PENSACOLA - The unofficial start to the holiday shopping season is hours away.

Budgets are tight but that isn't stopping many people from taking part in what's become a holiday tradition.

With sleeping bags rolled out and lawn chairs in tow early bird shoppers came prepared to wait for the deals.

"It's kinda a father son tradition, me and my dad do it every year. It's just a lot of fun, we get some good deals," said Timothy Kaemmerer.

"We've been out here since seven o'clock yesterday," said Shawn Chamblee.

But it's not for himself. Shawn Chamblee is in line for another reason.

"For my brother, we came out here just for an alarm clock," said Chamblee. "It's a really good deal... that's all we really came out here for."

Around seven o'clock on Thanksgiving night there were about thirty to forty people in line outside the Best Buy in Pensacola.

And there's still plenty room left to go.

To bide the time some brought books, legos and snacks. Others thumbed through ads making notes.

"I came out here yesterday at eleven, after working thirteen hours to get out here and catch a good deal," said Jaz Jones. "Every little bit counts, the economy is so bad out here. If I can get something for $300 or $400 dollars, that's usually $1500... I've saved a lot."

"Because of how the economy is, I guess it really does count how the money goes now," said Shawn Chamblee.

Retailers are anxiously awaiting black friday shoppers.

The National Retail Federation expects holiday sales to rise two-point-two percent this year, which would still be the weakest gain in six years.

Black Friday