With the annual Christmas Open House less than a week away, local retailers are busy prepping for one of their busiest days of the year.

This year’s holiday shopping and socializing extravaganza is set for Saturday, Nov. 9, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at participating businesses. And bargains will abound for those who head to the stores that day, said Kay Burton, marketing director of the Brookhaven-Lincoln County Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s the best discounts of the year,” said Burton, adding, “I think we’ve got the most retailers we’ve ever had.”

To date, 34 businesses are on the open house list for Saturday’s event.

A new offering this year will be The Inn on Whitworth’s “Dine and Stay” packages, said Burton, who hopes the packages will entice visitors to come, shop and spend the night. Those interested in learning more should contact The Inn on Whitworth, she said.

On open house day, businesses will be offering refreshments, bargains and special giveaway drawings, said Burton, who’s been working hard to promote the event locally and throughout the region.

“As long as the weather cooperates, I think we’ll have the most attendance we’ve ever had,” she said.

A related event Thursday night – the third annual Window Reveal – will help whet shoppers’ appetites while also offering some early holiday cheer around town. Participating businesses will cover their windows, set up their Christmas displays behind the coverings and then unwrap the windows Thursday, Nov. 7, at 6 p.m., Burton said.

Area residents are invited to drive around Thursday evening and view the Christmas displays as the windows are unveiled.

Besides the Window Reveal and the Open House, this holiday season also will feature weekly drawings for “hometown bucks,'” Burton said. Shoppers can register at participating businesses, and there will be a drawing each week for $100 in “bucks” that can be used for shopping at participating stores.

The weekly drawings will continue for six weeks, Burton said, with the sixth and final drawing the week of Dec. 16 netting a grand prize of $500 in hometown bucks.

“The hometown bucks drawings are an added extra,” Burton said.

For more information about the holiday events, contact the chamber at (601) 833-1411.

Open House Businesses

Participating open house businesses to date include:

• Ables

• Bdazzled Dollar Jewelry

• Beyond the Rainbow

• Broma’s Deli

• Brookhaven Christian Book Store

• Castle’s Ladies Apparel

• Catt’s Closet Consignments

• Detour 51

• Engravables

• Expectations

• The Finishing Touch

• Glow Tanning Salon and Spa

• Growin’ Green

• The Inn on Whitworth

• Inside-Out

• J. Allan’s

• Judy’s II

• Lemenadi

• Macy Taylor’s

• Melinda’s Fabrics and Interiors

• Michael Logan Men’s Shop

• Nathan Allen Jewelers

• Poppa’s Fish House

• Persimmons

• Repetitions

• Roxie Magnolia

• Sassy but Sweet

• Smith’s Jewelry

• Snazzie’s

• Southern Flaunt

• Southern Treasurers

• T.H. Perkins Furniture

• Tillman’s Furniture

• Vendor’s Emporium