Black Friday shoppers line up at 5 a.m. at the JCPenney entrance outside the Logan Valley Mall. Mirror photo by Colette Costlow

After spending Thanksgiving with family and friends, hundreds of shoppers lined up around the JCPenney entrance at the Logan Valley Mall on Black Friday, waiting for doors to open at 5 a.m.

This year, the National Retail Federation projected that 130.4 million Americans would shop on Black Friday, which is included in the projected 186.9 million who will continue to shop this weekend’s Small Business Saturday and into Cyber Monday.

This weekend is expected to draw in the largest number of shoppers on record, according to the NRF.

Johnstown resident Vanessa Gustkey stood outside JCPenney with her daughter and friends for a chance to grab a special Black Friday coupon.

“Got to get them coupons,” she said.

For a limited time that morning, JCPenney workers handed out coupons valid for $10 off a $10 purchase, but there was a chance that shoppers could receive a lucky $500 off a $500 purchase coupon. Small Snoopy snowglobes were also handed out with a coupon.

Gustkey’s friend, Emilea Rippin, said they woke up at 2 a.m. to travel to Target, but they “ditched” the line since it was “wrapped around the building.”

Target also hosted a “swag bag” giveaway starting at 6 a.m. for its first 100 shoppers in line. Each customer received a metallic Target tote bag filled with surprise items, but only 10 bags held extra prizes such as a Ninja Slushie Maker, Beats Solo 4 Headphones or a $100 Target gift card.

Gustkey and Rippin decided that the chances weren’t worth it, so they went to JCPenney instead, Rippin said.

They aren’t new to the Black Friday game — Rippin said they have been early-morning shopping for 11 years.

“We’ve said for the last couple of years that Black Friday is not what it used to be,” she added. “The deals aren’t the same; everybody used to start on Thanksgiving.”

Although Black Friday isn’t what it used to be, Gustkey said they “still come out and just enjoy ourselves.”

Gustkey’s daughter, Peyton Gustkey, 18, and family friend, Hannah Saylor, 11, said they tagged along for Starbucks.

It was “too early” for Maryland resident Aleah George, 16, as she went to the Logan Valley Mall with her cousins, Dana Bradford, 18, and Lily Hajzus, 25, of Altoona.

They did, however, hit Starbucks on their way from Target that morning, ordering hot chocolates and a chai latte.

While being part of Generation Z, the group of girls collectively preferred in-person shopping over online browsing.

“I’m crazy, I like to go out and do stuff,” Bradford said.

When asked how long they have been going Black Friday shopping, Hajzus said 25 years with a laugh.

Reflecting on Black Friday’s past, she remembered that someone “slammed” a television into her aunt’s head at Walmart about 20 years ago.

They remain optimistic about keeping up the tradition for another 25 years.

Pittsburgh resident Carley Pearson said she’s been Black Friday shopping with her mom for 15 years.

“As soon as I knew, she started taking me shopping with her,” she said, mentioning that they would stand in a line outside of Toys R Us at 4 a.m.

This year, Pearson and her boyfriend, Dustin Butler, were walking around the Logan Valley Mall before the shops officially opened at 7 a.m.

Butler was excited to shop with Pearson, as they were looking for Christmas gifts for their four daughters. But Pearson said she started this season’s Christmas shopping in the summer.

“I actually got cheaper deals over the summer when they do their summer clearance before schoolroom toys,” she said, compared to this year’s Black Friday bargains.

Over the summer, she bought a handful of Barbie dolls for under $12. She said they currently retail for $14.

While $2 isn’t much, Pearson said it still adds up and can make a difference.

It was Robyn Kasun’s first time Black Friday shopping with her daughter and granddaughters, she said, “because they made me.”

Kasun’s daughter, Erica Keagy, said Black Friday shopping is more about the tradition for them.

Starting their day off at 4:30 a.m., the family made stops at Target, Starbucks (for a caffeine boost) and the mall.

Granddaughters Rylie Keagy, 18, and Locklyn Keagy, 12, said they were getting antsy while waiting for the American Eagle & Aerie stores to open.

Rylie likes online shopping for its efficiency, but in-person shopping allows for a better understanding of the materials and colors used.

Her grandmother, however, prefers online shopping because she dislikes crowds.

“That’s why I’ve never gone Black Friday shopping,” Kasun added.

She wasn’t anxious about the crowds on Friday “because I have my family here,” she said.

“We’ve been having some good laughs,” she added.

Mirror Staff Writer Colette Costlow is at 814-946-7414.