Shoppers skip big meal to get deals

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) - Hundreds of Hampton Roads' most determined shoppers braved cold temperatures and skipped a traditional Thanksgiving meal to participate in Black Friday.

WAVY.com spoke with a family who even took shifts eating dinner so their spots would not be lost in line.

"I fixed the turkey earlier, and then after me and my daughter ate, then I came to pick up my son so he could eat with his dad, and then we came and sat in the line," said Amy Gagliardi, who waited in line at Best Buy in Chesapeake.

The store gives out vouchers for door buster items and officially opens its doors at midnight.

People in line passed the time playing on cell phones, watching movies on laptops and reading.

"I started on page one and I'm on 392," said Caroline Padilla, who brought a book. Padilla thinks she will finish before the doors open.

Those at the very front of the line staked out their sports Wednesday afternoon and are guaranteed to grab the best deals.

"I was pleasantly surprised to find out I was first," said Scott Humpert, who arrived Wednesday at 4 p.m.. "I ran out of my car, got my tent, got over here and got set up."

Many of customers recognize each other from previous Black Friday events. They say the mood is most intense around 10 p.m. when others try to cut the line.

"You'll see a revolution about to happen," said Humpert. "Because everybody starts sticking up for each other in line here, because everyone's been here for 24 hours."