PHOTOS: Connecticut Residents Start Black Friday Shopping On Thanksgiving

If you open the stores the people will come. At least that was the case at Clinton Crossing Premium Outlets where stores opened as early as 9 p.m., on Thanksgiving night for Black Friday shopping.

It was all part of an event dubbed Black Friday Midnight Madness. Shoppers from around the area, full on turkey and ready to get a head start on finding those Black Friday deals quickly filled up the parking lots and the stores.

Outside of J. Crew, where a line of about 20 shoppers waited to go inside an employee handed out candy canes. In Saks Fifth Avenue an employee handed out chocolates to those waiting in line to purchase their finds. Outside carolers sang Christmas songs those wandering about.

There were shoppers from Mystic and Ledyard, from Clinton and Madison and throughout the state. Some carried bags weighing them down, while others were just waiting, looking slightly bored, for family or friends to be ready to leave.