(Terri Castelaz/Daily News photo) Marge Kovala of Flowerland Greenhouse Inc. gets ready for Girls’ Night Out in Iron Mountain. The gift shop features a large selection of Christmas items and “everyday” decor and gifts. The shop at 1511 S. Stephenson Ave. will be open from 5 to 8 p.m. Thursday, offering discounts, drawings for gift certificates, along with appetizers, desserts and refreshments.

IRON MOUNTAIN — Girls’ Night Out on Thursday will offer the chance to “Shop, Sip and Socialize.”

The annual event, coordinated by the Iron Mountain Downtown Development Authority, is planned from 5 to 8 p.m. throughout the downtown and surrounding area.

“Currently we have 32 participating businesses that will offer different specials during their extended hours,” DDA Event Coordinator Kenzie Williamsen said. “It’s one of the downtown’s biggest shopping days of the year.”

The event will also conclude the last Third Thursdays for the year, sponsored by Linnea & Kristine.

Williamsen noted that many of the businesses will be giving away raffle baskets and/or gift cards that evening.

“Loyal 2 Local partnered with Erickson Jewelers and they have 20 gift baskets to present at Girls’ Night Out,” she said. “Even Multi-State Realty is giving away a smart TV — that’s a big one.”

Taking part in this year’s GNO are Linnea & Kristine, The Man Cave, The Real Heal, Lume Cannabis Co., Mayme’s, Sandstone Terrace, Carlos Cantina, Extraordinary Interiors, Bijou Lovely, Multi-State Realty, Echo Boutique, Simple Treasures, Advanta Print, Contrast Coffee, Lydia’s by Crock and Rocker, Salon 323, U.P. Sport & Spoke, Erickson Jewelers, Rejuvenate Salon, Glow Sculpting Spa, Mully & Mo’s, Oddfellows, John Fornetti, Dulce Nulla Gourmet Desserts, Exhale 906, Round 2, Blackstone Pizza, O.M. GiGi Boutique, Brick & Mortar, Good Earth Salon, Flowerland and Higher Love in Norway.

The DDA wants to stress to shoppers that the promotions do not start until 5 p.m. “Many ladies were excited and came in early last year, which prompted a few businesses to close from 4 to 5 p.m. to prepare for the evening,” she said.

Williamsen noted several other businesses have set events for that evening as well, they just didn’t list them in the DDA marketing, which is sponsored by First Bank.

Shoppers can go to the DDA’s Facebook page or website at www.downtownironmountain.com for a complete list of business hours and specials they will offer for the evening. Maps are available to print.

The maps and promotions were made easier to follow this year, Williamsen added.

The DDA will have a pop-up shop at Oddfellows, offering DDA merchandise, beautification T-shirts and festival tickets. They have $10 dried flower ornaments as well.

In conjunction with Girls’ Night Out, the Iron Mountain Public Arts Advisory Committee will again host the Iron Mountain Downtown Art Crawl. The GNO map will also indicate where art is being displayed.

Businesses will showcase local artist’s work. Artists include Laura Lobner, JosiahJ Photography, Aaliyah Annette Simmons, Amy Hall, William Reiche and Tris Bain.

After a full evening of shopping, ladies are invited to “Wine & Unwind” at the Girls’ Night Out After Party at Oddfellows. The music duo of CJO and Trev of Eagle River, Wis., featuring Carolyn Jo Weber and Trevor Moore, will play from 7 to 9 p.m. Lume is back as the entertainment sponsors for the second year.

“They are the reason we can provide music for the after party,” Williamsen said.

The DDA will conduct their prize drawings during this time. Winners do not need to be present.

“Rather than doing the 50 free gifts to people, we will be giving away multiple GNO gift baskets, along with the Third Thursday drawings,” she said. “Any Third Thursday tickets that shoppers still have can be brought to Oddfellows.”

The DDA will not be using the shopping card this year, due to the confusion between the businesses and consumers last year. “We realized the businesses give enough stuff on their own, we just want them to push their giveways to get people into their doors,” she said.

Williamsen noted that John Fornetti Dental, which also has a pop-up display at Oddfellows, is celebrating its 40th anniversary and will present free gifts to the first 40 guests.

Oddfellows will be open to the public for dinner starting at 4:30 p.m. with a special, along with happy hour all night.

“Round 2 — formerly the Blind Pig — is opening to the public for Girls Night Out, too,” she said. “They will have also karaoke and doing food as well.”

Girls’ Night Out was created to boost the local economy in the vibrant downtown, offering the ladies of the community a chance to unite with friends and celebrate during hunting season. All the proceeds from GNO go to support beautification efforts in the downtown district.

“I’m excited and look forward to a great evening,” Williamsen said. “It also looks like we won’t have snow this year — which is a bonus.”

The next DDA event is the Christmas Walk on Friday, Dec. 8.

Terri Castelaz can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 241, or tcastelaz@ironmountaindailynews.com.