Turkey is to Thanksgiving Dinner what earlybird shopping has become to Black Friday.

In recent years, Black Friday has become a frenzy of activity, with special events and rock-bottom prices to entice shoppers into its doors even earlier. And with blowout bargain prices on everything from clothing to toys, electronics to appliances and all gifts in between, retailers throughout Albert Lea are ramping up for the biggest shopping day of the year.

Walmart, which is already open 24 hours a day, including Thanksgiving Day, begins its first round of doorbusters at 12:01 a.m. Friday.

Shopko, also open Thanksgiving Day from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., will open for business at 5 a.m. Friday.

According to store manager Mike Sailstad, the store has been preparing for Black Friday all week, getting all of its product on the shelves.

He expects people to begin lining up as early as 4 a.m.

“We set up stanchions for the lines and it all goes very smooth,” he said.

Northbridge Mall opens at 7 a.m. Friday, although several stores within the mall will open earlier. Herberger’s department store leads the helm, opening at 3 a.m., followed by Dunham’s Sports at 5 a.m. and Schweser’s at 6 a.m.

Tammy Goodell, manager of Herberger’s, isn’t sure what time shoppers will line up.

“This is the first year we’ve opened at 3 a.m. Last year, we opened at 4 a.m.,” she said.

The day after Thanksgiving has long been known as the unofficial kickoff to holiday shopping. For many retailers, it’s the day of the year where they go from the red, or posting a loss on the books, to the black, or turning a profit.

While Black Friday is often recognized for doorbusters at the big-box retailers, locally owned businesses are also getting in on the fun. Businesses in downtown Albert Lea will be open extended hours on Friday, with Celebrations Party & Gifts opening at 7 a.m. and several others open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. Shoppers and children alike will enjoy a visit from Santa, 10 a.m. until noon, followed by Albert Lea High School Caroliers, from 2 until 4 p.m.

Downtown Albert Lea will continue the holiday shopping celebration through Jan. 1, with holiday music, voting for the best window and extended hours at participating stores.

The Black Friday craze has also swept through retailers not typically recognized for this sort of shopping experience. Hy-Vee will feature not only sale prices on food but also on a variety of gift items and home holiday decor, starting at 6 a.m.

Also opening early on Friday are Home Depot at 5 a.m. and Radio Shack at 5:30 a.m.