KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Black Friday deals around East Tennessee got under way before Thanksgiving Day was even over.

In Knoxville, Toys "R" Us opened at 8:00 pm so shoppers could score some huge deals on toys for the little ones. This is the first year stores have opened on Thanksgiving night, and retailers hoped for a big turnout. One trade group says about 17% of shoppers knocked out some of their shopping on Turkey Day.

In Kodak, Black Friday shoppers checked out the best deals on everything outdoors at Bass Pro Shops. The store opened its doors at 8:00 am Thanksgiving morning and didn't shut until 6:00 that night. One woman said the opportunity to shop there has become a tradition in her family and they aren't taking the workers' sacrifice for granted.

And at the Walmart in Jefferson City Thursday night, the aisles filled with shoppers during the store's late night sale. It's typical to see people trying to get a good deal and doing it shoulder to shoulder.