Well, it's happened again. Another year has flown by, and THE SEASON is almost upon us.

The 28th annual Boothbay Area Early Bird sale will take place on Saturday, Nov. 19.

The annual Early Bird sales in Boothbay Harbor, Wiscasset and Damariscotta have become a traditional way to start getting in the spirit of the holidays and begin, and maybe finish, our Christmas shopping.

People will be out in droves, some in their pajamas, bathrobes, slippers and other sleepwear beginning at 5 a.m.

The sales and giveaways have always attracted lots of people who love a bargain, but this year will be even better. Several shops that are typically closed for the season by the time Early Bird comes around will be open this year. Thanks to Gardens Aglow at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, and the Boothbay area's first lights festival ever, the Boothbay Festival of Lights, many shops will remain open through Dec. 31. There will be well over 50 business open for Early Bird!

Most will have door prize drawings — some will be in the form of gift certificates — up to $100, so be sure to remember to sign up at each place. Shirts by the Bay/Harbor Depot and Coastal Maine Gifts will have a combined drawing for $200 cash. The winner must be present for the 9 a.m. drawing.

Some of the new businesses, and ones that have been closed in the past, include: Seawicks Candle Company, Bonnie’s A Cut Above, Seaglass Spa, Abacus and Harborside Tavern.

Seawicks will be offering 20 percent off everything from 5:30 to 8 a.m., and 10 percent off everything from 8 a.m. to close. And the first 25 people to spend $50 or more will receive a special Seawicks candle with a unique scent not currently available for sale.

Bonnie's, open from 8:30 to noon, will hold a drawing for a shampoo, cut and style.

Other participating businesses will include: Oasis, Boothbay Region Greenhouses, the Cannery, Enchantments, House of Logan, Sadie Green's, Palabra Shop, Sherman's Book and Stationery, Smiling Cow/The Loft, Slicks's Boutique, Harbor-Tech Solutions, the Village Store, A Silver Lining, Mung Bean, Janson's Clothing, Calypso, Boothbay Harbor Framers, McSeagulls, Log Cabin Shoes, Maine Made & More of Boothbay Harbor, J. Edward Knight, First Federal Savings, Pottle Realty Group, Good N You, Mama D's Cafe, The Cutting Edge, Molly's at On Board Fabrics, Tindal and Callahan Real Estate, Sweet Bay, Coastal Maine Popcorn Co., Bath Savings Institution, Shear Artistry, Two Salty Dogs Pet Outfitters, Eventide Epicurean Specialties, Boothbay Register, St. Andrews Auxiliary Thrift Shop, The Hutch, East Boothbay General Store, Rick Gilde Massage, Studio 53, Coastal Car Wash/Harbor’s Choice Laundry, Maria Boord Gallery, Capers, Boothbay Harbor Embroidery, Boathouse Bistro, Sea Glass Spa, Gimbel and Sons Harbor Mart, Wanser's Market/Merry Auld Tea Co., Tidepools,AE Home, and the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library.

And be sure to stop by the library lawn to see Sarah Morley and Dave Parkhurst from the Boothbay Register. They'll be handing out free coffee. Sarah knows everybody in town, and everything that’s going on, and is always happy to hand out advice, and Dave will probably be ready with a joke or two.

But before heading in to the harbor, think about getting a hot cup of coffee and a scrumptious breakfast sandwich at the East Boothbay General Store. The owner, Elizabeth Evans, said she loves seeing people showing up in the wee hours — it will open at 5 a.m. “I try to pre-empt the big party downtown,” she said. “Come grab a bite to eat and take advantage of the “deep, deep discounts.” She says sorry though — there will be none of her infamous donuts.