People were in lighthearted moods and tills were ringing along Water Street on Black Friday, the traditional start — and busiest day — of the holiday shopping season.

“It’s a fabulous day, the sun is shining and people are in fabulous moods,” said Chris Dewees, who works at What’s Cooking. “Life can’t get any better.”

Many merchants said it was too early to know how this Black Friday will compare to year’s past, but most agreed it was on track to meet expectations.

“I just got in an hour ago,” Dewees said at noon Friday, “and it’s been constant. This town’s having a great day.”

Others echoed her sentiments, noting that shoppers represented people from all over the United States, Canada and even South America.

“Lots of families are in town, and people are bringing them downtown,” said Paulette Lack, owner of Mad Hatter and Co. “I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but we opened early and it’s been busy.”

“It’s going well,” agreed Marion Lodwick, owner of Abracadabra. “It’s a gorgeous day, the sun is out and people are ready to have a good time. People are buying things for mom, kids, sisters, girlfriends; the guys are in here — whole families come in.”

Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and the Merchant Holiday Open House are part of Port Townsend’s Main Street holiday promotion.

“Judging from Small Business Saturday, we’re off to a strong start,” said Mari F. Mullen, executive director of the Main Street program.

“For every dollar spent in town, 67 cents stays in our community,” she continued. “When you support local shopping and dining, you provide jobs, help preserve the character of our town and contribute to the tax base. The business generated over the holidays helps merchants get through the slower first quarter of the year.”

The Port Townsend Main Street Program also added ambience, with more lights and decorations and the Wild Rose Chorale singing on the street. Merchants went over the top in decorated shop windows, too.

“There was strong foot-traffic,” Mullen said, “and a number of stores offered sales, later hours and treats.”

Browsing for ‘unique’

Most shoppers said they were visiting family in Port Townsend over the Thanksgiving holidays and came downtown to get some downtime from family, start their Christmas shopping and get out into the sunshine and brisk air.

“We’d always heard about Port Townsend, and never been there,” said Jenna Berry, of Sacramento, whose great-grandmother used to live here.

A group of women got a headstart on the day and, with “mom” Andrea Neault of Port Ludlow leading the way, held in their arms numerous packages and bags stuffed with clothing, calendars, record albums, books and stocking stuffer trinkets. None admitted to shopping for the best Black Friday deals.

“I’m spending time with my favorite women,” said Jillian Neault of Bothell.

“It’s lady’s day; shopping,” chimed in Sonia Doughty of Belleview.

“The unexpected treasures!” said Tori Walen, also of Bothell.

“The second-hand goodies,” Neault said.

“And we’re only halfway done,” Doughty said with a laugh.

Patra Conley of Portland and Cathy Stevenson of Vancouver, B.C., were admiring T-shirts in the window at Northwest Man.

“I wasn’t going to (go shopping), but Port Townsend is so enticing, you can’t stay away,” Stevenson said, pulling items from her bags and showing off her purchases from other stores. And, finger back to the window: “These T-shirts are amazing.”

Uptown crafts

Uptown, Raynette Kahoohanohano of Puyallup was on a mission.

She and Olivia Toma are avid crafters, heard about the fair here and ventured over in search of unique items. Toma admitted she was unlikely to find the items made from tin cans or cigar boxes that she likes to collect, but Kahoohanohano said she thought she’d have better luck, as she’s drawn to cat- and nautically-themed gifts.

Deb Ozga of Sequim was on her first round of the craft fair and admitted she wasn’t looking for anything in particular, but was likely to find something that caught her eye.

“There’s so many beautiful things here,” she said. “They’re made regionally, they’re handmade and you couldn’t find them on Amazon.”

Many admitted they were shopping for themselves.

“It kind of makes me feel guilty,” said Melissa Harper, a Port Townsend native now living in Santa Fe, New Mexico. “But I enjoy handmade things; I’m looking for whatever inspires me. And I have a soft spot for anything with ponies on it.”

She was being sized for a leather belt — with ponies stamped into it — and added it to her holiday purchases.

Susan Stone was also shopping for herself.

“I love to see creativity in action,” she said. “And there’s lots of creativity here.”

“I thought it would be fun to come to the craft fair,” said Jane Maxwell, a recent transplant from Denver. “I like that it’s local, most items are handmade, it keeps money in the area and it’s not seen in Wal-Mart.”

Marty Bogart of Bellfaire was shopping for stocking stuffers for her mother’s seven caregivers.

“I’ve got ornaments, candles, lip balms … These caregivers are the reason we can keep Mom in her house.”

Liana Barger drove over from Marrowstone Island specifically for a stone necklace similar to one she purchased last year from Vicki Morgan of Joyce.

“I get so many compliments on mine,” she said, “So I’m getting one for my sister, my secret Santa … and, yeah ... me.”