In Blair County, crowds of shoppers were in Altoona scouting out deals for the season's most coveted gifts. At the Logan Valley Mall, people lined up earlier than ever to hunt for deals.

By 3 a.m. Friday, nearly 100 shoppers were standing in the rain for the appliance line at Sears, another 150 were inside the concourse for JC Penney until the doors opens and shoppers from across the region rushed in.

"We're having fun," said shopper Bobbie Jo Raney. "Actually, we already took a load home. It's our second trip. We've been to Walmart; we had to take a load home to Claysburg and back. Lots of toys and electronics."

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Nationally, Americans are expected to spend 2 or 3 percent more than last year. But many local people said this year is all about the necessities, like Michelle Saylor, of Duncansville, who was looking to replace an appliance.

Despite the uptick in online sales and Cyber Monday, Logan Valley Mall representatives said technology still hasn't stopped families from their post-Thanksgiving tradition.

"People have been waiting outside with umbrellas. They're coming inside, looking through things, waiting and getting their shopping done," said Joy Weidel of the mall.

And with just 26 shopping days until Christmas, people in In Richland Township, Cambria County, stood outside in cold, wet weather before being let inside to Toys R' Us, Richland Towne Center and the Johnstown Galleria. Stores at the mall opened around 4 a.m., and despite crowds and long lines, people still weathered the challenges. One woman said she even waited four hours to get a television.

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