Nancy Woolery of Princeton, Kan., drove to Lawrence on Friday to stack up some holiday deals at J.C. Penney Co., 3311 Iowa.

It’s a tradition that has become as American as the turkey and trimmings of Thanksgiving: Black Friday holiday shopping.

But the shopping started earlier than usual, as for the first time many retailers opened late on Thursday instead of early-morning Friday. And Lawrence residents showed up in droves seeking deals, though some said the change in store openings encroached on the holiday.

Others said they see the shopping as part of the holiday. Brenda Kratzberg, Ottawa, and her mother, daughter, sister and niece said they all met in Lawrence for post-Thanksgiving, pre-Christmas shopping on this day every year for almost 15 years.

And some folks said they thought this year’s activity had been more subdued than in the past — maybe that global recession we’ve been hearing about? — but almost all said the crowds they did see were well contained and the waiting wasn’t too bad.

Here are some of the survivor stories shoppers shared outside Best Buy, 2020 West 31st St., and Kohl’s, 3240 Iowa.

• Larry Kiehl, Easton, started at 7:30 a.m.; went to Kohl’s and Sears, 2727 Iowa; and was hiding a gift from Best Buy in his car when we spoke to him around 11 a.m.

“I don’t think there’s as many people this year as there have been in previous years. When I’ve done this before, it’s been packed — you can’t even move — but this year it was more quiet.”

• Carolyn Crawford, Lawrence, went to Walmart, 550 Congressional Drive, and Best Buy (two trips — Thursday night and Friday morning).

“We drove by Target at 1 (a.m. Friday); there was a big line outside, even though it was open — I guess they were controlling how many people came in and out.”

On the hard-core camping-type shoppers: “It’s kind of silly.”

On her combination late-night and late-morning shopping: “It’s been good. We stuck to our list and for the rest, we’re waiting for Cyber Monday.”

• Colette Krupco, McLouth, had been to J.C. Penney, 3311 Iowa, Walmart, and was walking into Kohl’s.

“My family mapped out a plan last night — all the ads spread out on a table. Strategic.”

• Judy Desetti, Lawrence, was “resting” with her grandson, Landon Steel, 5, and dog, Olive, in between trips.

“We thought, ‘Let’s just see what’s out there.’ I came out because I’m getting 20 percent off.”

• Rosalee Bures, Garnett, was with her sister-in-law, Anita Bures, Topeka.

“We come out to Lawrence every year together because Kansas City is just too crazy.”

• Jessica Kratzberg, Brenda Kratzberg, Shelley Welch, Heather Johnson and Hope Lictig had gone to Walmart in Ottawa on Thursday night and several stores in Lawrence on Friday morning.

Brenda, on Walmart shopping at 10 p.m. Thursday: “It was crazy. It was probably worse at 10 o’clock than when they do it at 6 or 5.”

Hope: “I got an adrenaline rush from it, though.”

Jessica: “We’re about to drop.”