Mark your calendar to set that alarm Friday night, Nov. 21, so you don't miss out on all the early morning fun on Saturday, Nov. 22; Boothbay Harbor's Early Bird Sale & Pajama Party! That's right, sleepyheads, rise and shine, no need to change out of your jammies, just grab your shopping list and drive downtown. And this year marks the return of the Early Bird Bed Races – more on that later.

Now some of our friends and neighbors go all out with matching jammies and/or bathrobes and slippers while others have dressed up as birds, or a flock thereof, elves, and bears … let your imagination soar to new heights! One year, many Early birds ago, a local woman, bundled in jammies and robe, shopped with her face covered with cold cream and her hair in rollers, a real show, er, sale stopper!

You can find something for everyone on your list here in the harbor – jewelry, books, glassware, sweatshirts and T’s and other clothing; art, puzzles, games, shoes, popcorn, shops; entertainment venue tickets from the Opera House, Harbor Theater and Carousel Music Theater; guest passes to the YMCA or CMBG; gift certificates from favorite restaurants or Hannaford’s … food for thought. Speaking of food, many restaurants will be serving special breakfasts and equally special adult bevvies. 

On your mark, get set ... Go! To the Bed Races slated to begin at 10 a.m. at 11 Howard St., Boothbay Harbor. Once upon a time, these races were held during the Early Bird Sale & PJ Party and it's easy to see how well they fit together; most shoppers are in PJs anyway!

Boothbay Harbor Region Chamber of Commerce, that hub of holiday fun and creative thinking, announced the return of this crazy fun competition earlier this month.

It's been 23 years since local business owners and employees donned pajamas, robes and often costumes, after rigging up a fully dressed, full-size bed on wheels and then, quick as the wind, or breeze if the wheels were funky, ran as quickly as possible considering they were pushing a bed and rider.

Here come the rules and regs:

Check in and line up begins at 9: 45 a.m. on Howard Street. Beds begin rolling at 10.

All contestants must wear PJs. Beds must have four wheels and four runners with a fifth team member as the rider. Beds must be made with one sheet, one blanket, and a pillow. The winning team is awarded a trophy; bragging rights are understood!

Here's the info needed for sign-up: Team name, a contact person and phone number. Find the signup sheet at https://form.jotform.com/253084334738057 or call the chamber: 207-633-2353.

Due to the timing of the event announcement, the Chamber will allow signups at 9:45 that morning, if needed. 

Post races, shopping continues! Check out advertising businesses in the second section of this week's edition and online. And ... don't forget to sign up for each shop or restaurant's door prize!