That’s true because many stores open for “Black Thursday” in the evening on Thanksgiving Thursday — but also true for those that don’t.

Angela and Norman Lee, from the Paton/Churdan area, got to Menards at 8 p.m. Thursday to wait for the Friday opening.

“Why not?” Angela Lee said. “We want those electronics. There’s a certain something my three children wanted, and Menards has it.”

There was definitely a financial aspect to getting their early to win the deals.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Madison Grepner, of Pocahontas, left, looks over some Black Friday deals as she waits outside Target with her mother, Crystal Grepner, Thursday night.

“Being a mom of five and two grandchildren, you have to stretch it,” Lee said. “This is what you do as a parent.”

But there’s much more to it than that, Lee said. They also come out for the fun of it — and for tradition. As each of her girls gets older, they all make the special early morning trip with mom.

“For me it’s spending time with my kids,” Lee said. “It’s tradition. I used to do it with my mom.”

As the Lees waited at the front of the line next to the doors, farther back Samantha Birzer, of Fort Dodge, was waiting wrapped up in a blanket.

She had been there for about an hour before the doors opened. Once she got inside, knowing where to get what you wanted was key.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
A line of shoppers wait outside Kohl’s in Fort Dodge Thursday night.

“The map is important,” she said, looking at the paper that had been given out to all in line a short time before.

“The biggest thing is grab a cart, or you won’t have one,” added Doug Mueler, of Lehigh.

The carts were all ready to go, and all the checkout counters were manned as employees waited to welcome their guests.

“A lot of the time it’s just preparation. We make sure things are as easy as possible for our guests,” said General Manager Travis Spiker, who said there were 480 in line at the latest count.

And while the shoppers may get enthusiastic, it’s not like the frenzy you sometimes see on TV, Spiker said.

-Messenger photo by Joe Sutter
Samantha Birzer checks the map that was handed out to shoppers waiting in line at Menards. Knowing what you’re looking for and where to find it is important for Black Friday success.

“With the six stores I’ve been at,” he said, “Menards shoppers are good guests. I’ve never seen a mob rush.”

Thursday evening, Jaiseph Clabaugh waited with a group of friends for an hour and a half outside of Kohl’s.

“I am just looking for whatever is cheapest,” he said.

Kelly Beals and Brooke Lautner, both of Fort Dodge, was there for moral support, they said.

“I might check out some watches or jewelry,” Beals said.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
A wave of shoppers make their way into Kohl’s in Fort Dodge Thursday night.

Clabaugh’s friend, Klae Roberson, of Fort Dodge, planned to go after a TV.

Mario Point, of Humboldt, brought his daughter, Hannah Point, 13, and son, Brandon Point, 16, to Kohl’s.

Mario Point said he goes almost every year.

“We are in the front of the line this time,” he said.

Brandon Point was going to try and purchase an Iowa Hawkeyes watch, he said.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Shoppers make their way to the front doors of Kohl’s in Fort Dodge Thursday night.

He was hoping to get what they needed and get back home.

“Hopefully we can get in and get out so we can go watch the Cowboys game,” he said. “They need all the help they can get.”

Over at Walmart and Target, the parking lots grew so full shoppers had to park at the Crossroads Mall and walk.

Madison Grepner, of Pocahontas, was waiting outside Target with her mother, Crystal Grepner.

They came prepared with coats, hats, and a blanket.

“It’s nice out,” Crystal Grepner said. “This year we didn’t have to bring as much.”

She said they are always interested in the electronics.

Madison Grepner said it’s usually a fun night out.

“I like craziness of it,” she said. “It’s fun.”

Logan Ross, of Fort Dodge, was waiting with his friend, Chris Sherrer, of Centersville, Georgia.

“It’s a beautiful night, I’ll say that,” Ross said.

He was planning to buy a new TV.

“I pick up a TV almost every year,” he said. “I have a lot of people who come over to use the TVs, so they wear out fast.”

Sherrer was planning to buy a new video game console.

“I am going for the Xbox One S,” he said. “It had a huge price drop.”

He said the the new system would provide entertainment for him while he travels for work.

“I drive truck for a living,” Sherrer said.

Ross and Sherrer were headed to another store afterwards to buy some new games.

“You can’t get a new console without games,” Ross said.

Mason Charon, 13, of Humboldt, was excited to get his hands on a new pair of headphones.

“I am getting some Beats,” he said.

He said he was going to use the equipment “mostly for school.”