It's official...the holiday shopping season has officially begun and people were out bright and early to try and snag Black Friday deals.

Kayli Tarcy, Marketing Director at Cross County Center in Yonkers says, "We opened up at 7 Am as did most of our stores and Target actually opened at 6 AM with a huge line out the door."

Retailers say they expect record numbers this year between Black Friday and Cyber- Monday, with the majority of folks shopping online, but some shoppers like Melissa Catral of the Bronx says she prefers the old fashioned way, "Everyone just stays home and shops on line but the thrill of it is going in the stores." Her friend Kristi Lupo agrees saying "I liked going at 3AM, watching people fight over TVs, the thrill is gone but it's still kind of fun."

Cross County Center officials say they hope to attract shoppers throughout the season with special events such as photos with Santa, a pop-up ice-skating rink, holiday food truck and vender market and more.