Get your fuzzy slippers ready because it's that time of year again — holiday shopping time.

And the best holiday shopping is done right in downtown Boothbay Harbor at the Early Bird sale.

This year marks the 25th Early Bird. It started when Jane Knowles, who ran a custom house gift shop in Damariscotta, had an early bird sale, which was wildly successful. So much so that she encouraged other shop owners to do the same thing.

This year's Boothbay Harbor Early Bird is on November 23, with the majority of stores opening at 6 a.m. Almost every store runs sales, and many store offer bigger discounts the earlier you shop. In some cases, discounts run as high 50 percent off.

Lots of people shop in their pajamas, and fuzzy slippers and bathrobes are everywhere. There are always at least two groups of people dressed in matching jammies, often complete with fun headgear, such as reindeer antlers or Santa hats.

More than anything, Early Bird is a day for fun. It's as much about finding a bargain as it is about the bed race and pajama contest, and seeing the town full of people and local stores doing business.

“We're always packed,” said Gaye Ferrante, who works at Sadie Greens. “There are lines all the way down the store and it can be hard to get inside, but people are really polite and try to make room.”

“It is a great morning,” Sarah Wilcox of the Village Store and House of Logan said. “Sometimes people are waiting to get in the door at 6 a.m., which is very gratifying to see. The town is full of people in their pajamas and it's so festive!”

This year there will be a “Jammie Judging Contest” on the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library lawn at 10 a.m. At 10:30 a.m., prizes will be awarded in five categories, including best jammies, best footwear, best headgear, best children's pj's (under 12), and best group of shoppers in jammies.

Around 10:30 a.m., the bed race will take place on Howard Street behind the library. Teams consist of five people and a decorated bed (on wheels, of course). Many teams have a theme, and prizes are awarded for best decorated bed, best time and second best time.

To sign up for the race, forms can be picked up and dropped off at Video Loft, House of Logan, Janson's Clothing or the Boothbay Register by November 18.

So mark your calendars, dust off your feetie pajamas and check out the spread running in next week's Boothbay Register showing all the local deals available at this years' Early Bird sale.

You can also keep an eye on the special Early Bird Web page by visiting www.boothbayregister.com and clicking on the Early Bird banner image at the top of the page.