Western Mass residents head south for Black Friday deals - Western Mass News - WGGB/WSHM

Blue Laws prohibit stores here in Massachusetts from opening on Thanksgiving.

But Connecticut doesn't have those laws, leading many Western Mass residents to cross the boarder to get a jump-start on those Black Friday deals.

They come in the dozens, bundled head to toe in winter gear. They sifted through catalogs to find the biggest bang for their buck. These groups of people are known as the Black Friday shoppers.

And among the crowd is Agawam resident Tonya Skovorodina.
   
"It's a tradition I've been doing it for the past four years. I just keep going back just for fun," said Skovorodina.

And she's not alone.

Hundreds wrapped around the Enfield, CT, Best Buy braving the cold, all to get their hands on the top-rated gadgets at the lowest prices.

Skovorodina stood in that line for 6 hours awaiting the gates to be lifted at the entrance, but she came prepared.
   
"We bring snacks and wear a lot of layers," said Skovorodina.

And and then finally, at 6 p.m., the doors opened and shoppers were allowed in.

Skovorodina said she didn't necessarily go with a game plan as to when she got into the store, but just 10 minutes later, she left with a blue bag filled with electronic gold.
 
"We bought some games, we bought some Blu-rays, headphones and an iPod Nano," said Skovorodina.

It wasn't the typical Black Friday pandemonium at the Best Buy Thursday night.

Employees stood at the door with a counter, and with each tick, only a certain number of shoppers were allowed in at a time.

Skovorodina said it made the shopping experience less hectic.

"I've been in past years where everyone goes in. So this time there's less people, and people come in and out," said Skovorodina.

Skovorodina said Thursday night was enough for her Black Friday shopping - at least for a little while, as she head home to rest up for more.

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