Two families have officially kicked off Black Friday fever by becoming the first in the nation to get in line for a bargain about an entire week early.
The Thain and the Davenport families set up camp together in a tent and gazebo outside the entrance of the Best Buy store in St Petersburg, Florida on Friday because they wanted to make sure they were first in what is sure to be a long line.
Family members will take it in turns to sit outside the shop until early on Friday morning when the doors are opened to the public.
The families have already been rewarded with an early Christmas gift. When Best Buy managers realized mothers Tina Thain and Lorie Davenport were the first to start queueing in the country they gave them both an iPad. A great goodwill gesture by Best Buy, but judging by the size of one of the ladies, let's hope she doesn't get hungry and eat the iPad.
‘We just wanted to be sure the early bird got the worm,’ said the pair.
‘'I really didn't think about the days. We really didn't think about it because we just wanted to be first,' Thain told ABC.
'Now it's really sinking in that we really are the first people in line. It's kind of exciting.'
The pair said that the camp-out was not just about getting the best deal - but also about their strong friendship.
'It's a great time for us to catch up because we don't get to see each other with our work schedules very often,' Thain said. 'It's a great time for friendship, fellowship. it might've been easier if they just went to dinner or something.'
Mrs Thain and Mrs Davenport, in their 40s, may be the first, but they are definitely not the last to join a line for Black Friday.
Millions of shoppers will be out hunting for the best bargains on Black Friday, and some will be starting on stores that will be open Thanksgiving Day. Retailers will be ready with plenty of product and good deals.
Sunday, April 16, 2017 at 8:22AM 
