AURELIUS #- Warren and Kelly Burchim, of Venice Center, came to Bass Pro Shops Thursday night fully prepared with all their camping gear, ready to brave the night out in front of the store.
Glenn Gaston / Special to The Citizen
Connor Rumble of Jamesville roasts a marshmallow over a fire outside Bass Pro Shops during the evening before Black Friday.
Connor Rumble of Jamesville roasts a marshmallow over a fire outside Bass Pro Shops during the evening before Black Friday.
The Burchims were not deterred by the cold weather one bit.
“In October we went up to the Adirondacks and went camping,” Kelly said. “When we woke up there was snow all over our tent. For us this is just another camping trip.”
The Burchims were among the many taking the opportunity to get a jump on Black Friday, with Bass Pro Shops keeping its doors open Thursday and extending into the night with the store's second annual Black Friday Campout.
For the Burchims it wasn't so much about shopping as it was the adventure.
“There are a few things we are looking for,” Warren said. “But for us that is not the big draw, we just thought that this would be cool to do to be here and campout.”
Whether it was for the adventure of braving a night outside, or to be ready when the mall opened its doors in the wee hours of Friday morning, the scene was well set for a night of camping, with coffee and hot chocolate and fire pits giving off a relaxing warmth out in front of the store.
George Fiorille, promotions manager for Bass Pro Shops, said that all of this was an effort to help get people in the spirit of the holiday season.
And this year things seemed to be off to a better start.
“We had a few people show up last year,” Fiorille said. “The weather was pretty bad last year, cold and snowing. But this year we've had a few more people show up. Some come out just to sit around the campfire and have some s'mores, others want to camp out here and be the first in line when the store opens at 6 a.m. The idea is just get people out and do something a little bit different.”
To help promote the event, the Aurelius shop was giving away $25, $50 and $100 gift certificates throughout the evening and those in attendance could also register for a $5,000 Shell gas card or a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops gift certificate.
After a bountiful Christmas meal, many, like Charles and Betty Robinson, of Savannah, were happy to sit by the fire and get a breath of fresh air.
“I think it is really neat,” Charles said.
While there was a great deal of activity outside the store Thursday night, there was a lot going on inside as well.
Bass Pro Shops kept its doors open for business throughout much of the day Thursday. Inside the store, the decor has been well into Christmas mode since early November.
Fiorille said that when the space used for Tracker Boats was moved to a new location the available space was converted into Santa#,s Wonderland. The area is geared toward children and families, with activities every weekend. Children and families have been decorating ornaments, playing free games, like a virtual Red Ryder B.B. Gun shooting range and sipping hot chocolate and coffee. Children, families and even pets can also get their picture taken with the jolly old elf.
“In October we went up to the Adirondacks and went camping,” Kelly said. “When we woke up there was snow all over our tent. For us this is just another camping trip.”
The Burchims were among the many taking the opportunity to get a jump on Black Friday, with Bass Pro Shops keeping its doors open Thursday and extending into the night with the store's second annual Black Friday Campout.
For the Burchims it wasn't so much about shopping as it was the adventure.
“There are a few things we are looking for,” Warren said. “But for us that is not the big draw, we just thought that this would be cool to do to be here and campout.”
Whether it was for the adventure of braving a night outside, or to be ready when the mall opened its doors in the wee hours of Friday morning, the scene was well set for a night of camping, with coffee and hot chocolate and fire pits giving off a relaxing warmth out in front of the store.
George Fiorille, promotions manager for Bass Pro Shops, said that all of this was an effort to help get people in the spirit of the holiday season.
And this year things seemed to be off to a better start.
“We had a few people show up last year,” Fiorille said. “The weather was pretty bad last year, cold and snowing. But this year we've had a few more people show up. Some come out just to sit around the campfire and have some s'mores, others want to camp out here and be the first in line when the store opens at 6 a.m. The idea is just get people out and do something a little bit different.”
To help promote the event, the Aurelius shop was giving away $25, $50 and $100 gift certificates throughout the evening and those in attendance could also register for a $5,000 Shell gas card or a $1,000 Bass Pro Shops gift certificate.
After a bountiful Christmas meal, many, like Charles and Betty Robinson, of Savannah, were happy to sit by the fire and get a breath of fresh air.
“I think it is really neat,” Charles said.
While there was a great deal of activity outside the store Thursday night, there was a lot going on inside as well.
Bass Pro Shops kept its doors open for business throughout much of the day Thursday. Inside the store, the decor has been well into Christmas mode since early November.
Fiorille said that when the space used for Tracker Boats was moved to a new location the available space was converted into Santa#,s Wonderland. The area is geared toward children and families, with activities every weekend. Children and families have been decorating ornaments, playing free games, like a virtual Red Ryder B.B. Gun shooting range and sipping hot chocolate and coffee. Children, families and even pets can also get their picture taken with the jolly old elf.
