Editor’s note: One in a series.

Holiday sales could bring a slew of shoppers to area clothiers and shoe stores this weekend.

No, it’s not THAT holiday. It’s a three-day holiday from having to pay sales taxes on clothing and shoes.

Oklahoma’s second annual back-to-school sales tax holiday runs Friday through Sunday. Shoppers and retailers say it’s like Christmas in August.

“It’s insanity, nuts,” said Gwen Clemmer, manager of the Rainbow clothing store at Arrowhead Mall. “Last year, everyone and their dog was out here shopping for back-to-school.”

People still will have to pay sales tax on things for their dog.

Clemmer said she worked at a different store during last year’s tax-free holiday, and sales were about as brisk then as on the day before Christmas. She said she’s getting extra help and stocking up for this weekend’s crowd.

Linda Sacks, manager of The Shoe Dept., at River City Shopping Center said the store ordered a bigger shipment of footwear “to keep us prepared.”

“Back-to-school in retail is our second Christmas season,” she said.

Shelley Wacker said she spends about $400 on shoes and clothes for her daughter, Briana, who is going into the seventh grade at Ben Franklin Science Academy. She said she saved about $100 when she shopped at last year’s tax-free holiday.

Wagoner mother Nenah Yochum said she saved “quite a lot of money last year.

“And it seemed that stores had more selection,” she said. “They knew people were coming.”

Oklahoma Tax Commission Communications Director Paula Ross said Oklahomans saved about $6.4 million during last year’s tax-free weekend. However, overall sales tax collections for August were no lower than usual, she said.