Nathan Isabelle headed the line that extended the full length of the Old Navy Store and wound it way toward the side of the building.

With about 15 minutes to spare before the stand-alone store opened its doors at midnight, the Franklin man had been waiting with his hood up over his head since just before 10 p.m. to get his free LEGO Rock Band video game.

"Rock Band is insanity," Isabelle said as the people behind him in line agreed with whoops and cries.

The much-coveted video game, free for the first 50 people making a $20 purchase at Old Navy, was just one of the many ways Tanger retailers attracted throngs of people to their annual Midnight Madness Thanksgiving sale.

Over by the offices, Tanger Outlets Manager Eric Proulx manned the welcome desk and gave eager shoppers a Tanger bag for their purchases. The first 250 shoppers got their very own D.J. Plush Holiday Moose.

A large crowd awaits the midnight opening of Old Navy at the Tanger Outlet Mall in Tilton on 'Black Friday'. (Alan MacRae/for The Citizen)

Proulx said every year the midnight madness sale gets a little bigger and a little crazier. An airport search light beckoned cars with its light visible from as far away as Mosquito Bridge in Winnisquam. Holiday music played over the speakers

"This year 22 of our shops opened before midnight," Proulx said.

Caroline Gross of Ontario was sitting outside of Totes/ Sunglass World waiting for that store to open at midnight. Visiting her boyfriend for the weekend, she was hoping for a few pair of designer sunglasses to match the Coach pocketbook she bought earlier and stashed in the trunk of her car.

In the newest addition to the outlets, the Harley Davidson outlet store was packed with people taking advantage of the free tote bag with any $75 purchase.

Yankee Candle was so busy there was a waiting line practically extending out the door.

Store employees at the Coach Factory Outlet at the Tanger Outlet Mall in Tilton are busy at midnight on "Black Friday". (Alan MacRae/for The Citizen)

While people were out in force, the question asked of most retailers was, were they spending money or just looking?

"It's looking really good," said Samantha Dodge who manages Old Navy.

"Many have had to make two trips to their cars," she said, pointing to one woman waiting at the checkout juggling a stack of fleece jackets that was nearly two feet thick.

"Based off the preliminary feedback we received from many of the merchants earlier today, sales were robust and the people shopping during the pre-midnight to midnight hours were buying," said Proulx who went on to say if the spending trends continue at this pace, this year will surpass the past two for sales.

Even Isabelle decided to spend some money. Proudly brandishing his $20 LEGO Rock Band he also bought himself a pair of jeans and a shirt to be given as a present.

"But the game," she said. "The game is for me."