Hear ye, hear ye! The popular Men’s Night holiday sale event in Boothbay Harbor is Wednesday, Dec. 16.

Over the past 30 or so years, the evening arrived with super discounts printed in the Boothbay Register and heralded by a town crier; often that role was played by Peter Panagore who would walk the street announcing sales; there was a petting zoo set up near Logan’s, Pat Farrin offered hayrides, the Y-Arts group would be out caroling; there were gift wrapping stations, grilled foods over at Slicks and Janson’s  ... good times in our very special community.

Food, offered by various organizations, kept bargain hunters’ bodies fueled to keep up their shopping strength! And this year, despite the coronavirus, there will be food – packaged and ready to go by the Lions Club. Free bowls of Jay Andrews’ famous fish chowder will be given away from 5 p.m. until it’s gone. The Lions will also be raffling off a scratch ticket holiday gnome! Look for Lions next to the House of Logan on Commercial Street.

Participating shops at press time: The Cannery, China By The Sea, House of Logan, Mung Bean, Janson’s Clothing Store, Sherman’s Books & Stationery, A Silver Lining, Village Store & Children’s Shop, Slick’s, The Cutting Edge, sweet bay, Two Salty Dogs, Maine & Ivy, Boothbay Region Art Foundation, Eventide Specialties, Coastal Maine Popcorn, Boat House Bistro, Sea Glass Spa, Crow Point Yoga, Ae Ceramics, Tidepools, and Nathan’s Pharmacy in the Meadow Mall. 

Men’s Night supporters: Boothbay Register, First Federal Savings, First National Bank, Bath Savings Institution, J. Edward Knight Insurance, Tindal & Callahan Real Estate, Harbor Realty, and Camden National Bank.

Over the years, Men’s Night has also been called Family Night due to some members of the community who felt it was sexist to refer to the sale as a “Men’s” event. But, as many a family member will tell you, their menfolk do tend to put things off – particularly shopping! 

Men’s Night does draw families out to do some shopping amidst the multi color and white lights outlining the shops and landmarks like Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library, Whale Park – how about that buoy tree there this year – that we all love so much. 

Business owners will offer sales ranging from 10 to 70%! If you missed last week’s paper with the ads of the participating businesses in it, fear not! The pages are in the Fall Into the Holidays promotional page on the home pages of the Boothbay Register and Wiscasset Newspaper’s websites. And, check out the Main Street section of the websites. Many businesses will have in depth information about their sales for Men’s Night 2020!

So map out your shopping route for the evening now – and don't forget to check it twice! Remember your masks. Observe social distancing. Get out there and support our small businesses ... our  friends and neighbors!