Occupy Best Buy?

No, it's just the annual pre-Black Friday encampment of shoppers hoping to get the best deals at the big-box electronics store.

Yes, Black Friday is still five days away. But some campers at Best Buy stores in Tampa and Brandon have had their tents pitched for a couple of days.

They may wind up saving $30 on a camera or GPS, $50 on a laptop or even $100 on a TV. For that, they're willing to rough it for a week on cold concrete with no cooking, no campfire and no showers.

Most stores have Black Friday deals, of course, but not all of them allow camping. Some Best Buy stores practically encourage it.

For some people, though, Black Friday camping has become a holiday tradition and time for family bonding akin to summer vacation.

Mike Urso, whose family was one of nine set up outside the Best Buy store on North Dale Mabry Highway on Sunday morning, said he's been camping for Black Friday for about 10 years.

"We meet new people out here every year," he said. "We have fun. The kids come out with the PlayStation, and we have a good family gathering."

Also at the Dale Mabry store, Tina Jones came over from LegoLand. She said those camped out on the sidewalk in front of the store all know each other.

"Every year, it's like, 'yay, long time no see,'" Jones said. "I raised my kids camping, and my son is 30-something years old. He'll be here. We set up every year. I always hurt myself somehow, but I'm still here."

Some campers have access to the store's electricity and equip their tents with TVs and other creature comforts. Kids play portable video games, board games and toss dice to stay entertained. School is out, so they don't have to be anywhere.

Some moms and dads go to their jobs while manning their tents in shifts. Many commute home to take showers.

All are keeping an eye on the forecast. And that looks pretty decent.

"Really, if you're going to be sitting in a tent all week, the weather will be just fine," Bay News 9 meteorologist Josh Linker said. "It'll be a little cool in the mornings, but no real threat for stormy weather.

"If you're tent is on the right side of the building, you'll be protected from the gusty wind we have out there."