FARMINGTON – As the days of a beautiful October dwindle, Miki Pepper stocked shelves with new holiday items Tuesday at Mickey’s Hallmark.

The lime-green travel sets are part of a special to be offered Saturday for the downtown’s annual Early Bird Sale.

Mickey’s, along with several others, will open at 6 a.m. with employees dressed in their pajamas ready to serve early-morning shoppers, said store manager Margaret Silkman.

The early-hours sale was started by Reny’s as an opportunity for wives of hunters to start holiday shopping when their husbands were hitting the woods on the first Saturday of November.

Now, the annual event that has lasted more than 20 years

“It’s a time of high energy and excitement,” said Carol Robbins, Reny’s manager. “There’s a crowd but it’s different. Last year, I was watching from the stairs and everyone was happy. It’s not like a sale at Macy’s.”

Most stores offer discounts from 10 to 20 percent between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. But over the past few years, the event expanded into an all-day affair as some stores offer discounted prices all day. A few stores will also open earlier, but at 7 or 8 a.m. instead of 6 a.m.

This year, more stores are participating than have in several years, said Mike Blanchet, president of the Downtown Business and Professional Association, organizers of the event. Some shops offer special discounts the earlier people shop and shopping in pajamas is encouraged, he said.

One of the newest stores on Main Street, he said, Pins and Needles plans to offer the 20 percent special from 6 to 9 and then continue with a 10 percent special for the rest of the day just as some other stores will continue their sales throughout the day.

Pins and Needles, owned by Cheri Tompkins, offers fabric, quilting supplies and yarns, he said. The business moved to the downtown area earlier this year.

Another popular special, he said, are movie theater tickets. John Moore of Narrow Gauge Cinema, is offering 10 tickets for $35 or 10 tickets with popcorn and beverage for $45. Moore sets up a table at Mickey’s Hallmark on Main Street from 6 to 9 a.m.

For more information, visit the association’s Web site at www.downtownfarmington.com