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Minot’s merchants are rolling out the black carpet for holiday shoppers to take advantage of great deals on Black Friday. Traditionally the Friday following the U.S. Thanksgiving is the day shoppers line up for a range of low-price deals on everything from toys to major electronics. This year, Thanksgiving is on Thur. Nov. 22, with the Black Friday shopping spree on Fri. Nov. 23. The term “Black Friday” was first used way back in 1869 to describe a day the United States stock market crashed. Its modern connotation is quite a bit more upbeat — it’s now used in marketing to indicate the onset of the Christmas holiday shopping season. Ever since the start of the modern Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in 1924, the Friday after Thanksgiving has been known as the unofficial start to the holiday shopping season. The name “Black Friday” originated in the 1960s and refers to retailers moving from the “red” in their finances, to “black.” It references the days before computer spreadsheets, when accounting records were kept in written form and red indicated a loss; black a profit. As retailers began to realize they could draw big crowds by discounting prices, Black Friday became the day to shop, even better than those last-minute Christmas sales. In Minot, many stores be opening their doors early and staying open late to meet their customers’ needs. Canadians heading down to the Magic City of Minot will be sure to find that perfect gift or decorating item at the numerous stores at the Dakota Square Mall or in its historic downtown. Black Friday kicks off with the annual Holiday Open House starting at 3 p.m. downtown. The event, sponsored by the Downtown Business and Professional Association, will feature more than 30 stores who will open their doors for the first sights, sounds and scents of the holiday season. The Dakota Square Mall gets in the spirit with extended hours throughout the holiday season. There will be door buster specials, a selfie station and prizes. The first shoppers in line in the Jcpenney Court will receive a retailer gift to kick-start their shopping. And, of course Santa will be there (see story ‘Santa at the Mall’). Santa is a busy guy this time of year, and will also be downtown during the Open House. There will be various festivities at local businesses including pictures with Santa and Mrs. Claus, dinner with Santa and Mrs. Claus at All Saints Episcopal Church, 301 S Main St., from 5 to 5:45 p.m., a candlelight procession with carolling down Main Street from 5:45 to 6 p.m., plenty of holiday goodies and beverages along Main Street, good old-fashioned hayrides from 3 to 8 p.m. and much more. “The streets will all be decorated and the stores will have their lights on. They will have warm drinks, welcoming our shoppers downtown,” says Eric Hansen, a member of the board of the Minot Downtown Business & Professional Association. A big attraction is the tree lighting ceremony taking place at 6 p.m. on Main St. just north of Central Ave., where the street will be blocked off for the event. It’s a major attraction says Hansen, adding there were more than 3,500 people in attendance last year. “It’ll be a festive occasion,” says Hansen. Festive and fun, combined with Black Friday sales and events, make Minot the place to go this holiday season.