Final preparations are under way for Thursday’s Girls’ Night Out.

     This is the event’s second year and it promises to be bigger and better than last year’s.

     Angie Warren, retail committee chairwoman at the chamber of commerce, said last year there were about 750 attendees, but they are preparing for double that this year.

     “This is the kickoff event to the summer sales,” Warren said when talking about the event previously. “It’s a bargain hunter’s dream.”

     The event will be Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m., and more than 35 area businesses are participating. Every store will feature one-day only sales and door prizes from each store will be given out that night.

     Tickets are $15 and are available at all participating retailers. They go up to $20 at the event. All ticket holders get a T-shirt, a boxed dinner from Broma’s and a chance at door prizes.

     Other festivities include a kickoff event with music at the Bank of Brookhaven from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m., where dinners and T-shirts will be given out. There will also be an ice cream social at Brookhaven Monument from 8 to 10 p.m.

     Warren said the event is the summer’s equivalent to the Christmas open house and really helps retailers get through the summer.

     “It’s a way to help us move out merchandise and generate revenue,” she said.

     So far, about 1,300 tickets have been sold. Warren said it’s important to get tickets early because last year they ran out of T-shirts and dinners.

     “It’s so much fun,” she said. “It’s a great day [for women] to spend some quality time together and at the same time shop.”