The Early Bird Catches the Worm

This coming weekend includes the first Saturday in November -- and, here in Bath, Maine that means something important.

It's the Early Bird sale.

What IS the Early Bird sale you ask?

It is, among other things (I would be remiss if I didn't point out that it is also the opening of hunting season - which for me means the beginning of many solo Saturdays and the need to add flame orange to my wardrobe), one of the very cool things that happens here in this town.

Before dawn, hundreds of area residents in search of bargains will head to town in their PJs. Most stores open at 5:30 to 6 a.m. with huge sales. The sales begin to diminish as the morning arrives. By 9 a.m., store prices are (typically) back to normal. It is a hoot. People in curlers and PJs, scrambling around in the dark trying to score a deal. As the clock strikes 9, people gather in the streets to say hello to friends and neighbors and enjoy some donuts and hot coffee.

For those of you unfamiliar with this cool town, you should know that we have a real main street--we work hard at keeping our historic downtown alive. Here on Front Street in Bath, you'll find everything you need (and no big box stores or chains). There is a fabulous coffee shop, a bookstore, a 1950s style got-everything-you-need-department-store, an awesome cooking store, a couple of banks, an everything-made-in-Maine-gift store, a toy store (with really terrific toys), a kids clothing boutique, a couple of gift stores, a pharmacy, a health food store...oh, and I'm probably missing a few things...but you get the picture!

So, now you know what I'll be doing on Saturday. And, Miss Baby R who is our resident social butterfly and early bird, is counting the days.