Set your alarm to wake you up early Saturday, Nov. 12 because you won’t want to miss Wiscasset’s annual Early Bird shopping event. With businesses offering special discounts starting as early as 6 a.m., you can head out to check off many items on your holiday shopping list.

Ames True Value Hardware and Supply on Route 1 will open earlier than usual for the sale. Discounts will be offered from 6 to 9 a.m. on everything not already on sale. The Averill family-run business has a wide selection of merchandise including tools, hardware, pet foods and supplies, women’s and men’s shoes and clothing, gardening supplies and much more, and everything you need for your holiday decorating!

Moulinette at 60 Main St. will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is offering 20% off on items storewide. Moulinette sells candles, soap, linens, women’s and children’s clothing and many other unique items from far away places such as France, Germany, Australia and the UK. While you're there, be sure to say hello to store owner Margot Sullivan’s rescue collie Tulla, who will be greeting shoppers.

Birch Home Furnishings and Gifts at 72 Main St. will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and is offering 20% off all holiday items and 10% off everything else, excluding artists’ consignments. Owner Francie Siegfried said it is her second season owning the store which has been in Wiscasset for seven years. She closed for several days recently so she could be “all set up for the holidays.” The store has items for everyone on your holiday shopping list including holiday decorations and host or hostess gifts. Siegfried said, “The previous owners carried gnomes so people come in especially for that. I’ve continued the gnome tradition.”

Sarah’s Cafe at 45 Water St. will participate in the Early Bird event from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. Sarah’s has been in business since 1981 and is owned by Sarah Heald from Georgetown who proudly still lives in her family’s 350-year-old farmhouse. In a phone interview, Heald said they will have homemade soups on Saturday with a special vegan, carrot, turnip puree. “It is delicious!” There will also be fresh haddock chowder and homemade chicken noodle soup. Diners will find a special on a half sandwich and soup. Heald plans to have fresh lobster for lobster rolls and salad, homemade desserts, fruit pies, cheesecake and freshly baked bread.

Other businesses participating in Wiscasset Early Bird include In The Clover, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with 30% off all day; rock paper scissors, open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with 20% off all day; and Treats, which will have its sale from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. with 15% off. Supporting Wiscasset Early Bird are J. Edward Knight Insurance; and Marsha DeCosta from Tim Dunham Realty. For details, please contact the businesses or see their ads in the Nov. 10 print edition and at wiscassetnewspaper.com