional and some aspiring, create 12” x 12” masterpieces. And, yes, they will fit into a stocking ... just make it a large one. And, down to Studio 53 Fine Art the annual Holiday Gifts for Giving show kicks off its three weekend show run, Fridays-Sundays through Sunday, Dec. 3. 

Don’t forget to take a photo near the Pot Buoy Tree to participate in the Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce’s Selfie Contest. Take a photo near the tree, take a photo of a recent receipt from a local business and submit it (make sure it’s a receipt from the week you enter) and email the photos, your name and contact information to membership@boothbayharbor.com for a chance at winning a $100 gift card (drawing held weekly) and to be put in the running for the final $250 gift card to be drawn New Year’s Day 2024. For more information, visit www.boothbayharbor.com/boothbay-lights.

Did we mention door prizes? Don’t forget to sign up for them before you leave each business. See you downtown this Saturday, early birds!